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Q1 - 2023 UNDERGROUND NETWORK

In this edition we recap how the new year has started. January, February and March has seen the SCGA plan for the annual breakfast program, attend trade shows and talk abandoned lines and the future of damage prevention in Saskatchewan.


When you are reading this Dig Safe month activities are underway and it is a great opportunity to remind our community we have a Youth Ground Disturbance Program geared toward high school or summer students. It's free and informative. For more information go to Youth Learning – SCGA.


Finally, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released its final investigation report on the 2021 Minell Pipeline incident where a farmer ruptured a natural gas pipeline in McAuley, Manitoba, while using a tractor to maintain a water drainage channel in his field. The pipeline did not have adequate soil coverage, creating a serious safety hazard. Thankfully, no one was injured, but ensuring an incident like this doesn’t happen again is a priority.



2023 SCGA Membership

invoices have been emailed. We thank you for prompt payment.



UPDATE FROM SASK 1ST CALL

In April, we turn our thoughts to warmer days ahead. As we know on the prairies, Spring will arrive according to its own calendar, not ours. However, as sure as the sun rises, the snow will eventually melt, and Spring planting and digging activities will begin in earnest. We have been busily preparing for another busy digging season for homeowners and contractors alike. In the contact centre, we have just completed training of some new agents and they are eager to help their first customers. 

 

April is Dig Safe Month, so the SCGA will be holding safety breakfasts around the province. Be sure to drop in for some eggs and important messages about damage prevention and safety. We remind you that requesting utility locates is easy to do online at Sask1stCall.com, and that online requests have the best safety outcomes because the ground disturber is the best one to draw an accurate dig site for the facility owners and their locators. There are several Live Chat agents available to answer your questions and help you complete the process - no robots here!


We also host live webinars for first timers and for more seasoned users to demonstrate all the functions available online. If you can't make a webinar, you can view recorded ones on our site.


Did you know you can edit or relocate any of your tickets online? Did you know that preserved locate marks are valid up to 30 days now? There is always something new to learn!

 

We wish you all a warm and safe Spring. Don't forget to Click Before You Dig and stay safe!


Sask 1st Call contact information: 


  • Member data updates, tickets inquiries, notification changes, etc

Email beforeyoudig@sask1stcall.com

Phone 1-866-828-4888 option 3

 

  • Invoicing Inquiries

Email distributionaccounting@saskenergy.com

 

  • All other inquiries

Email beforeyoudig@sask1stcall.com

Sask 1st Call Locate Request
Sask 1st Call operates Monday to Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., and is closed weekends and holidays. Online requests can be made 24 hours a day. 

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Do you have questions about requesting a locate online? Sign up for a free Webinar to learn more about this process!

Go to sask1stcall.com

SCGA in the Community 2023


  • SUMA – April 14 – 16 – Saskatoon
  • Prairie South School Division Try a Career Expo - May 3 - Moose Jaw
  • Work Safe Grade 9 Try a Career - May 16 - May 18 - Balgonie 

If you haven't responded we are still accepting feedback surrounding a Saskatchewan Ground Disturbance Training Standard(s).  


What is a training standard? It defines the minimum requirements for knowledge transfer content and protocols that will form the basis of the assessment/audit for ground disturbance training programs seeking the “Endorsement” of the SCGA.  


What is the objective? To establish trust and certainty within the buried facility owner/operators and the digging community, that persons achieving certification from “SCGA Endorsed Training Programs” have been trained to a consistent level, with curriculum that is current, accurate and legislatively compliant, as defined by the SCGA through the publication of the Ground Disturbance 201 and/or 101 STANDARD(s).


What is the cost? Once the STANDARD is developed and published, all endorsement process and audit requirements are funded by the training providers seeking endorsement. Thereafter, a minimal fee is paid to the SCGA for every certificate issued by the endorsed training provider. The on-going fees are earmarked to fund the on-going administrative costs to maintain and promote the STANDARD(s).


Click Here to begin survey

April is Dig Safe Month – SCGA and there is still time to register for a breakfast in a community near you!


Click here to register!




At the SCGA we often hear "what can I share at a safety meeting" or “what is a good topic to discuss during our tailgate meetings”? 

 

The SCGA has a number of made in Saskatchewan videos prepared for anyone’s use, why not check out the SCGA - YouTube channel and choose a playlist! There is great content for any safety related meetings.



Save the date the 2023 CCGA Damage Symposium is scheduled for Quebec City, November, 2023

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Want to find out more about becoming a sponsor or a member contact executivedirector@scga.ca! 
Interested in becoming a member of the SCGA click here!
The Saskatchewan Common Ground Alliance (SCGA) is a member driven, non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring worker and public safety, environmental protection and the integrity of services. Started in 2007. We have 95 members who share the SCGA's goals to promote effective damage prevention best practices and to ensure the safety of those who work or live in the vicinity of underground and overhead facilities. Protecting our vital services is everyone’s responsibility.
The SCGA is one of 7 regions of the Canadian Common Ground Alliance – other regions include British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. We utilize national branding (Dig Safe and Click Before You Dig) for damage prevention and integrate it in SCGA communication and promote to stakeholders. 
See our current members listing here.