2020 Q3 Issue
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2020 Q3 Issue Articles
Reducing Underground Utility Damage during Construction
The $10 trillion global construction industry is facing a crisis. For many of the world’s advanced economies including Japan, Germany, U.S., South Korea, and U.K.,
The True Cost of Pipeline Protection
BUILDING PIPELINES IS EXPENSIVE. That is likely not news to you, but it bears repeating to set the stage for a conversation about the ways
A Year in the Life of a Liaison: My Rookie Season Ends
Part 3 My first-year journey with NC811 is quickly approaching its end. Not my career, but my rookie year of being the Western Region Education
Positive Social Feedback Loop
After implementing the last Behavioral Based Safety (BBS) Program at a new site, I found myself asking… What is the next step? Continually fascinated by
Walking in Her Boots – A Day in an Urban Locator’s Boots
THE MORNING SUN MAKES its appearance over the horizon and Paula is already getting herself and her equipment ready for a day of locating. With
Protecting Workers and Protecting Utilities
EXCAVATION SAFETY: PROTECTING WORKERS. PROTECTING UTILITIES. Construction work can be dangerous, and underground construction work can pose even more risk. Cave-ins can be the most
How Can Field Data Be Used to Drive Actions Throughout the Company?
From the moment we roll out of bed we are surrounded by data and the actions taken because of it. There is the weekly forecast
Locating – It’s not a Contest
It’s not a CONTEST For several years in the early 2000s I had the pleasure of volunteering with the International Locate Rodeo. It was always
Canadian Perspective
The Quest for One Call’s Holy Grail: A Standardized Ticket “THEY HAVE TRIED FOR 25 YEARS. IT CAN’T BE DONE.” I heard that in 2016
Water Infrastructure and Damage Prevention: A Global Perspective
Water Infrastructure and Damage Prevention: A Global Perspective NATURAL AND MANMADE bodies of water play a premier role in the equitable balance of human/animal/plant earthly
PATROLLER PROGRAM DRIVES IMPROVED DAMAGE PREVENTION
I am sure many readers have been tasked with reducing damages, but why is that so important? Damage to underground facilities by excavators is a
Damage Prevention Requires Looking Overhead as well as Underground
THERE IS AN OLD TERM I HAVE USED FOR YEARS in lecturing about fiber optics that most cable damage is called “backhoe fade.” At one
Damage Prevention… the Chicago Way
The city of Chicago is a tremendous place. Founded in 1833, the “Windy City” has always been a town that leans into challenges. When a
Is Your Board Planning for Excellence?
The damage prevention industry has seen tremendous positive change in its history as 811 centers have grown in influence and effectiveness because of advances in
Introduction to GIS
My Introduction to GIS Looking back, I can remember the first time I ever heard the term, GIS. A 19-year-old sophomore attending Radford University, I
Private Utility Locating and Cross Bore Risks
It’s difficult to discuss oil and gas in a magazine that focuses on damage prevention without discussing cross bores. A cross bore is defined as
The Roundtable Live!
(September 24th at Planet Underground, Manteno, IL) PLANET UNDERGROUND was founded on the simple concept that the contractor is not the problem, they are the
2021 Global Locate Masters
Locate Technicians Invited to Compete in a Tournament that Promises to Test and Celebrate Locate Excellence The Inaugural Global Locate Masters is set to
Celebrate Damage Prevention Week
TAKING PLACE MARCH 22 – 28, Damage Prevention Week™ (DPW) is the perfect setting to bring together major industry stakeholders to discuss new ideas. Face
Finding the RIGHT Virtual Event for YOU!
In today’s world, more and more event providers are turning to virtual events for a very simple reason – they have no choice. These events
Public Awareness
Fiber Optic Association Celebrates 25th Anniversary The Fiber Optic Association (FOA) was founded in 1995 by more than a dozen prominent fiber optics trainers
Association Spotlight
GPR Consortium: A Trade Association for GPR Professionals A KEY COMPONENT to any safe excavation is knowing what lies below. This involves many steps, one
Giving Back
Larry Wilkin: Animal lover, Damage Prevention Specialist and Volunteer of the Year PROTECTING COMMUNITIES by promoting safe digging is not enough for Larry Wilkin of
Solving the Underground Construction Worker Shortage through Collaborative Training and Industry Rebranding
Uncovering the Next GENERATION of Workers With millions of people forced to work or learn from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s
Case Histories of Gas Line Damage and Gas Explosions
It is important to conduct full investigations when gas line damage and a resulting gas explosion occur. Bison Engineering has conducted extensive research on this
From the Publisher
Focusing on a Safe and Healthy Learning Environment As I alluded in my column last issue, Infrastructure Resources, in its mission to save lives through
Digital Days of Education Highlights
In April, Infrastructure Resources offered Digital Days of Education to registered 2020 Excavation Safety Full Conference delegates. There was tremendous response from delegates, and what
A Unique Approach to Engage the Agricultural Community
Pipeline Ag Safety Alliance (PASA), a public awareness enhancement program, began in 2015 when a group of utility operators came together to find a better
Damage Prevention Hero – Dominic Puiu
“TENACIOUS. INTELLIGENT. PASSIONATE. HARDWORKING. MOTIVATED. THAT’S DOMINIC PUIU,” SAYS PAUL NEWMAN, GENERAL MANAGER OF DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG QUEENSLAND. IF THERE IS A SINGLE THROUGHLINE
Educating today’s Youth for a Safer Future
Creating future safety ambassadors through TC Energy’s Youth Energy Safe Program. Safe digging is an ongoing topic of concern in damage prevention, and for good
THE ROUNDTABLE 2020 POSITION PAPER
As another “action” component to the industry topics discussed at The Roundtable, Planet Underground brought together industry leaders from all over the country to discuss
Why the Pandemic Makes Utility Damage Prevention More Important Than Ever
The COVID-19 stay-at-home orders have posed unplanned challenges for the utilities and midstream asset operators responsible for protecting critical infrastructure. Not only are utilities operating
Effective Communication with Excavators
One of the weakest links in the damage prevention industry’s One Call process is ineffective communication. Effective communication depends on the entire communication chain, which
Taking the Uncertainty Out of 3D GPR Array Integration in SUE
The fundamental core of the SUE profession is a complete understanding of the principle of uncertainty. The SUE professional whether a licensed Professional Engineer or