Utility Safety Partners presented the USP Industry Recognition Awards for Excavator of the Year, Locator of the Year and Member of the Year at our Safety Conference in Edmonton on April 14th.

The ‘USPY’s” (as we affectionately call them) shine a light on those who believe that damage prevention is a shared responsibility, who engage with others to drive continuous improvement, and who raise the bar for others.

What do jazz percussion and damage prevention data have in common? Turns out, quite a lot. In episode 68 of the Safety Moment Podcast by Utility Safety Partners, host Mike Sullivan reconnects with an industry legend—JD Maniscalco, former President and CEO of Colorado 811 and one of the brilliant minds behind the groundbreaking Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT). What follows is a compelling, funny, and thought-provoking conversation that spans decades of innovation, friendship, and a shared passion for making the world safer—one locate request at a time.

Spring has sprung, for real!

It took a little while this year however. 2024 was very dry and somewhat warm, while 2025 has been…well frankly it’s been a little all over the place. While ground crews (bless ‘em) work rain (or snow) or shine, Homeowners tend to wait for a few days of sun and the first buds to pop out before deluging us with calls. While we haven’t seen volume explode quite yet (though we are very close), we know that it is coming. We once again wait here, crouched and ready, with bated breath and gritted teeth, because those of us who have been here before know what is to come.

From experience, I know that joining an existing working group can be an exciting but daunting task. The dynamics and relationships within the team are already established, and entering this environment can feel like navigating a complex maze. However, with the right approach and attitude, you can integrate smoothly and become a valuable member of the group without causing disruption. Here’s how:

A few weeks ago, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) recognized the 50th anniversary of One Call Systems International (OCSI) at its 2025 CGA Conference to honor the pivotal role OCSI has played in the development and global promotion of safe excavation practices and underground damage prevention. Notification Centre leaders across North America were presented with a memento marking the anniversary.

The 2025 Utility Safety Conference, held at the JW Marriott ICE District in Edmonton, was a resounding success, bringing together over 200 industry professionals for two days of education, collaboration, and celebration. This year's theme, "Breaking the Ice, Building a Stronger Community," truly encapsulated the spirit of the event.

Promoting safety awareness isn’t easy. We take our safety for granted. Despite the ample warnings and resources devoted to developing and promoting awareness campaigns, “It couldn’t happen to me” is what we often hear (or think).

I’ve been around long enough to have witnessed many campaigns over the years. Some were good. Some were really good. And some, well, they weren’t any good at all.

When executing any excavation project, safety and precision are paramount. Click Before You Dig to request line locates is just one of the important steps in keeping yourself and others around you safe when undertaking ground disturbance.  After line locates are complete, hand exposing is the next essential step to confirm the exact location of buried lines.