Learn From the Unexpected with Jason Ponciano of Vannguard Utility Partners

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Created: Friday, 15 December 2023 12:50

Written by Courtney Ommen

The latest Learn From the Unexpected video features Jason Ponciano, Minnesota State Manager at Vannguard Utility Partners. Jason discusses the importance of white lining and how it can impact both the locating process and your overall project. Check out LearnFromTheUnexpected.com/GSOC to watch the video.

About Learn from the Unexpected
The damage prevention industry isn’t always predictable. Gopher State One Call believes in learning from the unexpected moments that do happen and proactively working to avoid damages. Through these efforts, we can all work towards a safer future.

That’s why we’ve introduced our Learn From the Unexpected video series. These videos feature Minnesota-based damage prevention professionals like you and allow community members to share their stories so that we can all work smarter and safer as our industry continues to grow. Visit LearnFromTheUnexpected.com/GSOC to learn more and watch the videos.

Submit Your Story
Have you faced the unexpected at a jobsite or found something especially useful in avoiding unexpected damages or delays? We want to hear about it! Submit yourself or a colleague to be entered for the chance to be featured in an official Learn From the Unexpected video. Those selected will also earn the honorary title of Damage Prevention Influencer and receive a $200 Visa gift card that you can use for anything from a new pair of work boots to a much-deserved dinner out. To submit, scroll to the bottom of LearnFromTheUnexpected.com/GSOC and click “Submit Your Story.”

Boundary Surveys: Answering Five Frequent Questions

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Created: Wednesday, 15 November 2023 13:09

Written by Courtney Ommen

Gopher State One Call (GSOC) processes four types of Non-Excavation Tickets: Owner Inquiry Request, Non-Excavation Ticket (Design Information Notice), Engineering/Pre-Con Meet Ticket, and Boundary Survey. This blog focuses on the use of the Boundary Survey Tickets in Minnesota. Keep reading to learn the answers to five frequent questions about this type of Non-Excavation Ticket.

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Support Children's Minnesota at the 2023 Day of the Dozers

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Created: Tuesday, 19 September 2023 09:12

Written by Courtney Ommen

Gopher State One Call (GSOC) will be participating in the 2023 Day of the Dozers, supporting the important efforts of Children’s Minnesota. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the ERX Motor Park in Elk River, Minnesota.

The Day of the Dozers is a family friendly event hosted by the Minnesota Utility Contractors Association (MUCA) that allows families to get up-close and personal with heavy equipment while learning about the construction industry, damage prevention, and safety. During the event, kids ages three to 10 can ride in construction vehicles and heavy equipment (alongside operators), and the entire family can play in the giant sand pit, explore various activities, and enjoy food from local food trucks.

GSOC remains an annual sponsor of the event’s 811 Kids Activity Zone. The activity zone provides a fun and engaging way to introduce underground utility safety and damage prevention to young Minnesotans. It’s also a great opportunity for adults to connect with 811 professionals and ask questions about contacting GSOC before digging, buried utility safety, or any other utility questions.

The 2023 Day of the Dozers is gearing up to be the best one yet! We invite you to join us and help surpass last year’s record-breaking $100,000 raised for Children’s Minnesota. This year’s funds will go towards the brand new Pediatric Hybrid Intraoperative MRI suite. Click here to learn more about this ground-breaking technology used to perform brain and spine scans during procedures for conditions such as brain tumors, epilepsy, and traumatic injuries at Children’s Minnesota.

Click here to register now or visit MUCA’s FAQ page for more information the event.

2023 811 5K Run/Walk Promotes Safe Digging in the Twin Cities

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Created: Monday, 28 August 2023 13:10

Written by Courtney Ommen

The 2023 811 5K Run/Walk turned out to be a great success bringing Minnesotans together to raise awareness for safe digging. Held August 12, 2023, at Bde Maka Ska’s Thomas Beach in Minneapolis, this year’s event featured participants from the Twin Cities and the surrounding suburbs, a damage prevention-focused vendor fair, and the annual Kid’s Race.

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Summer Yard Projects? Stay Safe!

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Created: Thursday, 29 June 2023 09:18

Written by Courtney Ommen

Click or call before you dig in your yard; it’s easy and it’s the law.

(St. Paul, Minn., June 26, 2023) Hidden dangers may lurk below the surface of your very own yard. Striking an underground electrical wire or gas line when digging for your summer home improvement project could be both dangerous and expensive, but there’s a sure-fire way to stay safe.

Clicking on the Gopher State One Call website or calling 8-1-1 results in a fast, free service to mark underground utilities, allowing you to pursue your home projects with confidence.

“It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s the law,” says Barb Cederberg, Chief Operations Officer of Gopher State One Call, the Minnesota non-profit organization that notifies utility companies of your intent to dig so that they can provide utility markings for commercial and residential digging or excavation projects.

According to Cederberg, homeowners who don’t Click or Call may strike underground water, electrical or gas lines. She said accidents often occur for common digging projects, including planting trees, fencing, patio construction or other home improvement projects. Gas lines or other utilities can be surprisingly close to the surface. She suggests a quick and easy method to avoid problems:

1. Plan ahead. Click onto www.gopherstateonecall.org or call 8-1-1 at least three business days before digging. Enter your information, and utility company locators will arrive at your home to mark the utility lines. Please note, for privately owned lines such as a gas line to a grill or an electric line to an out-building, a private locator must be called for marking of these lines.
2. Wait for the marks. Wait for the locators and their markings before digging.
3. Dig with care. Carefully dig around the designated areas, ensuring you avoid any marked lines.

Cederberg emphasized that beyond the safety aspects of calling ahead for utility markings, it is Minnesota State law to do so.

“It’s incredibly easy, plus it’s free. Just a little planning will assure your safety while giving you confidence before wielding your shovel or post hole digger for your summer project.” Cederberg said.

About Gopher State One Call
Gopher State One Call was established by state law in 1987, following a horrendous pipeline accident explosion in Mounds View, MN. It is governed by a volunteer board of about 20 directors representing utilities, excavators and other safety-minded individuals. More information on scheduling marking before your dig is available at www.gopherstateonecall.org.