Telecom’s Critical Role in Reversing Utility Damage Trends,” outlines four key takeaways that outline the strengths and challenges facing the telecom industry.
The first key finding emphasizes the extensive influence the telecom industry has to advance CGA’s 50-in-5 goal to reduce all damages in half over the next five years: “The telecom sector has the most potential to impact the U.S. damage prevention system – and its own bottom line.” New telecom infrastructure continues to be installed at record-high rates, adding incentive to prevent and reduce damages to these facilities. However, according to CGA’s DIRT Report, telecom consistently ranks among the two most damaged facility types.
">
WHITE PAPER: Telecom’s Opportunity to Influence Damage Prevention
Dec 21, 2023
2024 CGA Conference & Expo taking place in
Colorado Springs, Colo., April 14-18, 2024 at the world-renowned Broadmoor, known for its stunning setting overlooking Colorado’s picturesque Rocky Mountains. This year's event will offer an array of high-level educational seminars, interactive breakout sessions, Summits and Committee Meetings specifically curated to align with and support the industry’s ambitious “50-in-5” damage reduction goal. Attendees can look forward to ample opportunities for networking, including the always-popular Night of Networking.
The 2024 Conference will feature six educational tracks to help attendees expand their damage prevention knowledge. New this year, CGA is excited to offer a variety of Healthy Habits sessions that involve a unique mix of fitness and wellness experiences that will inspire higher levels of performance and life satisfaction.
">
2024 CGA Conference & Expo Education Session Now Available!
Dec 14, 2023
Telecom’s Critical Role in Reversing Utility Damage Trends,” which provides critical insights into the telecommunications sector's specific challenges in damage prevention amidst the fiber and infrastructure boom. The White Paper analyzes data derived from in-depth interviews and an industry survey, which highlight specific strengths and recommendations to enhance damage prevention efforts within the telecom industry.">
New Research Underscores the Telecom’s Role in Reversing Utility Damage Trends
Dec 7, 2023
2022 DIRT Report, more than 76% of damages are caused by six persistent root causes. To effectively address these, it’s crucial to identify proactive strategies to reduce damages and empower stakeholders to make strides toward our 50-in-5 damage reduction goal.">
DIRT: Data-informed strategies for targeting top damage root causes
Nov 30, 2023
2022 DIRT Report highlighted a critical issue facing the industry: the emerging crisis of late and inaccurate locates.
According to the Report, as often as 56% of the time, excavators cannot begin work on their planned start date due to late or no positive response. As a result, excavator confidence in the system has been negatively impacted.
To address this crisis, accurate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping of underground utilities is paramount, especially given the current surge in construction activity across the U.S. GIS mapping plays a critical role in mitigating the challenges associated with late and inaccurate locates by reducing overnotification, improving the accuracy and efficiency of locates, and enhancing excavator safety.
">
How GIS mapping impacts the locating crisis
Nov 2, 2023
open for members and guests, so be sure to secure your spot for this fall’s event, which will feature a 50-in-5 LIVE event and will focus on locating and mapping.
📅 DEADLINE: TUESDAY, OCT. 31
CGA is conducting a brief, three-minute State of Damage Prevention survey – and we need your help. We're asking all damage prevention stakeholders to share their thoughts on the most pressing issues, priorities and policies/practices they believe have the most potential to reduce damages to buried utilities.
">
📅 Upcoming deadlines: Committee Summit and industry survey
Oct 26, 2023
CGA’s Next Practices Initiative is pleased to share a new
living case study that details how 811 Chicago has reduced annual damages within Chicago by 50% since 2017. This accomplishment highlights the effectiveness of mapping and collaboration in achieving a significant damage reduction within a specific timeline, setting an example for the industry of the power of innovation and stakeholder engagement in contributing to our 50-in-5 industry goal.
The newly published case study provides an in-depth overview of 811 Chicago’s robust damage prevention program, which is designed to create a well-structured framework for stakeholders and their projects, with a particular focus on mapping, stakeholder collaboration and enforcement.
">
NEXT PRACTICES: 811 Chicago is a model of 50-in-5 success
Oct 19, 2023
webinar on Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. ET focused on the importance of subsurface utility mapping and the role it plays in decreasing system inefficiencies, improving safety and streamlining the damage prevention process
. This is the first of what will be an ongoing series of webinars highlighting the innovative technologies that are contributing to our shared 50-in-5 industry goal of reducing damages by 50% over the next five years.">
TECH: Learn about subsurface utility mapping on Oct. 19 webinar
Oct 5, 2023
2022
Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report, which provides a comprehensive accounting and analysis of damages to buried utilities in the U.S. and Canada. Each year, facility operators, utility locating companies, 811 centers, excavators, contractors, regulators and other damage prevention stakeholders voluntarily submit their annual damage data to CGA’s
DIRT tool to help create an accurate picture of the current damage landscape.
The annual DIRT Report and Interactive Dashboard highlight trends, gauge the efficacy of damage prevention practices and outreach, inform future Best Practices and provide recommendations to achieve our shared 50-in-5 industry goal of reducing damages by 50% over the next five years.
">
Explore CGA’s 2022 DIRT Report Findings Today
Sep 21, 2023
2024 CGA Conference & Expo, taking place April 14-18 in Colorado Springs, Colo., will continue these meaningful discussions with a week of educational sessions, networking opportunities and the chance to explore the latest products and services that are advancing our industry.">
2024 CGA Conference & Expo Call for Proposals now open!
Aug 17, 2023
new B-roll available to CGA members, which features footage of professionals with their boots on the ground displaying various aspects of damage prevention in action. New B-roll was one of the most requested tools in last year's member survey, and
by utilizing this resource, members can elevate their media materials and create compelling visual content to effectively tell a damage prevention story across various platforms.">
🎥NEW B-roll to enhance your 8/11 Day education and outreach
Jul 27, 2023
811 Center Dashboard, a comprehensive platform designed to offer stakeholders a streamlined display of state-by-state data about annual 811 center transmissions as well as state damage prevention laws and regulations.
Dashboard users can gain quick and convenient access to valuable information, including minimum notification periods, ticket lifespan, mandatory white-lining status and comprehensive data on transmissions and ticket volume for individual 811 centers. Stakeholders can familiarize themselves with 811 center terminology using the dedicated dashboard glossary, as well as gain direct access to state-specific information about 811 services through links to each state’s 811 center.
">
Analyze state 811 data year-over-year with CGA’s 811 Center Dashboard
Jul 20, 2023
Damage Prevention Institute (DPI) has been hard at work building its metrics-focused programs, and recently welcomed its 1,000th organization to its list of accredited participants.
As it continues to grow, the DPI will keep participants and other damage prevention stakeholders informed on the latest program updates, common questions, helpful insights and other resources on its blog. This
blog will help users understand core aspects of the program, as well as the DPI’s role in promoting industry progress by addressing inefficiencies in the damage prevention system.">
A Deep Dive Into the Damage Prevention Institute’s Metric Reporting
Jul 13, 2023
sizzle reel for the 2023 CGA Conference & Expo, highlighting the best moments of this year’s sold-out event at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Fla. From the bustling exhibit hall and captivating educational sessions to the new offsite tours and inspirational keynote address, the video captures the excitement of the damage prevention industry’s premier event.
We are so grateful to all the dedicated damage prevention professionals who attended the 2023 Conference, as well as the sponsors and exhibitors who helped make this event such a success. Planning for the 2024 CGA Conference & Expo, set for April 14-18 in Colorado Springs, Colo., is well underway and we can’t wait for you to see what next year’s event has in store.
">
Reminisce about the 2023 Conference & Expo and look ahead to CGA’s Upcoming Events!
Jun 15, 2023