USP Industry Recognition Awards – Locator of the Year

By Sher Kirk, Operations Director, Utility Safety Partners 

Last month, we posted an article announcing the new Utility Safety Partner Industry Recognition Awards, with a spotlight on Excavator of the Year. This month’s focus is Locator of the Year.

In late September, the following guidelines and nomination forms will be posted on utilitysafety.ca and nominations will open in October:

Program Overview
Utility Safety Partners (USP) wants to recognize locators in Alberta that represent the fundamental principles of safety, advocacy and participation that make up USP’s core values. Each year, USP will award the title of Locator of the Year to one deserving recipient.

You may nominate a peer or industry colleague, an organization or you may self-nominate to be considered for the Locator of the Year. Review the criteria below and if this sounds like you or someone you know, complete and submit the Nomination Form between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. 

Criteria and Qualifications
Minimum Requirements

• At least two years’ experience locating and marking buried utilities
• Knowledge of applicable legislation and regulations
• Knowledge of applicable best practices
• Have performed a minimum of 100 locates during the application year

Additional criteria

In addition to the minimum requirements, consideration will be given to the following:

• Level of training 
• Engagement with the locating and marking community 
• Investigative experience
• Knowledge of locating techniques for multiple facility types (e.g. transmission pipelines versus shallow utilities, rural versus civic, etc.)

USP Programs and Participation

• Registration in and use of the Alberta DIRT (Damage Information Reporting Tool)
• Membership with USP in good standing (either individually or as a member of an organization)
• Membership in CAPULC
• Participation on USP Committees
• Participation in industry events and webinars
• Facilitating or sponsoring public programs or community events
• Social media presence and engagement with USP channels
• Promoting ClickBeforeYouDig and process through advertising, fleet vehicle stickers, promotional items, etc.
• Building positive relationships within the digging and damage prevention community

Next month: Member of the Year