Utility Safety Partners (USP) has unveiled an exciting new scholarship program aimed at supporting the next generation of safety professionals. This initiative reflects USP’s commitment to fostering education and awareness in utility safety, helping to build a safer future for communities across the nation.

From April 14 to 15, 2025, safety and damage prevention professionals will come together in Breaking the Ice, Building a Stronger Community at the 2025 Utility Safety Conference at the JW Marriott in Edmonton. This two-day conference kicks off with training opportunities offered at a discount by our partners in USP’s Training Standards Committee. Attendees who register for the Ground Disturbance 101, Ground Disturbance 201, or Locating 101 course will receive an industry recognized certificate of completion at the end of the course.

In February, USP’s Education & Awareness Committee is excited to host four Farmer Safety Breakfasts across Alberta. These events are tailored specifically for Alberta’s farmers and landowners, offering valuable, practical information that directly impacts their daily operations. This year’s breakfasts will feature a range of three to four informative presentations, delivered by experts from various sectors, including utility owners, energy professionals, safety specialists, and key stakeholders in damage prevention. Each session is designed to equip attendees with the latest safety practices when working around both underground and overhead facility lines, along with helpful tips on what to expect when requesting a line locate. But it doesn’t stop there!

Between November 2023 and the end of 2024, USP ran a pilot project with some of our asset-owner members who operate overhead utilities. After analyzing the results of the pilot, the asset owners determined that they would not continue the pilot in 2025.

New year, new U…SP!

The holidays are done and gone, and we’re all back to the grind. What a grind it is this season!

We’re full-bore on a brand-new CRM deployment this winter, with the modern Intercom software being integrated with our internal systems to replace an aging and outmoded iteration. We’re extremely excited to see this software take our Support Team to the next level! Updated chat procedures, more streamlined email support, SMS, social and messenger integration, I’m getting all bothered just thinking about it.

The Safety Moment is Utility Safety Partners' podcast series dedicated to discussing critical topics in utility safety. Hosted by USP president, Mike Sullivan, the series offers short, insightful episodes designed to raise awareness, educate, and inspire action to promote safety around utility operations and safety in general.

I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors and I love where I live – near the banks of the Bow River. The walking paths can take me anywhere for as long or as short as I want. And I’m equally thankful to the City of Calgary for keeping those paths as clear as possible during winter (although I really wish we didn’t have to deal with the ice).

Yep, it's true.

How do the various integrity personnel interact with one another: employees, contractors, consultants, and vendors? Each has data, experience, expertise, and opinions to contribute. How do these come together in making decisions?