Dig Safe Kamloops & Castlegar – Register Now!

The BC Common Ground Alliance (BCCGA) offers Excavation Safety Compliance Training specially designed for performing ground disturbance near underground infrastructure; this seminar will familiarize participants with National Energy Board, BC Oil & Gas Commission, Technical Safety BC and WorkSafe BC regulations when working near underground…

Ground Disturbance Level II® Training

Independent Contractors and Businesses Association, in partnership with KPU/Global, have scheduled the following Ground Disturbance Level II® courses: Burnaby: March 25 ~  https://icba.simplesignup.ca/5636 Prince George: May 6  ~ https://icba.simplesignup.ca/5641 Fort St John: May 8 ~ https://icba.simplesignup.ca/5673 Victoria: May 28 ~  https://icba.simplesignup.ca/5638 Langley: June 17 ~  https://icba.simplesignup.ca/5643

Utility Risk Management Workshop – March 5, 2020

NASTT BC is pleased to join forces with CATT and UESI to present the Utility Risk Management Workshop. This 1-day seminar will be offered on March 5, 2020 in Richmond, BC. For more information about this workshop please follow this link: https://conta.cc/2TKhXWP . Breakfast and lunch are…

2019 Report to Members

On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is our pleasure to present the British Columbia Common Ground Alliance (BCCGA) 2019 Report to Members. This document lays out the high-level success we have had in 2019 in relation to our five-year strategic priorities. This year…

Happy Holidays from BCCGA!

A special greeting at Christmas time to express to you our sincere appreciation for your confidence and loyalty. We are deeply thankful and extend to you our best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.

Ground Disturbance Session in Kelowna a Success!

Our October 23rd Ground Disturbance Session in Kelowna was a huge success! Global News Okanagan covered the story online with video they shot at the event. It was also covered by the Kelowna Daily Courier online The story was also picked up by MSN News. Join is…

Ground Disturbance Seminar – December 4, 2019

The BC Common Ground Alliance (BCCGA) offers Excavation Safety Compliance Training specially designed for performing ground disturbance near underground infrastructure; this seminar will familiarize participants with National Energy Board, BC Oil & Gas Commission, Technical Safety BC and WorkSafe BC regulations when working near underground…

Skills Canada National Competition – May 28-29, 2020

Vancouver Convention Centre  — Vancouver, BC — May 28 – 29 Open to the Public  — Free Admission! Highlights: Approximately 7,500 student visitors  Over 50 Try-A-Trade® and Technology activities Over 40 skill competitions representing six sectors: Construction; Employment; Information Technology; Manufacturing and Engineering; Transportation; Service Over 550 secondary…

Message from Technical Safety BC

The National Research Council of Canada has launched a Public Review to provide feedback on proposed changes to Codes Canada Publications, listed below: National Building Code of Canada 2015 (NBC) National Fire Code of Canada 2015 (NFC) National Plumbing Code of Canada 2015 (NPC) You can have…

2018 DIRT Report Released

CCGA DIRT Report Estimates Damage to Buried Utilities Continues to Cost Canada at Least $1 Billion Every Year NIAGARA FALLS, ONT. (Oct. 9, 2019) – The Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) released the 2018 Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report in Niagara Falls, Ontario on…

BC Ground Disturbance Seminar – Kelowna October 23rd

Join us in a one day session that covers all you need to know about ground disturbance including: regulatory updates, BC One Call requirements, excavation safety, hydrovac and locate demonstration. This seminar qualifies for EOCP CEU’s and BC Housing CPD’s. Wednesday October 23, 2019 ~…

2019 City of Excellence Awards

Congratulations to the Capital Regional District and the City of Kelowna for winning this year’s Ground Disturbance City of Excellence Awards — presented at the BC Municipal Safety Association / Public Works Conference in Penticton on September 17th! BC Common Ground Alliance Vice-Chair, Michelle Petrusevich,…

2019 CCGA Damage Prevention Symposium

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER! This event focuses on critical issues specific to Canadian stakeholders. This is an excellent opportunity to network with your peers from across Canada and share knowledge and ideas. Learn more… Break Out Session: Implementing CSA Z663-18 Addressing the limitations and gaps in stakeholder awareness and engagement. Learn…

2019 BC Construction Health & Safety Conference

The 2019 BC Construction Health & Safety Conference (formerly known as Bridging the Gap) will be held on October 24th and 25th.  This year’s conference is not to be missed as there is another strong speaker line up and NEW venue, Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront. LEARN ABOUT: Practical…

4th Annual Racing for Safety Social Event – September 6th

Don your finest suits, dresses and head toppers (or just wear shorts!) and join us on Friday, September 6th at the Hastings Race Course for our 4th Annual Racing for Safety Social Event… …which will, undoubtedly, include Beer (for Safety). Friday Nights at Hastings includes Live Races with live…

Member and Board Meeting – July 25, 2019

Please be advised that the next BCCGA Member and Board meeting will be held on Thursday July 25th from 10 am until 3 pm with lunch included.  The meeting will be held at BC Hydro at Dunsmuir and Homer in Vancouver. The Day agenda and…

Technical Safety BC ~ State of Safety 2018

We are pleased to provide you with Technical Safety BC’s State of Safety report for 2018. The report documents TSBC’s work over the past year through stories and data on hazards, incidents, and safety management of technical systems in British Columbia. Here are some important highlights of…

Companies honoured for safe digging

Journal Of Commerce| News Service | June 6, 2019 Surrey, B.C. – Three companies have been singled out by the Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) for their commitment to safe digging practices. The companies were acknowledged to have made a high number of tickets into BC…

3 Day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist Course June 11th – 13th, 2019

BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist Course in Surrey at our *NEW* KPU Civic Plaza Campus Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be offering the 3 day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course at KPU Civic Plaza 13485 Central Avenue, Surrey, B.C. http://www.kpu.ca/civicplaza $550+GST/per Student  Course details can be found on the KPU web…

7th Annual CCGA Damage Prevention Symposium

The 7th Annual CCGA Damage Prevention Symposium will be held in Niagara Falls, Ontario from October 8-10, 2019! We look forward to you joining us as we focus on critical issues specific to Canadian stakeholders. We hope you utilize this opportunity to network with peers from…

3 Day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist Course May 14th – 16th, 2019

BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist Course in Surrey at the *NEW* KPU Civic Plaza Campus Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be offering the 3 day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course at KPU Civic Plaza 13485 Central Avenue, Surrey, B.C. http://www.kpu.ca/civicplaza $550+GST/per Student  Course details can be found on the KPU web…

NASTT-BC 2019 Trenchless Technology Roadshow – May 6 – 8

The North American Society for Trenchless Technology’s British Columbia Chapter (NASTT-BC), the Centre for Advancement of Trenchless Technologies (CATT), and Benjamin Media are pleased to announce the 2019 Trenchless Technology Road Show in Richmond/Vancouver, BC. This show will consist of two full days of technical presentations and…

April is Coming! Help us to promote DigSafe Month….

April is once again National DigSafe 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 damage and inconvenient outages.…

Expo digs deep into pipeline safety

Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | March 21, 2019 Dial before you dig isn’t negotiable, but it is often forgotten. A FortisBC expert explained the potential hazards and procedures involved when builders dig around, over and under buried pipes and wires to attendees at…

DIRT Data Submission Deadline Approaching

The submission deadline of March 31st is fast approaching. All 2018 data must be submitted before the deadline to be included in the 2018 Annual DIRT report. If you missed or want to re-watch our webinar on how to submit your DIRT data, you can find it here.…

Operators Without Borders in Belize…

Operators Without Borders has formally invited Ron Enns, on behalf of Continuing & Professional Studies at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, to join a team of water and wastewater operators who will be volunteering this February in Belize. The goal is to build capacity in water and…

Member & Board Meeting – February 28th

Please be advised that the next BCCGA Member and Board meeting will be held on Thursday February 28th from 10 am until 3 pm with lunch included.  The meeting will be held at Technical Safety BC at 2889 East 12th Avenue, Suite 600. The Day…

Submit your DIRT data by March 31!

DIRT data submissions for calendar year 2018 are due March 31, 2019, so please get your data in as soon as possible to inform the comprehensive 2018 DIRT Report. Visit www.cga-dirt.com to get started today! If you already submitted your data for 2018, thank you! No further action is required.…

Before You Dig Partners Cutover Day Timeline

Before You Dig Partners is launching the new system at 8 PM MST, January 31, 2019. For more information and the timeline of planned cutover activities on January 31, please see the Cutover Day Checklist found at:https://beforeyoudigpartners.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360022381232-Cutover-Day-Timeline-Member-Information-Document

Looking for Utility Locate Instructors

BCMSA & KPU are looking for Utility Locate Instructors, if you are interested please apply! BC Municipal Safety association & Kwantlen Polytechnic University are looking for Instructors for the BC Common Ground Alliance 3 day Utility Locater Specialist course. If you are a subject matter expert in…

2019 City of Excellence Award

We are reintroducing this prestigious award with a simpler nomination process. The award recognizes local governments for activities that improve ground disturbance, safe excavation techniques and best practice at or around underground infrastructure, in the year previous to the award. Who’s eligible? Any BC local government…

Important Announcement about the Pelican Software Cutover

On behalf of Mike Sullivan, PresidentAlberta One-Call Corporation Over many months, the Pelican Project team has worked diligently to produce and test new software that will provide Western Canada with the most technologically advanced One Call system in North America and the BeforeYouDig Partners Project…

Annual Report to our Members and Partners

We are once again pleased to submit this year’s ‘BCCGA Annual Report – 2018‘  on behalf of our Board of Directors. This report provides a summary of the main successes that have taken place throughout the 2018 calendar year in relation to our new strategic…

SUE State of Practice Study

CATT is conducting a survey is to better understand the current state of Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) practices, barriers, and acceptance across Canada. Knowledge and information gained through this survey will: (1) establish the industry baseline with respect to SUE knowledge, application, usage, barriers, and…

TRS Roadshow – Looking for Abstracts

The Centre for Advancement of Trenchless Technologies (CATT), Benjamin Media, and NASTT-BC are pleased to announce that the deadline for submission of Abstracts and Presentations for the 2019 Trenchless Technology Road Show in Richmond/Vancouver, BC, May 6-8, 2019, has been extended to November 23rd. Have you submitted your abstract?…

2017 DIRT Report is Now Available!

Reporting damages into the Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) is critical for the CCGA to determine the root causes of those damages and develop mitigating measures to reduce and eliminate them. As of 2015, only four Regional Partners are entering damage data into DIRT and…

A Message from FortisBC

As you may have seen in the media, a natural gas transmission pipeline north of Prince George has been ruptured. This pipeline feeds our system. Please see our service update for the most recent information, and please share the message below with your communities: FortisBC…

Everybody Plays a Part in Underground Damage Prevention

Trenchless Technology Canada |  Harry Dickinson | Summer 2018 Everyone has heard “Safety is no accident” and I recently attended a seminar on Critical Safety Thinking by an international guest speaker David Fennell, CRSP.  This event was sponsored by Canadian Society of Safety Engineering Thompson…

Be a Part of Canada’s Unified Damage Prevention Movement

Be a Part of Canada’s Unified Damage Prevention Movement  This event that attracts members from the many Canadian organizations and associations who share the responsibility of damage prevention and public safety solutions. This is an excellent opportunity to network with peers across Canada and share knowledge and…

CGA 811 Excavation Safety Conference & Expo

The CGA 811 Excavation Safety Conference & Expo is the premiere international event dedicated to providing educational content and resources to help protect buried assets. The Conference is the largest event in the underground damage prevention industry, drawing nearly 1,700 participants and offering 80+ hours…

Upcoming Engagement on CER Act Regulations – Fall 2018

Natural Resources Canada and the National Energy Board will soon be seeking public comments to help inform the approach to developing two new regulations and making amendments to an existing regulation to support the government’s proposed Canadian Energy Regulator Act (CER Act). A Public Notice…

Ground Disturbance 201 Standard

Applications Now Open for New BC Ground Disturbance Standard We are pleased to announce that we are accepting applications to access our Ground Disturbance 201 Standard (British Columbia).  Training providers in British Columbia who are looking for endorsement to the new BCCGA Ground Disturbance 201 Standard…

Sign-up Now for BC One Call Software Testing

As you’ve heard, BC One Call, Alberta One-Call, and ClickBeforeYouDigMB (Manitoba), are cutting over to PelicanCorp software later this year. All provinces are inviting damage prevention stakeholders to keep informed of developments and our collective pathway to a successful November 30th cutover by following the www.BeforeYouDigPartners.com…

April 28 Day of Mourning

April 28 has been designated the national Day of Mourning, a time when we all come together to remember those who have lost their lives due to work-related incidents or occupational diseases. Last year 158 workers died as a result of their work. Sadly, in…

April is DigSafe Month!

April is HERE!  Help us to promote DigSafe Month…. April is once again National DigSafe 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…

An Update on Bill S-229

Bill S-229 has not been yet passed First Reading; however, the bill and its contents remains very much in play. The CCGA Executive Director, Mike Sullivan, continues to meet with all departments and Ministries that would be affected by the Bill – Pubic Services &…

Are you Risk Intelligent?

Today’s Lythism –> How can we possibly seek to understand ‘safety’ at work if we don’t know anything about the psychology of risk or how people’s minds work? Please share this opportunity with your colleagues, members and anyone else you think might be interested or could…

Occupational Disease Symposium – April 19, 2018

In partnership with WorkSafeBC, please join BCCSA on Thursday, April 19th at Trev Deeley Motorcycles for their Occupational Disease Symposium for a full day of learning from industry professionals on a variety of topics, including: Asbestos, Sun, Lead and more. Full- buffet breakfast and lunch…

2018 CAPULC AGM & Safety Conference Red Deer, AB

Join CAPULC at their 2018 AGM and Safety Conference ~ Registration is FREE and seats are limited. All registrations include meals. When:  April 26, 2017 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Welcome Reception and Networking Event. April 27, 2018, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm –…

S-229…We need your help and it’s Easy!

The S-229 microsite promoting bill S-229, and QUICK electronic process for any Canadian to show their support to their Member of Parliament, is now LIVE – www.icandigsafe.ca  and it’s EASY! To date we only have 25 letters….please support this very important federal legislation. Do you…

3 Day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist Course – Jan 31 – Feb 1, 2018 in Cloverdale!

Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be offering the 3 day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course in Cloverdale! $550+GST/per Student and seats are filling up fast! Course details can be found on the KPU web page –> http://www.kpu.ca/cps/wastewater/safety-courses If you are interested please register at the KPU website at:http://www.kpu.ca/cps/wastewater/registration Or contact Ron at ronald.enns@kpu.ca or…

Annual Report to our Members and Partners

We are once again pleased to submit this year’s ‘BCCGA Report To Members’ on behalf of our Board of Directors. This report provides a summary of the main successes that have taken place throughout the 2017 calendar year in relation to our new strategic priorities.…

3 Day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist Course – Jan 9-11, 2018 in Kelowna!

Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be offering the 3 day BCCGA Utility Locator Specialist course in Kelowna! $550+GST/per Student and seats are filling up fast! Course details can be found on the KPU web page:  http://www.kpu.ca/cps/wastewater/safety-courses If you are interested please register at the KPU website at: http://www.kpu.ca/cps/wastewater/registration Or contact Ron at ronald.enns@kpu.ca or…

Ground Disturbance of Natural Gas Lines – Video

British Columbians are at serious risk when underground infrastructure such as buried gas lines, pipelines or hydro lines are struck or damaged because building contractors, homeowners and other excavators are not aware of the lines’ precise locations before digging.  In BC, there are over 2,000…

Final BCCGA Social of 2017 ~ December 12th!

Join us for the last BCCGA Social of the year at the Vancouver Christmas Market! Wander the market’s winding alleys and discover authentic German delicacies: sizzling sausages, warming Glühwein (mulled wine), old world confections, and 75 other food and craft huts. Tuesday, December 12, 2017…