ESTEVAN - The Saskatchewan Common Ground Alliance (SCGA), a coalition of more than 90 construction companies, facility owners and communities, was busy promoting “Dig Safe” month in April.
Estevan had its chance to host a breakfast on Thursday morning at the Beefeater Plaza. The event was supposed to happen on April 20, but had to be postponed a week due to a winter storm that hammered the southeast region.
After breakfast, a video was shown to the audience. A lot of the footage was from the Estevan area, and among those interviewed were Southeast College staff members and students.
Kaleigh Churko, a journeyman electrical pipeline technician from Pembina Pipeline Corp. was the MC for the event. She said the video had a little bit of everything.
She reminded the crowd that underground locates are now valid for 30 calendar days instead of 10 working days.
“Let’s not forget that if the original markings are disturbed before the 30 days, you do need to get them relocated,” said Churko.
They also cover encroachments for both underground and overhead facilities, the dangers and increased costs of working too close to those facilities, the rights people have as workers and safe hand-digging techniques.
“Building overtop of facilities is an encroachment and can put you in danger of a serious incident or hefty fines. Knowing your three-point rights as a worker is essential for safe and happy workplace. It’s all right to speak up if you feel the job you’re being asked to do is unsafe,” said Churko.
The SCGA encourages people to ask questions.
She also told the crowd about the importance of having a safe digging plan so everyone can go home safe at the end of the day.
“Following safe digging practices can help the digging community avoid lengthy project delays, costly damage to lines and equipment, disruption of essential services, property damage, environmental concerns, and serious personal injury and even death,” said Churko.
Churko noted the SCGA has 23 industry sponsors planning these events to promote safe digging and excavation.
“We know they are committed to damage prevention to underground infrastructure, the prevention of worker injury or death due to unsafe digging practices and the promotion of the national organization of the Canada Common Ground Alliance’s best practices,” said Churko.
Sask. First Call should be the first entity people contact, but she said it should not be the only call.
