811 Safety Decal Coming Soon to New Farm Equipment
An 811 safety decal will soon become a familiar sight on new agricultural equipment sold across the United States. On August 10, 2026, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) announced a partnership to expand safe digging reminders throughout the industry. Together, the two organizations adopted a Statement of Shared Principles, and their first tangible action asks manufacturers to add an 811 safety decal to equipment that could strike buried utilities. The goal is simple: remind every operator to call 811 before turning soil.
Why the 811 Safety Decal Matters for Farmers
Farmers work close to underground infrastructure far more often than many realize. From tile installation and drainage work to fence construction and general field activities, common tasks can put buried lines at risk. Consequently, striking a gas, power, or communication line can trigger outages, service interruptions, and serious injury or even death.
The numbers underscore the stakes. In 2025 alone, an estimated 213,985 damages to underground infrastructure were reported across the country. Because failure to call 811 remains the top driver of these strikes, the reminder aims to reach operators before a shovel ever hits the ground.
“Our members build the machines that build, feed and power the world, and safety is central to that work,” said Megan Tanel, AEM president and CEO. “Adding an 811 decal is a simple, visible way for equipment manufacturers to remind operators to contact 811 before digging or working near underground infrastructure. We are proud to work with CGA to help share this important safety message across the industry.”
How the New Best Practice Will Work
Under the recommendation, the 811 safety decal could appear on all applicable new equipment sold into the U.S. market by August 2027. For new machines, participating manufacturers will apply the decal right on the production line. Meanwhile, the best practice does not stop with new equipment.
Owners of machines already in the field can act too. They can request a no-cost license from CGA to reproduce the official 811 decal and retrofit their existing fleets. As a result, older tractors, loaders, and implements can carry the same lifesaving message. Program details, artwork, and licensing information are available through CGA.
The initiative frames equipment operators as the last line of defense against underground utility strikes. Both organizations’ boards endorsed the effort, signaling broad industry support.
A Shared Responsibility Beyond the Jobsite
Organizers stress that safe digging is not only a construction concern. Farmers and other agricultural operators face real risk in fields, farmyards, and rural rights-of-way. Therefore, this simple reminder carries weight well beyond traditional job sites.
“Preventing damage to underground infrastructure is a shared responsibility, and this best practice will remind equipment operators closest to the dig to contact 811 before starting their work,” said Sarah K. Magruder Lyle, president and CEO of the Common Ground Alliance. “When non-road equipment manufacturers stand with us, we reach operators before a shovel ever hits the ground. That’s how we reduce our top driver of damages every year, which is failure to contact 811 before digging.”
Manufacturers see their role clearly. “As manufacturers, we provide the equipment, so we have a role to play in reminding every operator to contact 811 if the ground is not clearly marked for utilities,” said Kevin Thomas, executive vice president, Industrial Equipment Division, at Alamo Group Inc. and 2027 show chair of The Utility Expo. Additionally, he noted that visitors will see the decal on machines across the show floor at The Utility Expo 2027, a clear signal that the industry takes damage prevention seriously.
What Comes Next for the 811 Safety Decal
The 811 safety decal marks an early step in a longer partnership between AEM and CGA. Both groups plan to work together beyond this single initiative to advance consistent safety guidance, expand education, and promote practical damage-prevention tools. For farmers, the message stays refreshingly simple. Call 811, wait for utilities to be marked, and then dig with confidence. As the decal rolls out toward the 2027 target, growers can expect more visible reminders on the machines they rely on every day. Ultimately, this small sticker could prevent injuries, protect rural communities, and keep critical utilities running. Source: Association of Equipment Manufacturers and Common Ground Alliance.
To learn more about the 811 safety decal program, artwork, and licensing details, visit the Common Ground Alliance website.