Minnesota Damage Prevention Meetings
Yesterday, the second Damage Prevention meeting in Minnesota was held. The first meeting was in Shakopee on Wednesday, March 4th and the second meeting was in Maplewood. Over 200 people attended each of these meetings. Attendees included excavators, contractors and locators. Pipeline companies had table top displays and offered useful give-aways to attendees.
Each year the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety (MNOPS) and Gopher State One Call (GSOC) coordinate with utility coordinating committees and utilities to hold Damage Prevention meetings throughout the state. This year, the Minnesota Common Ground Alliance (MNCGA) also participated.
The purpose of these meetings is to educate and discuss damage prevention of underground facilities. With the increase in the number of construction projects and new people entering the construction trade, it is more important than ever to utilize safe excavation practices at each excavation site, each day. It is the goal of the excavation community that each employee return home safely at the end of their work day.
At the meetings this year, MNCGA reviews the purpose of MNCGA, asks you to become involved and discusses the importance of identifying private or customer owned facilities that do not get marked by facility operators. GOSC highlights the new website and the soon to be released E-Ticket update. MNOPS discusses key safety learning lessons by reviewing case studies.
Over 30 Damage Prevention meetings are being held throughout the state during March and April. A full listing of meetings and registration can be found on the MNCGA website www.mncga.com/damage-prevention-meeting-info. All meetings are free.
We look forward to seeing you at your local Damage Prevention meeting.
Barb Cederberg
COO, Gopher State One Call