Planet Underground

Jemmie Wang asks a question we have heard from many others over the years- "Why aren't some of these utility companies adopting new technologies that almost guarantee ROI for them? Do they not believe you, are they straight up saying no, what's going on here?" Well, we finally got a good answer for why this tends to happen! The answer didn't come from any utility member, it came from Jason Manning from PelicanCorp. Watch the panel to hear his answer and other great points from our All-Star panel. So many highlights in this panel, check out the entire live session here: https://lnkd.in/d5Mr-vQc Jason Adams Irth, SHANE HART Competers Inc.

Where can you go to get basic information about the workings of distribution utility systems that can be applied directly to achieving more positive outcomes in locating and damage prevention? Get that information here, in American Locator, with our series covering gas, electric, water and telecom systems..you won't want to miss an issue! Subscribers receive a digital copy each quarter, and can view all articles online via the Planet Underground website, or download single issues. Knowledge comes direct from the Staking University online training video series. SeeScan Vivax-Metrotech Corporation Locating Dynamics #diggingdangers #utilitylocating #utilitymapping #naturalgas #gas #utilitycontractor

Are the bulk of problems in our industry caused by the "Players" or the "System?" Utility companies will tell you that the negligent contractors and locators are the problem, and contractors will say that the 811 system in which the utility companies control is causing them problems. As Dave Mulcahey says, in a black and white argument the answer is almost always gray, but why are we still pointing fingers at each other instead of working together for a common ground? Thomas Hall has a good point- "What happens after this conversation is over?" There needs to be an action plan. Our contribution to damage prevention is by bringing education and awareness about topics like this, and we thank our panelists for another great Roundtable conversation. James Wingate Harley Hartman Underground Service Alert of Northern California & Nevada, GPRS KorTerra, Inc. ELM Companies

AI is a hot topic right now because it has the potential to enhance workflow in just about every industry. As discussed in this panel, AI can help us screen 811 tickets, do ticket risk assessment, and overall reduce the amount of noise for anyone using the 811 system. This is a good starting point, but there must be more AI can do to help. Does it have the potential to replace people at the call centers? Does it even have the potential to replace a locator to some extent? We aren't advocating for any of this, but we are in a wave of new tech and I'm not sure anyone knows exactly where it's taking us. Tyler Byrd Harold Lefler Doug Kenyon Bob Bryant Byrd Underground, LLC NUCA of Las Vegas Stake Center Locating Urbint

Planet Underground is proud to produce another video for the 2024 NUCA of Las Vegas Backhoe Rodeo, because it is probably the best event we have ever seen at truly inspiring the youth to get into the construction business! The Dig This Vegas ‘amusement park’ is super fun and such a unique place that teaches both young and old how to operate backhoes and other equipment. The other side of this video is about the backhoe competition. Over 100 operators from all across the country signed up to compete, and you know everyone brought their A-game, because 1st place prize was a Polaris Inc. RZR 1000 Pro Side-by-Side 🤯 The whole event was awesome, and the special thing is that contractors participating in the competition get to show their families, friends and peers what they do for a living on these machines. Construction is a great profession. Here is a time it can be both fun and rewarding, so lets have more events like this and promote the industry! CASE Construction Equipment Las Vegas Paving Corp EquipmentShare Rinker Materials Ferguson Flippin's Trenching, Inc. Haaker Equipment Company / Total Clean C and S Company, Inc. Team Fishel Terra Contracting Inc Core & Main Coastline Equipment SOUTHWEST JCB The Barricade Company Empire Cat Caterpillar Inc. John Deere Byrd Underground, LLC Kurt Brna Tyler Byrd Ed Mumm

Happy to share this latest announcement from Chris Stovall and Line-Scape looking to the future for technology in damage prevention.

Is paint on the ground still the best way to communicate where underground facilities are? Are we ready to explore new technologies or methods that could surpass the current way of locating these utilities? Jemmie Wang asks this question to our panelists Brian Peters, Matthew Dragon, Thomas Young and SHANE HART and they all have some great answers! See full Roundtable panel here: https://lnkd.in/dcQRmdPd BizMetrix, LLC Screening Eagle Technologies LLC KorTerra, Inc. SeeScan Competers Inc.

The world is full of ideas, but it is the people who act on them that make a difference. We see so many ideas and new pieces of technology come in to help increase the quality, safety and value of our one-call centers. They may not be perfect at first, but an idea needs to start somewhere. A great discussion with Ryan White, Steve Mumm, Adam Zeciri and Briant Thomas Underground Service Alert of Northern California & Nevada GPRS Locating Dynamics Competers Inc.

Coming soon! The winter issue of American Locator. We complete our focus on natural gas utility systems for locating and other utility pros and bring you highlights from this year's Roundtable event. Subscribe today and have the first look at every new issue delivered straight to your inbox. All subscribers can view articles via our website as well. Contact us for advertising opportunities! We appreciate your input and support in making damage prevention our top priority. https://lnkd.in/gWVq6GG

Haymarket, VA- October 15th, 2024 A contractor fixing a water line hit a gas main, eventually blowing up a home displacing the two families that lived there. Amid the devastation, one remarkable survival story emerged: A family dog presumed dead was found alive in the rubble SIX days later with no major injuries. A silver lining for losing your home and everything you own in one day. We'll be diving deeper into this incident in Digging Dangers 35. Thank you to all current sponsors, reach out if interested! Pipeline Association for Public Awareness NEW YORK 811, INC Blue Stakes of Utah 811 Louisiana 811 One-Call Of Wyoming, Inc. Miller Pipeline JULIE, Inc. (Illinois One-Call System) OHIO811 Underground Service Alert of Northern California & Nevada Tennessee 811 Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc. NUCA of Las Vegas Mississippi 811, Inc. Virginia 811 (Virginia Utility Protection Service, Inc) MISS DIG 811 Sunshine 811 Georgia 811 #NM811 #SouthDakota811 #811Chicago