Damage Prevention Download

CGA recently issued our “50 in 5” industry challenge, which encourages stakeholders to make actionable changes to reduce damages to critical underground utilities by 50% over the next 5 years. The “50 in 5” challenge asks stakeholders to concentrate on three focus areas that address critical issues identified by CGA’s Next Practices Initiative and the top damage root causes that contribute to more than 76% of damages to buried infrastructure as identified DIRT Report. The three areas of focus include effective and consistent use of 811, key excavator practices (potholing, maintaining clearance, etc.) and accurate, timely utility locating.

Last year, CGA conducted a member survey to determine the tools and resources members needed to best reach their professional and general public audiences with the 811 safety message. As a result of this research, as well as damage data from recent Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Reports, CGA has developed a new 811 tagline to reflect the ongoing evolution of the damage prevention industry, and reinforce the importance of consistent use of 811 for every project.

Reaching Excavators and the Public this April

We’re just a few weeks away from National Safe Digging Month (NSDM), and CGA is excited to launch several new tools and graphics to support all of your outreach this April – including our new Excavator Toolkit and 2023 NSDM press release.

CGA is pleased to share a new case study detailing how member TransGrid, an Australian electricity network, implemented FiberSense DigitalAsset™ technology to enhance the safety of a high voltage underground cable. The case study, titled “Fibersense - DigitalAsset: Protecting High Voltage Underground Assets,” highlights how TransGrid leveraged this technology’s accurate, real-time monitoring of underground assets to enhance its threat detection capabilities and improve workforce efficiency.

CGA’s Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) helps our industry understand the root causes of underground utility damages and develop actionable solutions that make communities safer. We encourage you to submit your 2022 damage and near-miss data to DIRT by March 31 to help uncover and address persistent challenges facing the industry.