Ground disturbance activity continues to grow at an ever increasing pace in Saskatchewan as the province rapidly expands to meet the fast growing population and economy. Whether an individual is building a fence or deck, a municipality is coordinating a development in a new sub-division or a large roadway or construction project is taking place, the ground is disturbed thousands of times a day.
This activity, coupled with a complex and vast network of underground infrastructure including electrical or communication cables and natural gas, oil or water gathering, distribution and transmission pipelines throughout the entire Province of Saskatchewan results in a risk that must be mitigated in every possible way.
Daily, incidents occur where unexpected contact is made with any one of these multiple underground infrastructures resulting in an unsafe situation that could result in serious consequences. The majority end up as incidents with damage to the infrastructure and construction equipment and likely a loss of service to those customers connected to that infrastructure. However, the potential exists for much larger impact resulting in worker and public safety being threatened every time an individual or large excavator disturbs the ground. In addition, the environment is impacted when infrastructure that carries dangerous products are ruptured.
The SCGA and regional partners throughout Canada have developed a set of Best Practices for underground infrastructure damage prevention. Education and awareness of these Best Practices is a major initiative of the SCGA. Contractor Breakfasts are held annually throughout the Province and plans for Best Practice Forums are currently being developed.
One of the Best Practices and most effective means to reduce or eliminate damage to underground facilities and risk to worker safety is the use of a single point of contact or establishment of a One Call Service for those individuals and contractors to contact before they start any type of project. The comprehensive Locate Request Process provided by a One Call Service is just one element in the critical Damage (and Loss) Prevention Process that the SCGA promotes, however it is the primary step in the entire process. The SCGA is proposing that legislation be introduced in Saskatchewan that would mandate a One Call service.
The SCGA presentation would introduce participants to the SCGA and its efforts to make Saskatchewan a safer place to work and live.
