Spring has sprung…sort of. Snow has melted, then fallen again, then melted again, then fallen again, in an endless cycle until excavators and homeowners alike throw their hands up in exasperation and collectively decide to just start digging!

As the snow melts, homeowners start to think about outdoor yard projects. We happily stare out the window envisioning the new deck, garden, gazebo, fence, play structure and firepits. Maybe the old tree needs to be replaced with a younger, greener model? Spring is a time for endless possibilities, and we start watching YouTube and DIY channels then head in droves to the local Home Depot or Canadian Tire to buy tools and materials to create our perfect home oasis.

Given the proliferation of QR Codes, I recently developed the ClickBeforeYouDig QR Code and strongly suggest it be incorporated in all damage prevention awareness programs and promotional documentation. It has been provided to the CSA Group with a suggestion to incorporate it into CSA Z662 – the Safe Design, Construction & Maintenance of Pipeline Systems, and CSA Z247 – Damage Prevention for the Protection of Underground Infrastructure, and to the Canadian Common Ground Alliance Best Practices Committee. 

“I was brought up in a business world, and I always believed that if you say you're going to do something, you do it,” says Chad. “And I had no idea how to do it. But we work through that and I've got an amazing team now that has helped me.”

Inspired by sidewalk and road chalk art, TC Energy’s 2023 DigSafe Month display at their headquarters in Calgary, Alberta is a one-of-a-kind. The three-dimensional-looking display draws attention to digging hazards and engages onlookers to take a brief safe digging survey via a QR code.

Did you know Utility Safety Partners is the registered owner of the ClickBeforeYouDig trademark in Canada and the United States? USP also hosts and maintains the ClickBeforeYouDig.com website. We audit all links quarterly and update as necessary but if you notice a broken link, please email info@utilitysafety.ca and we'll repair it right away.

On March 28 and 29, 225 people from across Alberta attended Utility Safety Partners' first Unified Safety Conference in the City of Red Deer! A sincere thank you to Utility Safety Partners' Education & Awareness Committee for its hard work to bring the first conference under the USP banner to life. It was wonderful to see our own Kassi Zaba recognized for her hard work and leadership bringing the conference together when she was made an honorary Keeper of the Grey Cup by Mr. Jeff McWhinney — the Official Keeper of the Cup! 

On April 3, USP’s Safety Ambassadors hit the road, ready to spread awareness about utility safety and the damage prevention process. We welcomed three new ambassadors to the team this year and expanded into the Central Alberta and Grande Prairie regions. Each ambassador brings a wealth of knowledge to the team and is a great in-the-field resource for anyone working near underground or overhead utilities.