Doing some home improvement? Call before you dig

(WKTV) - As soon as the cold weather breaks, spring will be upon us -- and that means construction season.

Workers in the excavating business gathered at SUNYIT on Wednesday to learn about safety procedures when on the job. The keynote speaker is from Upstate New York, but travels the world telling the story about how he almost died in a trench collapse in 2002. He's hoping to raise awareness on the importance of safety with his story.

'We're going to be doing a lot of excavation this year,' said Jim Flint, field representative for Dig Safely NY. '(Homeowners) can make that simple call to 811 to make sure they get their underground utility lines marked. It's a free call, free service. There's no reason not to do it.'

Homeowners should call Dig Safely New York three days before construction is supposed to start.