Download the Latest Canadian DIRT Report

The Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) is an initiative of the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) designed to capture data following reports of damage to buried facilities from excavation activities. DIRT allows industry stakeholders in Canada and the United States to submit data anonymously to a comprehensive database. The database is used to identify the characteristics, themes and contributing factors leading to damages. Such findings are summarized in an annual DIRT report. This report, prepared for the Canadian CGA by Green Analytics, provides a summary and analysis of the reported damages occurring in Canada during 2017.

Download the 2017 DIRT Report here.

2017 Highlights:

• Total reported damages were 11,383. While this is 6% lower than 2016, the Alberta Common Ground Alliance did not receive damage reports from the Alberta Energy Regulator in 2017.
• 70% of reported damages occurred in two provinces: Ontario (46%) and Alberta (24%).
• Almost 45 damages occurred per work day (assuming 254 work days per year).
• Distribution natural gas and telecommunication facilities, the highest reporting stakeholders, were affected in 89% of damages, 45% and 44% respectively.
• Contractor was the most commonly listed excavator type in damages (72%).
• Hoe/trencher was the most common equipment type used in damages (47%). Equipment type was omitted in almost one third (32%) of reported damages.
• Work on water and sewer systems accounted for 25% of damages; 21% of damages did not report type of work performed or it was classified as other.
• The most common known root cause of damages was no notification made to the One Call Centre.
• 63% of damages due to excavation issues were caused by a failure to use hand tools where required.
• 60% of damages due to location issues were caused by a facility not located or marked.
• Damages are reported to DIRT on a voluntary basis and thus do not reflect total damages per year.

Register with DIRT and Be Part of the Damage Prevention Solution

The Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) invites you to register with Regional Partner Virtual DIRT and report damages to Canada's buried infrastructure. Doing so will allow more thorough analysis and enable damage prevention and safety solutions that will benefit all Canadians.

Alberta: www.albertacga.ca

British Columbia: www.commongroundbc.ca

Ontario: www.orcga.com

Quebec: www.info-ex.com

Saskatchewan: www.scga.ca