dp-PRO Articles

Scholarship Enables New Engineers Focused on Roadway Safety to attend ATSSA’s Convention & Traffic Expo
AN ICON in the roadway safety industry is paving the way for engineers new to that field. Marty Weed, a former Washington State Department of

Damage Prevention Hero – Geoff Zeiss, A True Visionary in the Geospatial Sector
GEOFF ZEISS HAS MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE GEOSPATIAL SOFTWARE INDUSTRY AND MORE THAN 15 YEARS WORKING WITH UTILITIES, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC

The National Rural Water Association – Strengthening State Associations & Rural Communities
THE NATIONAL Rural Water Association (NRWA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to training, supporting, and promoting the water and wastewater professionals that serve small and

Private Locates through One Call: MISS DIG 811 and Blood Hound Partnered to make a True “One Call” for all Utility Locating.
In 2018, MISS DIG 811 and Blood Hound Underground Utility Locators began discussing what the meaning of a “One Call system” entails. At the time,

EDUCATING & EMPOWERING – Safe Digging Advocates for the Ag Community
Imagine the power of one action setting off a chain of similar actions. Domino effects are scattered throughout history. The Pipeline Ag Safety Alliance (PASA)

Completing the Safety Puzzle: Attempting to Create, Grow and Sustain a Positive Safety Culture by getting Employees to buy into the Program.
“One of the toughest challenges that we face in attempting to create, grow, and sustain a positive safety culture is getting our employees to buy

Town Hall: Late Locates CAN IMPROVED COMMUNICATION BE A “SILVER BULLET?”
Moderator: Meghan Wade, President & CEO, Georgia 811 Panelists: • Louis Panzer, Executive Director, NC 811 • Bruce Campbell, CEO, MISS DIG 811 • James


Are Your Assets Protected?
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Asset Preservation Sewer collection systems, water systems, and the operational plants that treat water and sewer flow are comprised of billions
VIRGINIA NATURAL GAS Incorporates Artificial Intelligence to Protect Infrastructure
(Virginia Natural Gas) – Over the past decade, Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) has worked to modernize its pipeline infrastructure and has coordinated efforts with the
JUSTIN SELL NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR UNDERGROUND SAFETY ALLIANCE
The Board of Directors of Underground Safety Alliance (USA), the umbrella non-profit organization for Indiana 811 and Kentucky 811, announced in late February that Justin
Minnesota Infrastructure Given “C” Grade
A recent report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave the state of Minnesota a “C” grading for the state of their


Dig Safely New York Unveils New Name
Dig Safely New York, the nonprofit organization facilitating excavation safety through the 811 One Call Center and educational services in Upstate New York for more


BIDEN ADMINISTRATION Denies Gas Industry Request
The Biden Administration has denied a request from the American Petroleum Institute and GPA Midstream to delay by 3-5 years what it says will be


Water & Sewer Infrastructure Protection Summit
The 2022 Water & Sewer Infrastructure Summit took place March 2, during Global Excavation Safety Conference in Phoenix, AZ. This year’s primary topic was, “What


Excavator Perspective Summit
The 2022 Excavator Perspective Summit took place during The Global Excavation Safety Conference in Phoenix, AZ, at the beginning of March. Four excavation industry veterans,


The Power of Modern Mobile Devices
Advancements in mobile technology are driving innovation and transforming field operations. A mobile device with the right capabilities will transform the way your company gathers
Reader Response
The following LinkedIn exchange between several industry professionals resulted from an article published in the dp-PRO Special Locate Issue (The Global Locate Summit, page 30):


Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events Industry Events are Live Unless Noted as a Virtual Event. Be sure to Verify the Status of all Events you are Planning


Social Media
The NASTT 2022 No-Dig Show is the largest trenchless technology conference in North America, where thousands of professionals attend to learn new methods and techniques


From the Publisher – The Conference was Phenomenal!
The Global Excavation Safety Conference was a big success as evidenced by the headline quote above from Calressia Clark, PE, MBA, Director of Field Operations




2022 Town Hall Survey
Excavation Safety Alliance (ESA) virtual Town Halls are an open forum for all stakeholders to discuss concerns and present potential solutions to improve damage prevention


Locating – STOP, DROP, AND ROLL
I’ve been training locators for over 20 years now, a good amount of that time having been spent training technicians outside of my own company.


Pre-Excavation Checklist before EVERY Excavation!
IN THE OFFICE ❑ Review all drawings, plans, engineering blueprints for existing buried facilities ❑ Proposed excavation area has been marked in white paint and/or


Association Spotlight – AZUCA
AZUCA Arizona Chapter of NUCA – Representing Utility and Excavation Contractors THE ARIZONA UTILITY Contractors Association (AZUCA) rejoined the National Utility Contractors Association in April


Giving Back – Dealing with Mental Illness: A Journey to Health and Healing
I’D LIKE TO SHARE a personal story about myself with you all. This is separate from my role at Texas811. I make this clear distinction


The Global Locate Summit
Moderator: Ron Peterson – Executive Director, Nulca Panelists: – Jim Plasynski – Chief Revenue Officer, KorTerra – Donavon Busta – Regional Opeations Manager, Blood Hound


Global Locate Masters – A Champion is Crowned
Global Locate Masters – Hosted by UTTO, Sponsored by USIC The Inaugural Global Locate Masters took place in Phoenix, AZ at Global Excavation Safety Conference


Advances in GPR Array Data Processing a Boost to AR
It was not many years ago the first ads ran on television broadcasts for persons donning headsets for gaming and other activities. For some of
6 Tips to Ease Claims Damage Headaches
Everyone knows how important it is to avoid the damage and disruption of vital services such as water and internet—our communities depend on locate professionals


Top 10 Locator Safety Hazards
Confined Space Threats to the Eye Climate & Weather Dog Bits Punctures & Foot Trauma Poison Ivy & Other Skin Threats Insect Bites and Stings


The Look Up and Live app has been a successful innovation in Australia, receiving Many Innovation and Safety Awards
“Look up and live,” is a notable quote when it comes to powerline safety all over the world. It is easy to say, but in




Excavation Safety Alliance 2022 Town Hall Schedule
Excavation Safety Alliance (ESA) virtual Town Halls are an open forum for all stakeholders to discuss concerns and present potential solutions to improve damage prevention


Locator Safety & Appreciation Week 2022: How You and Your Company can celebrate
Always observed on the last full week of April, this year’s Locator Safety & Appreciation Week (LSAW) is April 24-30. LSAW is about letting locators
OHIO ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP GRANTS
The state of Ohio recently announced the 13 recipients of the industry sector partnership grants. The Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership (SCMWDP) was awarded


IUB RECEIVES TOP SCORES IN PHMSA EVALUATION
The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) received top scores from federal evaluators for its 2020 pipeline safety program activities. The evaluation was conducted in September by
Glen Cook Wins Synaco Safety Award
Glen Cook, a Principal Community Safety Specialist, won the prestigious Synaco Safety Award at the 2021 Queensland Community Achievement Awards in November. Cook has been


BLACKSTONE Acquires Irth Solutions
Blackstone Energy Partners announced in December an agreement to acquire Irth Solutions, a provider of cloud-based software solutions that automate processes for damage prevention and


Leading People – Been in MY Boots Lately?
CHANCES ARE IT DOES not require news of patriotic truckers, carried jerry cans like a scene from a movie, stand-offs in foreign countries, or some


Ask the DP Pro
Q How can Contractors Mitigate Risk on Trenchless Pipeline Projects? A BY James H. Anspach & Tom Olson RISK ON TRENCHLESS PROJECTS comes in various