Utility Safety Partners (USP) and PelicanCorp have been working hard to finalize the Positive Response system for its use in Western Canada. Positive Response allows locators to record the status of a locate in the Before You Dig Partners (BYDP) ticket software. This record of locate closes the communication loop between locators and excavators and reduces the risk of miscommunication about the location of facilities in the work area.

Alberta’s electric utilities all agree that they would rather be contacted directly first if someone is unsure how much clearance to maintain under their lines. Power lines are many different voltages, each with its own safe limit of approach. Environmental factors such as moisture and heat can also affect limits of approach.

The mantra started by Alberta’s utilities working collaboratively asks, “Where’s the Line?” It is also promoted by the Utility Safety Partners who have expanded the question to include other lines like gas, telecommunication, pipeline, water, etc.

In 2021, a total of 31,899 training certificates were issued for completing endorsed training programs in Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba combined. With an increase in the number of endorsed training programs available, along with launch of new initiatives, the TSC expects this number to grow in 2022. 

Like the rest of the industry, the TSC is a strong supporter of April being DigSafe Month. DigSafe Month coincides with the unofficial start of the spring digging season and is the perfect opportunity to share the damage prevention message with not only co-workers, but also friends and family.

Yes, it’s Spring! USP’s hiring spate was extremely successful and we have kept in stride as the pace quickens with the approach to April. Our volumes have increased in near lock-step with our staffing, and we’ve found ourselves in the wonderful position of giving our new trainees enough to do without overwhelming them. In the words of the immortal “Hannibal” Smith, “I love it when a plan comes together!”

Look out your window and what do you see? Chances are you’re looking at other buildings, homes and businesses throughout your community. Do you ever stop to think about what’s linking all those together? Buried beneath the ground and in many communities, overhead, is a vast network of utilities delivering energy and utility services that help preserve our way of life and keeping them safe from damage is critical to our survival.

With Spring just around the corner, the DigSafe Ambassadors are gearing up for another season of cruising around the Calgary and Edmonton areas.

The Ambassadors have extensive damage prevention and safety knowledge and are eager to raise awareness about working safely near underground and overhead energy and utility assets to protect workers and prevent damages to these critical assets.

The first significant effort to secure “One-Call Legislation” for Alberta began in the 1990s. The Task Force assembled to do so was formidable but at the end of the day, the government at the time wasn’t convinced that it was necessary. But, times change. Back then, reliance on telecommunications systems for business, financial transactions, health and safety wasn’t what it is today. A damaged telecom line in the ‘90s might have interrupted Hockey Night in Canada whereas today, it can interrupt the supply chain to an entire community, eliminate 911 services, and paralyze local economies.