dp-PRO Articles
Video Vault
The Excavation Safety Alliance (ESA) is a virtual community for everyone interested in safe excavation and damage prevention. ESA provides free education via videos, podcasts
So You’re Going to Be a Witness: Preparing for and Testifying at Trial
You have done your investigation, you have testified at a deposition, mediation has failed, and now you are going to trial. These tips may help
How to Develop a Lone Worker Safety Program Without Breaking the Bank
With an unprecedented number of employees now working alone or remotely, it is the employers’ responsibility to put a program in place to protect these
How to Improve Worker Safety in Excavation Projects
According to the survey results, over 70 percent of respondents think they qualified as a competent person for trench work. But what does a competent
How to Work Safely Near Underwater Pipelines and Utilities
In MARCH 2009, a group of companies met with a mission to identify, trend, and explore common industry issues in preventing coastal and marine pipeline
Trenching and Excavating Procedures and Safety Considerations
More than 800 construction workers are involved in accidents each year on the job. Of these accidents, approximately 40 workers are involved in an incident
Being A Safe Digging Partner
We have all heard the phrase, “Safe digging is a shared responsibility,” and most of us are committed to doing our share. Sometimes, however, it
Five Uses of GPR for Civil Engineering and Damage Prevention
There are several technologies that can improve revenue and growth for engineering firms in the damage prevention industry. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) may be the
The Importance of Field Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the way you use your body to work and fitting the job or task to you to reduce your risk of injury. The
Digging Deep into Depth Estimates
For several reasons, including signal strength and shape, the electronic depth estimate provided by locate equipment is not guaranteed. A depth estimate provided by the
Global Locate Masters
The Inaugural Global Locate Masters (GLM) is schedule to take place during Damage Prevention Week at the 2022 Global Excavation Safety Conference in Phoenix, Arizona
Understanding the Marks
Operator markings of facilities include the following: • The appropriate color for their facility type • Their company identifier (name, initials, or abbreviation) when other
Tips for Selecting Protective Footwear
Workplace foot injuries are common in many industries. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2018 there were over 900,000 workplace
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
Pre-Excavation Documentation
Once excavation begins, the scene changes forever. For this reason, pre-excavation documentation should be collected. In a court case, good pre-excavation documentation may not guarantee
Be Ready for All Fall Risks While on the Job
Fall protection involves far more than preventing a worker from falling at the work site. It should include protecting workers from falling into belowground spaces
The Big Picture on Small Excavations
Most people associate excavation with large construction equipment digging giant trenches or big holes. But there are many “small digs” that are performed every day
CGA’s 2017 Communications Plan and Calendar
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is gearing up for 2017! CGA released its seventh consecutive Communications Plan and Calendar via webinar in December to guide
Locating – Building a Case
One of the problems the locating trade faces is the perception that our job is easy. From the outside looking in, an excavator contacts the
Association Spotlight
Ngā mihi nui kia koutou (Greetings to you all from New Zealand). Many of us who have been involved on the ground floor of underground
Leading People – CONTACT Brought You into This World
In Southern homes, a momma might say, “I brought you into this world, don’t make me take you out of it!” Even if one is
Giving Back
American Trails “We will be known by the tracks we leave behind” – Dakota proverb American Trails, a national nonprofit, has launched a new grant
CGA Releases 2019 DIRT Report
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) published the 2019 edition of the annual DIRT Report at the end of October. This marks the sixteenth publication of
New Field Data Collection Technology Simplifies Asset Management
Field data collection is an essential component for many field workers across multiple industries. Industries such as utilities, survey companies, airports, local governments, and others
Fatal Marine Tragedy
Fatal Tragedy Strikes as Online Training Rolls Out Four crewmen are dead due to a cutter suction dredge that struck a propane pipeline August 21,
New York 811 Leaps into the Future
New York 811 Leaps into the Future New York 811 is excited to introduce a leap into the future for utility damage prevention. In partnership
Montana Mandates the Submission of Accurate As-Builts by Utility Owners
MOST UNDERGROUND UTILITY DAMAGE DURING CONSTRUCTION is attributable to incomplete, inaccurate and out-of-date records and network documentation. This is the result of an inefficient, error-prone,
Next Generation Cold-Weather Footwear to Ensure Worker Safety
As the seasons change, they bring a new set of challenges and potential hazards to the jobsite. As a safety professional, it is essential to
Embracing the Suck: Embracing the Idea of True Fatigue Management
My portfolio is filled with a very diverse set of careers and because of that, I can speak firsthand when I say the most important
Natural Gas Transporter Uses Geofencing to Share Safe Digging Message
AS A LEADING transporter of natural gas to America’s heartland, one of Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline’s passions is finding new and creative ways to
CenterPoint Energy gets Tastefully Creative with 8/11 Day Outreach
TO CELEBRATE 8/11 DAY, CenterPoint Energy partnered with Kona Ice trucks in select cities across their eight-state territory to deliver ice cream treats to local
Using Data and Trends to Make Decisions
Using Data and Trends to Make Decisions ADVERTISING IS not my strong suit, but when it comes to using data and trends to make decisions,
Private Utilities: Wait a Minute, they did NOT Locate Everything? Call 811 Before You DIG!
Wait a Minute, they did not Locate Everything? I would like to say a lot has changed about communication of existing private utilities in the
Excavation Safety: Mobile Automation of your Pre-Excavation Checklist
Mobile automation of your pre-excavation checklist helps reduce incident rates. Entering data into a pre-excavation checklist app, rather than a paper form, allows for real-time
Working in the Pandemic – How we Moved the Entire Work Force from the Office to the Home
When the pandemic hit, many businesses closed down and others rushed to set up a workfrom- home infrastructure. We count ourselves fortunate that 811 was
Damage Prevention and Worker Safety – Two Sides of the Important Coin for Water Workers
For a long time, those working in the larger water industry have provided a service that many of us take for granted. We expect to
MISS DIG 811 Creates a Collection of Online Tools called e-Suite
The dig season in Michigan that takes place during the spring and summer months is brief, but hectic. There isn’t much time to schedule and