Category: News

This event will focus on critical issues specific to Canadian stakeholders. This is an excellent opportunity to network with your peers from across Canada and share knowledge & ideas. The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel Banff, Alberta October 28 – 30, 2014 Sponsorship Opportunities and Exhibitor Space are available. REGISTER NOW!

WorkSafeBC has recently released two bulletins on the dangers of cross bores when clearing sewer lines.  Cross bores can be a serious threat to the safety of workers or the public if a gas line in a cross bore is inadvertently broken. Before excavating or…

One free phone call can reduce the likelihood of potentially dangerous incidents. The BC Common Ground Alliance (BCCGA) has once again found that the majority of reported damage to underground infrastructure could be prevented with a free telephone call. The 2014 BC Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT)…

The North American Society for Trenchless Technology – British Columbia Chapter is offering a one day course – Sub-surface Utility Engineering (SUE): Knowing Before You Dig. When:     October 8, 2014 Where:   Eaglequest Golf at Coyote Creek , 7778 152 Street, Surrey, BC V3S 3M4 Cost:     …

We have been asked to forward the following to our members on behalf of CAPULC: To: CAPULC Members and Industry Stakeholders: The Canadian Association of Pipeline and Utility Locating Contractors (CAPULC) is pleased to present you with the second draft of the Underground Facility Locator’s…

BCCGA’s First Annual First Annual Pitch and Putt for Safety Extravaganza is here! All levels of pitchers and putters are welcome. Lots of questionable prizes to be won under the safe eye of Committee Chair Don Schouten! When:     Thursday, August 21 at 3:30 PM…

The review and comment period for CSA Z247 – Damage Prevention for the Protection of Underground Infrastructure – is now open for 60 days terminating August 26, 2014.   The CSA Z247 Technical Committee will reconvene in September to review and consider those comments. Please…

Dear Excavation and Underground Safety Community: You are receiving this message because you are on our e-mail list.  Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) comes into force on July 1, 2014.  We sent an email last week asking you to re-subscribe to continue receiving updates.  We have…

BC Construction Safety Alliance is hosting a Free Contractor Breakfast on June 24th at Trev Deely Motorcycles in Vancouver from 7:30 am to 9:00 am. See the poster here…..and register here.

Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE), as defined in CI/ASCE 38-02, is a branch of engineering practice that involves managing certain risks associated with utility mapping at appropriate quality levels, utility coordination, utility relocation design and coordination, utility condition assessment, communication of utility data to concerned parties,…

Please be advised that our next Member and Board Meetings will be held on June 4, 2014 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm in the Spectra Energy Boardroom in Vancouver.  The agenda for the day is attached. We have two special presentations ~ Rick Wickware…

Due too many requests, CAPULC has extended their submission date. All reviews and welcomed comments are to be submitted by May 16, 2014 to  jasonmugford@capulc.ca. ______________________________________ To All Industry Stakeholders: The Vision and related Mission of the Canadian Association of Pipeline and Utility Locating Contractors (CAPULC) is to provide leadership,…

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel Banff, Alberta October 28 – 30, 2014 This event will focus on critical issues specific to Canadian stakeholders. This is an excellent opportunity to network with your peers from across Canada and share knowledge & ideas. For more details on sponsorship and exhibition opportunities or to…

As part of Safe Digging Month, there are a series of FREE contractors’ breakfasts.  Thanks to everyone who made the Surrey Contractors Breakfast a success!  There are four more…. Chilliwack on April 15th from 7 am to 8 am. Kamloops on April 16th from 7 am to 8 am. Please see the attached poster for…

The British Columbia Common Ground Alliance held a contractor’s breakfast on April 1 to highlight the importance of excavation awareness and to ring in “National Safe Digging Month.” BCCGA Executive Director Dr. Dave Baspaly spoke to the Journal of Commerce about the importance of the…

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on April 9, 2014  from 9:30 am to 3:15 pm at YWCA Hotel Vancouver Canfor & Royal Bank Room 733 Beatty Street Vancouver, BC. The Agenda and Minutes from last year are available for your reference. Speakers include: Ken Paulson, Chief Operating…

Holiday Inn and Suites, 9816 – 107 St, Grande Prairie, Alberta 30 Apr 2014 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM To register as a participant or a sponsor, please visit: http://www.albertacga.ca/safety-conference Sponsors will be recognized at the conference.    Sponsorship amount is $500 (GST exempt) and helps to cover: …

Our first FREE contractors’ breakfast will be held at the Sheraton Vancouver Guilford Hotel in Surrey on April 1st, 2014 from 7 to 8 am.  We are expecting 300 attendees. Please distribute the invitation and poster to all of your members and contacts. Please register online here by Friday March 28, 2014. Ground disturbers –…

April 2014 will once again be National Safe Digging Month, the time of year when all Common Ground Alliance stakeholders come together to communicate how important it is that professionals and homeowners call before they dig and follow the safe digging process to help prevent injuries, property…

As part of Safe Digging Month, BCCGA and operators of buried facilities will be hosting a series of Free Contractors’ Breakfasts. Ground disturbers – excavating contractors, road crews,  public works crews, landscapers, fence installers, sign companies, farmers, homeowners and anyone else who breaks ground – will be…

EWING, N.J. – A gas leak and explosion in a U.S. neighbourhood killed one person and injured seven workers Tuesday while destroying 10 homes and damaging 45 others, authorities said. See the Global News article and video here.

April 2014 will once again be National Safe Digging Month, the time of year when all Common Ground Alliance stakeholders come together to communicate how important it is that professionals and homeowners call before they dig and follow the safe digging process to help prevent injuries, property…

The CCGA’s Report on Damages is now available on the CCGA website. The Canadian Common Ground Alliance released its first national report  on damage to buried infrastructure. The report, drawing consistent data from Québec, Ontario and British Columbia, determined buried infrastructure in Canada is damaged an…

In lieu of a 2013 Christmas Party (which we failed to plan), we would like to invite you to join us for a beer on February 28, 2014 at Tap ‘N Barrel in the Olympic Village (1 Athlete’s Way, Vancouver – 604-685-2223) at 5:30 pm. We will pick up a…

How many damages occur each year?
 What are the primary causes of damages and near misses?
 Are these events increasing or decreasing – and why?  These are some of the many questions that the BCCGA is working to answer through the collection of data in BC. …

Locating Workshops EECOL Electric, Radiodetection (Utility Locate Systems) & Sensors & Software Inc. (Ground Penetrating Radar Systems) are proud to present their annual “The ABC’s of Underground Utilities, Cable and Pipe Locating Workshops.”   For more information, please click HERE. Beer for Safety Social Event In…

The Damage Prevention Professional Magazine for the Winter of 2014 includes exclusive Canadian content and spotlights the recent CCGA Damage Prevention Symposium, Damage Prevention, Hydrovacing and Pipeline Integrity Management.  

Member / Board Meeting February 5, 2014 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Spectra Energy Boardroom We will have a special presentation by Natalie Moreau, Directrice générale, Prévention et affaires publiques, APISQ on the Evaluation of the Social Costs of Damage to Buried Infrastructure.  This presentation will include a comprehensive classification of…

The BCCGA is proud to announce the latest version of the BCCGA Best Practices. Best Practices Version 3.0 was developed to explain the types of activities that are considered optimal for worker safety, public safety and damage prevention during excavation. These guidelines have been developed…

Our next Member/Board meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2014 from 10 am to 2:30 pm at Spectra Energy on West Georgia Street in Vancouver.  Coffee and networking will start at 9:30 am. We will have a special presentation by Natalie Moreau, Directrice générale, Prévention et…

The National Energy Board (NEB) has issued an Application to Participate Notification about the hearing process for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. Those who wish to participate in the NEB hearing must apply to participate. The application to participate is on the NEB’s website at:…

In our 2013 Report to Members, we have outlined our progress towards our strategic priorities. This year, we continued to provide valuable education and awareness initiatives to improve the culture of safety in British Columbia.  These educational sessions provide a valuable link with the construction community,…

One free phone call can reduce the likelihood of potentially dangerous incidents. The BC Common Ground Alliance (BCCGA) has found that the majority of reported damage to underground infrastructure could be prevented with a free telephone call. The 2013 BC Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT)…

The 2014 Member and Board meetings have been scheduled as follows: February 5, 2014 April 9, 2014 (Annual General Meeting) June 4, 2014 October 8, 2014 Locations will be announced early in the new year.  Approximate timing will be 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Note…

Register now for the final DigSafe session of the season. The session runs from 7:45 am to 4:30 pm with registration starting at 7:00 am.   Cost is $150 per person. Kamloops – November 6, 2013, Thompson Rivers University – Register Now! A block of hotel rooms has…

2013 Construction Safety Conference Flyer The 8th annual Bridging the Gap conference is a two-day conference on safety in the construction industry. The all plenary session format means you won’t need to select which session to attend – you can enjoy every session of these…

Thank you to everyone who attended our Member meeting on October 16th.  Look for the 2014 meeting schedule to be published before the end of November. ——————————————————————————————– Reminder – Kamloops DigSafe session is scheduled for November 6th.   Register Now! The CGA Damage Prevention Professional Fall…

We have scheduled two sessions of  DigSafe BC! and registration is now open. Sessions run from 7:45 am to 4:30 pm with registration starting at 7:00 am.   Cost is $150 per person. Fort St. John – October 23, 2013, Pomeroy Hotel – Register Now! Kamloops – November…

Safety Geeks…. We are hosting our 3rd annual, world famous bowling for safety on October 17, 2013 at Grandview Bowling Centre on Commercial Drive from 4 pm to 6 pm.  Cost is $20 per person and includes shoes, bowling and a whole lotta fun! Everyone…

The BC Construction Safety Association is offering a free Contractor Breakfast on October 17th in Prince George. Topic:  Psychological Health and Safety (Bill 14 & Beyond) Time: 7:30am – 9:00am (Full hot breakfast buffet served from 7am) Location: Sandman Signature Prince George, 2990 Recplace Drive, Prince…

Langley – CLAC – October 8, 2013 – 19955 81A Avenue Phone 604-888-7220 or email bctraining@clac.ca to register. Session will run from 7:45 am to 4:30 pm with registration starting at 7:00 am.   Cost is $150 per person (note that CLAC members may attend the Langley session for free). Who’s this for?…

The first Canadian Common Ground Alliance Damage Prevention Symposium will be held in Kananaskis, Alberta, from November 12 to 14th, 2013. This event will focus on critical issues specific to Canadian stakeholders and is an excellent opportunity to network with peers from across Canada and share knowledge and ideas. Sessions…

We have scheduled three sessions of  DigSafe BC! and registration is now open. Sessions run from 7:45 am to 4:30 pm with registration starting at 7:00 am.   Cost is $150 per person (note that CLAC members may attend the Langley session for free).  …

Our next Member/Board meeting is scheduled for October 16, 2013 from 10 am to 2 pm at Spectra Energy on West Georgia Street in Vancouver. This is a special meeting designed to provide context on mandatory One Call legislation.  We have representatives from Ontario One…

  How many damages occur each year?
 What are the primary causes of damages and near misses?
 Are these events increasing or decreasing – and why?  These are some of the many questions that the BCCGA is working to answer through the collection of data in…

ADVANCED UNDERGROUND CABLE AND PIPE LOCATING SEMINAR When:  July 25, 2013 [NOT June 25th as distributed yesterday]. Where:  Sheraton Vancouver Guilford Hotel, Surrey, BC This program covers the full spectrum of what locate staff needs to know to get the job done safely, efficiently and, most importantly, with confidence. For…

The Best Practice Committee has completed its review of the BCCGA Best Practice Guide and is looking for your input.  Please provide your comments on Best Practice V3.0 Draft for Comments to elizabeth@commongroundbc.ca by June 15th.

Please join us for our Member / Board meeting that will be held on June 12th from 9 am to 3 pm.  We will be meeting at Spectra Energy’s offices on West Georgia Street in Vancouver. Details and meeting materials are included in the Members…

Jack Davidson of the BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association wrote this article for the Journal of Commerce. The link is: http://www.joconl.com/article/id55562?search_term=davidson

                        Your input is important! The Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) is hosting its first Canadian Damage Prevention Symposium at the Delta Lodge in Kananaskis. This event will focus on critical issues specific to…

The National Energy Board invites you to attend the upcoming Safety Forum 2013 on June 5th and 6th at the BMO Centre in Stampede Park, Calgary.  Registration for this no cost event is available until 17 May 2013. Oil and Gas Industry Safety Management Issues to Be Discussed Building and Maintaining…

High voltage lines, oil and gas pipelines, water, sewer and fiber optics lines lie in networks underground. The consequences of damage to buried facilities must be well understood and avoided. Fortis BC, WorkSafeBC and the BC Safety Authority invite you and your crews to a FREE contractor’s…

Two locations and dates to choose from: Quesnel Wednesday, April 24, 2013 ~ 7:00 to 8:00 am Sandman Hotel, 940 Chew Road Prince George Thursday, April 25, 2013 ~ 7:00 to 8:00 am Prince George Civic Centre 808 Civic Plaza Register by Friday, April 19, 2013*…

 Click here to REGISTER NOW!!       REGISTER NOW!! Please distribute our poster to your members, contractors, vendors and anyone else who might benefit from attending.   The Advanced Underground Cable and Pipe Locating Seminar that was being offered after the Breakfast has been cancelled.

The Details… BCCGA and operators of buried facilities will be hosting a FREE contractors’ breakfast at the Sheraton Vancouver Guilford Hotel in Surrey on April 5th, 2013 from 7 to 8 am. Ground disturbers – excavating contractors, road crews,  public works crews, landscapers, fence installers, sign companies,…

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on April 11, 2013  from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm at Spectra Energy, 1100 – 1055 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC. The Agenda and Minutes from last year are available for your reference. The status of Stakeholder Seats that are up for election…

April 2013 will once again be National Safe Digging Month, the time of year when all Common Ground Alliance stakeholders come together to communicate how important it is that professionals and homeowners call before they dig and follow the safe digging process to help prevent injuries, property…

Alberta CGA (ABCGA) is holding their Annual Safety Conference in Lethbridge, AB on March 5th for those of you who have associates and contractors in the area. For more information, see their announcement and the day’s agenda.

BC must fill more than 8,000 new job openings for technologists and technicians by 2020 – every job an opportunity for young BC adults!  But our economy faces costly skill shortages, because technology career opportunities have been overlooked and under-promoted. Introducing a “Strategic Plan for…

April 2013 will once again be National Safe Digging Month, the time of year when all Common Ground Alliance stakeholders come together to communicate how important it is that professionals and homeowners alike follow the safe digging process to help prevent injuries, property damage and…

Learn how recent advances in technology can help damage prevention programs be more meaningful, efficient, safe and compliant.  Read this white paper, sponsored by irth Solutions, to learn more.

Please join us for our Member / Board meeting that will be held on February 7th starting at 10 am.  We will be meeting at Spectra Energy’s offices on West Georgia Street in Vancouver.  Details are included on the agenda. Please let us know at…

Every day in B.C., excavation crews are responsible for an average of 13 hits to underground infrastructure. And each hit to a utility line — be it gas, electrical, water and sewer, or fibre optics — represents a potential danger to the crews involved. Read more…

The BC Common Ground Alliance, in partnership with Fortis BC, is undertaking a series of focus groups in Metro Vancouver to dialogue with excavation professionals during the month of February 2013. We will likely hold three separate meetings in the Fraser Valley and in the Vancouver area. Walter…

  We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued participation and support in making the BCCGA a recognized leader in safety. The BCCGA will continue to evolve in 2013, providing a clear voice for improved worker and public safety in connection with…

EDMONTON JOURNAL – DECEMBER 11, 2012 EDMONTON – A house in Sherwood Park was destroyed by an explosion after a contractor hit a gas line while doing repairs in the basement of the home. No one was injured in the blast. Read more…

This year the BCCGA has made great strides in visibility, engagement, and service delivery.  In addition to continuing our education and awareness programs, we have launched the first annual Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report, representing our first attempt to quantify damage to underground infrastructure…

After three years and a great deal of input from stakeholders, the Washington Legislature passed E2SHB-1634, the Underground Utilities Damage Prevention Act, in 2011. The intent of the legislation was to build and improve upon the existing dig law by addressing federal standards along with…

The 2013 face to face meeting schedule is as follows: Member / Board Meeting ~ Thursday, February 7, 2013 Annual General Meeting / Board Meeting ~ Thursday, April 11, 2013 Member / Board Meeting ~ Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Member / Board Meeting ~ Wednesday, October 16, 2013…

Surrey Memorial Hospital diverting patients to other hospitals after flooding. A watermain break Monday morning apparently caused by an excavation crew mishap has crippled the ability to provide emergency and other medical care at Surrey Memorial Hospital. Read more… and an update…

Join us for our second annual social event at The Zone Bowling Centre & Big River Brew Pub on November 27, 2012 at 3:30 pm for some fun and networking. Cost is $30 plus HST per person.  Registration closes November 20, 2012 at 5 pm.…

  8th Annual CGA 811 Excavation Safety Conference & Expo March 12-14, 2013  •  West Palm Beach, FL Join nearly 2,000 damage prevention professionals from 9 countries for: OVER 50 CONFERENCE SESSIONS: More than 50 educational sessions are in development, and each one is specifically targeted…

The Fall 2012 Contractors Breakfast is coming and you’re invited!  Mark your calendars for the morning of Tuesday, November 6 in Chetwynd. Hosted by Spectra Energy and Pembina Pipeline, this free breakfast event is open to any company or individual that has the potential to conduct…

The BCCGA is pleased to have Mike McKenna of the BC Construction Safety Alliance present at our Member/ Board on October 18th, 2012.  The BCCSA is industry’s safety voice working to develop health and safety programs, tools and resources for over 40,000 construction employers and…

On October 1st and 2nd, 2012, the Vancouver Sun and News 1130 reported that work crews are failing to call before they dig.  Read more… Vancouver Sun – October 1, 2012 Vancouver Sun – October 2, 2012 News 1130 – October 2, 2012

Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Location: CLAC Langley – 19955 81A Ave, Unit 100, Langley BC Time: 7:45am – 4:30pm Registration & Coffee:  7:00am – 7:45am Cost:  Free to CLAC members and $150 to non-members To register and for more information email: bctraining@clac.ca. Note that registrations…

One free phone call reduces likelihood of potentially dangerous incidents. The BC Common Ground Alliance (BCCGA) has found that the majority of reported damage to underground infrastructure could be prevented with a free telephone call. The 2011 BC Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report is…

Common Ground Alliance’s 2011 DIRT Report Confirms Importance of Calling 811 Before Digging in Damage Prevention Process WASHINGTON (Sept. 13, 2012) – Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the stakeholder-run organization dedicated to protecting underground utility lines and the people who dig near them, today announced findings from its comprehensive 2011…

The CanWest Hort Show has been the meeting place for buyers and sellers of BC’s nursery, floriculture and landscape industry for over 30 years. They are Western Canada’s largest horticultural trade show with over 3,000 industry professionals visiting 350+ booths over a 2-day period. The show is September…

The Field Resources pages on our website includes a number of useful resources. In addition to a page for our Best Practices Version 2.0, the Field Resources – Other Resources  page includes Legislation and Regulations, Toolbox Meeting Guides, Monthly Common Ground Updates and Damage Prevention Professional…

The CCGA White Paper Damage Prevention Legislation Elements Required for Canada was released on August 1, 2012. Mike Sullivan, Chair of the CCGA Board, has asked us to  share the link to the White Paper announcement with our members and stakeholders.  The White Paper and the announcement are in…

You are invited to attend the Professional Builders’ Institutes’ Annual General Meeting on Thursday September 27th, 2012. The keynote speaker for the AGM Dinner is Cliff Meidl,  who has been extensively involved in promoting the use of the US 811 “call before you dig” service throughout…

CSA S250 Mapping of Underground Utility Infrastructure is derived from mapping best practices and internal utility company mapping standards.  The standard covers: Management programs, types, characteristics and lifecycle of mapping records. Accountabilities and responsibilities of the owner, the locator and the excavator. Reliability and accuracy of mapping records: methods…

BCCGA supports the endeavours of BC Construction Safety Alliance in their goal of continual improvement in safety.  We encourage you to attend at least one of their two free Breakfasts. The next BCCSA Breakfasts for the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley regions are here! As your industry…

Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) from all three provincial political parties worked together in the spirit of collaboration to pass Bill 8, Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012 (Bill 8), a move that makes Ontario the Canadian leader in safe digging practices. The…

Just a quick reminder that our Member/Board Meeting will be held on June 20th starting at 10 am (coffee and mingling at 9:45 am) at Spectra Energy – 1100 – 1055 West Georgia Street. Brian Rowland, Vice President, Operations and Service Excellence, BC Safety Authority…

The BCLNA and CanWest are offering a 1-day ‘Booth Camp’ for exhibitors, which is taking place on June 14 in Langley with trade show expert, Barry Siskind.   Barry is one of the leading experts in the world when it comes to teaching companies how to exhibit successfully at…

Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), Kiewit and BCCGA are happy to present our first DigSafe session of 2012 to be held at CLAC in Langley from 7:45am to 4:30 pm. To register and for more information, call CLAC BC Training at 604–888–7220 or email…

Excavation Safety University is offering two courses in May: Damage Investigation Webinar – Tuesday May 22nd at 8 am PST, 2 hours, $125 For Additional Information and to Register CLICK HERE  Utility Locating Webinar Series – Thursday May 24th at 8 am PST, 5 hours, $375 For Additional Information and to…

The Harper Government announced its Plan for Responsible Resource Development on April 17, 2012. For the transmission pipeline industry, the Plan includes provisions of monetary penalties for violations of the National Energy Board Act. For the first time, authorizing the use of administrative monetary penalties for violations…

Planning to break ground this year?  We want to buy you breakfast! High voltage lines, oil and gas pipelines, water, sewer and telecom lines lie in vast networks underground. The consequences of damage to buried infrastructure can be devastating. We are pleased to announce the first…

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on April 12, 2012  from 11 am to 3:15 pm at Spectra Energy, 1100 – 1055 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC. The Agenda and Minutes from last year are available for your reference. **  Please note that members must…

On behalf of Andrew Mark, Chair of the Best Practice Committee, we are about to begin work on Best Practices Version 3.0.  If you are interested in participating in the development of Best Practices in BC, please email cheryl@commongroundbc.ca by April 18th.   Time and…

Two of our members, Linestar Utility Supply Inc. and Vivax Metrotech, are offering an Advanced Underground Cable and Pipe Locating Seminar following our Contractor Breakfast on April 18th at the Sheraton Vancouver Guilford Hotel. For detailed information on the Learning Objectives, Agenda and Registration, please…

April is Safe Digging Month.  Please help raise awareness by including the Safe Digging Month banner on your website and in your email tag line. We would love to buy you and your team breakfast on April 18th in Surrey at our Contractors Breakfast.  For…

It is with disappointment that the CCGA, its Regional Partners across Canada and its National Stakeholders, the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association and the Canadian Gas Association, announce the CRTC decision to deny our application for shared use of the 811 dialling code. For a Telecom…

BCCGA now has a Virtual Private DIRT so that we can take the data that you already enter into the CGA system and produce a report just for BC…We are starting to build our British Columbia user community.  British Columbia companies are encouraged to register…

The National Energy Board released its Damage Prevention Framework on February 29, 2012.   The framework is made up of a number of regulatory tools which establish the NEB’s mandate, describe requirements for pipeline companies and people planning activities near pipelines, and provide guidance on how to…

Media Planet is producing a publication on Workplace Safety that will be included in The Province on February 28th, 2012.   Their goal is to raise awareness around the importance of workplace safety in BC, showing the role of preventative action and the effect it has…

April 2012 will once again be National Safe Digging Month, the time of year when all Common Ground Alliance stakeholders come together to communicate how important it is that professionals and homeowners call before they dig and follow the safe digging process to help prevent…