What is Common Ground Alliance?
Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is a member-driven association of nearly 3,800 damage prevention professionals from every facet of the underground utility industry. Established in 2000, CGA is committed to saving lives and preventing damage to North American underground infrastructure by promoting effective damage prevention practices. CGA has established itself as the leading organization in an effort to reduce damages to underground facilities in North America through shared responsibility among all stakeholders.
How did CGA start?
Officially formed in 2000, the CGA represents a continuation of the damage prevention efforts embodied by the Common Ground Study. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation and completed in 1999, this Study represents the collaborative work of 160 industry professionals who identified best practices relating to damage prevention.
The CGA provides today’s optimal forum where stakeholders can share information and perspectives and work together on all aspects of damage prevention issues. This allows the achievement of results that would otherwise be impossible. The CGA is working with industry stakeholders and regulators to produce stronger, more effective results through partnership, collaboration, and the pursuit of common goals in damage prevention.
Which industries do CGA members represent?
CGA welcomes all stakeholders who would like to be a part of the identification and promotion of best practices that lead to a reduction in damage. Any “best practices,” endorsed by the CGA come with consensus support from experts representing the following stakeholder groups: Excavators, Locators, Road Builders, Electric, Telecommunications, Oil, Gas Distribution, Gas Transmission, Railroad, One Call, Public Works, Equipment Manufacturing, State Regulators, Insurance, Emergency Services and Engineering/Design.
What is CGA’s mission as a nonprofit organization?
Mission
The Common Ground Alliance is dedicated to preventing damage to underground utility infrastructure and protecting those who live and work near these important assets through the shared responsibility of our stakeholders.
CGA Goals
- Information and Analysis: Develop information and analysis designed to enhance our members’ ability to implement effective damage prevention processes and programs.
- Education: Increase education of the industry, public and policymakers about the importance of the damage prevention process.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Provide a collaborative forum for stakeholders to identify and highlight effective damage prevention practices and programs.
What are some of CGA’s key programs?
CGA's key programs are in line with the CGA Goals, which include the Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT), Best Practices Guide, research publications and white papers, annual reports including the DIRT report and the Technology Report, and 811 awareness and use. CGA's working committees are involved in all these efforts.
Does CGA publish papers or studies about utility damage prevention and safety?
How is CGA funded?
CGA is funded by more than 70 top tier members, nearly 250 corporate members and more than 1,800 individual participants. For a full list of top tier members, please click here.