Investing in your Safety

Mike Sullivan - President - Utility Safety Partners

Securing a locate of buried utilities before initiating excavation projects in Alberta not only ensures your safety but can also lead to substantial cost savings. The process of securing utility locates is free when coordinated through Utility Safety Partners' Click Before You Dig. In contrast, the repercussions of damaging underground utilities can be financially severe and pose significant safety risks (see “The Cost of Doing Nothing”).

Financial Implications of Utility Damage:

• Repair Costs: Each year, Albertans incur over $350 million in expenses to repair damages caused by unintentional strikes to underground utilities. ​
• Individual Incident Expenses: According to Bess Utility Solutions, a single utility strike can result in repair costs ranging up to $56,000, encompassing direct repair expenses, project delays, and increased insurance premiums. Damaging a high-pressure transmission pipeline would be substantially higher.

Cost-Benefit Analysis:

Securing locates prior to a ground disturbance yields a favorable return on investment. For every dollar allocated to professional utility locating, projects can save more than four times that amount by averting potential damages and associated downtime.

Additional Considerations:

Beyond the direct financial savings, obtaining utility locates contributes to:

• Safety: Preventing accidents that could lead to injuries or fatalities.​
• Project Efficiency: Minimizing unexpected delays and disruptions.
• Legal Compliance: Adhering to regulations that mandate the identification of underground utilities before excavation.​

The modest time and effort invested in securing utility locates before digging are vastly outweighed by the potential financial and safety benefits. Engaging in this proactive measure not only safeguards against substantial repair costs but also ensures the well-being of workers and the community.