dp-PRO Articles
Minnesota Pilot Program Update: GPS Enabled Locating Systems
The first and ongoing phase of the Minnesota Underground Utility Mapping Project Team (UUMPT) was to introduce two leading GPS underground utility locating systems to
Canadian Association of Women in Construction
THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION of Women in Construction (CAWIC) strives to facilitate the success of women in the Canadian construction industry by uniting their voices, knowledge,
Locator Certification vs. Locator Competency
The topic of Locator Certification versus Locator Competency has been a debated topic for many years and, more recently, a “hot topic” in the Underground
Locator Certification – An Australian Success Story
In Australia, the Certified Locator program has been running successfully since 2015. The national program was established following concerns from utility owners about the inconsistency
The Legend of Bad Digger Bob
Many years ago, Bob Smith was one of the premier operators of heavy equipment used for excavations. Bob’s name was synonymous with quick, efficient and
Steps for Overcoming a First Amendment Audit in the Field
It’s your first locate of the day. The address is a small commercial building on a side street a few blocks from city hall. You
Grafton Technologies Teams up with Norfield to Create Operational Efficiencies
Grafton Technologies Inc. has provided broadband, television, and telephone services to the residents of Illinois for over 100 years. Throughout that time, the world of
Is there a Standard for Fiber Optic Installation?
With heightened public interest and many newcomers joining national efforts to close the digital divide in America by bringing broadband access through fiber optics to
Are You Sure THAT’S RIGHT?
If a new employee headed out to the job site carrying flags and paint when you knew he was supposed to be locating telecom cables,
Damage Prevention Hero – Jim Hayes – An Influential Leader in the Fiber Optics Industry
JIM HAYES, AND HIS WIFE KAREN, BEGAN THEIR CAREER IN FIBER OPTICS IN 1980, WITH THE CREATION OF THE WORLD’S FIRST FIBER OPTIC TEST EQUIPMENT
Ask the DP Pro
Q What is the “Danger Zone” when a Gas Line is Fractured? A BY David Heldenbrand, Bison Engineering, Inc. DATA HAS BEEN COLLECTED that shows
Fiber Builds with Damage Prevention as a High Priority: A Case Study of Effective Partnerships
In recent years, fiber builds have become one of the main topics of concern at national, state, and regional damage prevention, UCC, and 811 center
NUCA STAR Program Shines Brightly For Our Industry’s Safe Jobsites
With our members, jobsite safety is paramount. Bluntly put, excavations can injure or kill, so nothing is more important than keeping everyone safe on a
From the Publisher – GOOD Locators & Listening To All Stakeholders
GOOD Locators & Listening To All Stakeholders At Infrastructure Resources (IR) we have always believed locating and locate technicians are a critical part of damage
Tips for getting the Most out of attending a Conference
STRENGTHENING EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS AND MEETING NEW PEOPLE you can learn from happen best in face-to-face situations, which is an irreplaceable part of live conferences. This
Calendar of Events
January 2023 17-19 World of Concrete (Las Vegas, NV) 24-26 Louisiana Damage Prevention Summit (Baton Rouge, LA) 24-27 API / AGA Joint Committee on Pipeline
Pipeline Task Force Update
The Pipeline Task Force (PTF), a subset of The Council for Dredging & Marine Construction Safety (CDMCS) and Coastal and Marine Operators (CAMO), is a
The Benefits of a Rigorous Utility Investigation for Project Development
There are several risks that might prevent a project from being completed in a safe manner, on time and within the construction budget. These risks
DAMAGE PREVENTION BY DESIGN
A few weeks ago, I was reminded of a story that I read as a child titled “The Ants and the Grasshopper.” The short of
CGA’s Next Practices Initiative
Legendary management consultant W. Edwards Deming once said, “A system must be managed. It will not manage itself. Left to themselves, components become selfish, competitive,
Leveraging Technology to Speed Up Locates
Locate requests not being completed on time continues to be a challenge within the damage prevention industry, according to the CGA 2020 DIRT Report. The
EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDEBOOK
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) provides first responders with a go-to manual to help deal with hazmat
Geoff Zeiss’ Memory Lives on through Research Fund
For over 30 years, Geoff Zeiss devoted his life to the Geospatial industry and community across the world. It was a life focused on the
KOHLBERG & COMPANY TO ACQUIRE 50% STAKE IN USIC
Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm, has agreed to sell 50% of United States Infrastructure Corporation (USIC) to Kohlberg & Company, a leading
Damage Prevention Hero – Glen “Cookie” Cook – An Innovator and Driver of Energy Queensland Initiatives
GLEN “COOKIE” COOK IS A PASSIONATE POWERLINE SAFETY ADVOCATE. HE IS CURRENTLY A PRINCIPAL COMMUNITY SAFETY SPECIALIST FOR ENERGY QUEENSLAND WITH CLOSE TO 30 YEARS
Your Role in RECOVERY
STORM SEASON is upon us and whether the weather is quiet or active, it affects your role, position, and operations. How do you recover? What
Updated API Standard for Pipeline Public Awareness Programs Enhances Public Safety
On August 11, 2022, “National Call Before You Dig” day, the American Petroleum Institute (API) released an updated standard for pipeline public awareness programs, which
Introduction to APGA
THE AMERICAN PUBLIC GAS ASSOCIATION (APGA) is the only trade association that solely represents the interests of public gas systems at the legislative and regulatory
2022 Damage Prevention Hero of the Year
Ketha Molina (Spring, 2022) An Unrivaled Commitment to a Culture of Safety. Ketha Molina is the Senior Damage Prevention Manager for Texas811, Vice President
From the Publisher – Saving Lives Through Education
Our mission at Infrastructure Resources (IR) is “Saving Lives through Education™”, which is reflected in everything we do, including dp-PRO magazine. The magazine launched in
A Damage Prevention View of the Infrastructure Bill: What we know so far and how to ready your Organization for its Impact
The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Bill, signed into law in November 2021, includes $550 billion in new federal investments for roads, bridges, water infrastructure, internet, and
Meet Buxus™: Information the Way Emergency Responders Want (and Need) It
Firefighters across the United States are all-hazards responders. From medical calls to fires, firefighters respond to anything and everything 24/7. Some incident types are low-risk,
An Assessment of Societal Risk and the Cost of Saving Lives
During the period of 1994-2013, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials and Safety Administration (PHMSA) collected data on natural gas pipeline accidents considered significant. The resulting
ESA Late Locates: The Conversation Continues
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the April town hall, Late Locates: Partnering with Notification Centers. After listening to the recording, I would like to
ESA Town Hall Discussions (May, June, and July)
How can SUE and Accurate Maps Be Used to Reduce Both Damages and Costs? Moderator: Daniel Bigman, President, Bigman Geophysical Panelists: • Barbara Cederberg, COO,
The 2022 Pipeline Awareness & Safety Summit Focuses on the Role of Field Data
Moderator: Kesley Tweed – Executive Director, PAPA Panelists: Tina Beach – Representative, Government Relations Senior, CHS Chad Shannon – Business Development Manager, MEA Energy Association
Damage Prevention Goes Offshore
As the Council for Dredging & Marine Construction Safety Pipeline Task Force meetings in New Orleans came to an end, attendees were invited by Weeks
Pipeline Task Force
The Council for Dredging & Marine Construction Safety (CDMSC) and Coastal and Marine Opera- tors (CAMO) pipeline groups are the leaders for raising safety standards
Safe Digging?
What is Safe Digging? We have all heard the phrase “safe digging” from excavators, utility companies, and regulators, but do we really understand and work