The Safety Moment by Utility Safety Partners

Stories and Strategies
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In our modern culture, the safety moment has evolved as brief and casual conversations in which to share. They are the perfect time to bring up safety topics in a non-threatening (though potentially lifesaving) way. The Safety Moment Podcast is produced by Utility Safety Partners – a non-profit corporation that has been providing communication service between the digging community and the owners of buried facilities since 1984. Let’s talk about damage prevention, excavation safety, locating and marking, watching for overhead powerlines, and legislative matters to ensure contractors and neighbours can all do their work safely. Let's talk safety - it's always a good conversation.

  1. 12/10/2025

    How AI Can Improve Utility Safety

    Send us a text What if the biggest threat to underground safety is not technology, but our refusal to change? Mike Sullivan talks with long time damage prevention consultant and investor Jemmie Wang about why the industry feels “safe enough” even as enormous hidden societal costs pile up from every cut fibre and broken line.  Together they explore how advances like affordable high accuracy GPS, smarter ticket management, online locate requests, deep AI mapping, and Alternate Locate Provider models are already proving they can slash damages, yet are still held back by rigid legislation, misaligned incentives, and risk averse culture. They compare Canadian and US approaches, question whether current 811 structures actually serve the people who use them, and ask if slogans like “call before you dig” and “50 in 5” are distracting from the real work of changing the rules of the game.  The conversation circles back again and again to one challenge for boards, executives, locators, and contractors alike: finding the courage to embrace new tools, new models and more flexible laws before the next crisis forces their hand.   Listen For: 4:10 What damage prevention technologies have changed the game in the last decade 7:11 Why does the industry keep doing more of the same instead of embracing new tools 16:31 Should damage prevention rely on more legislation less legislation or something in between 30:10 Why is click before you dig safer and why is it still a hard sell in the United States 56:58 What can Alternate Locate Providers and an Uber style model do to transform locating and reduce damages  Jemmie Wang Website | LinkedIn | Email    Follow The Safety Moment via Utility Safety Partners  X | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

    1h 5m

  2. 10/15/2025

    How FNCA is Reshaping Utility Notification Across North America

    Send us a text What happens when an entire industry decides it’s time to build a new home from the ground up?  Mike Sullivan sits down with Bruce Campbell, Mark Frost, and Roger Lipscomb—the visionary team behind the Facility Notification Center Association (FNCA).  This passionate conversation traces the FNCA's superhero-style origin story, born from the ashes of older systems, into a modern, unified trade association serving 80% of North American notification centers.  From candid reflections on industry fragmentation to the power of collaborative leadership and servant-driven innovation, this episode dives deep into the necessity of FNCA, its mission, and its bright future.  It's a rich exploration of how facility notification centers are banding together—not just to adapt, but to lead.   Listen For: 6:10 What is the history behind North America’s One Call centers? 13:07 Why did One Calls of America and OCSI need to evolve? 29:36 What were the hurdles in transforming OCOA into the FNCA? 37:15 What goals are driving the FNCA’s strategic plan forward? 48:20 How is FNCA future-proofing for AI, volume spikes, and industry change? Facility Notification Center Association (FNCA) Connect with guest Mark Frost Website | Instagram | Facebook | X Bruce Campbell Email| LinkedIn | Website Roger Lipscomb Website | LinkedIn    Follow The Safety Moment via Utility Safety Partners  X | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook   Got an episode idea? info@utilitysafety.ca

    1 hr

  3. 10/01/2025

    How a Cut Cable Caused $77 Million in Damage

    Send us a text What do two clipped fibre optic cables have in common with a $77 million disaster? More than you think. Mike Sullivan recounts a personal travel nightmare that snowballed into a hard-hitting reflection on the staggering societal costs of utility damage.  What began as a delayed flight turned into an eye-opening experience involving 1,800 disrupted flights, 235,000 stranded passengers, and millions in lost productivity, business, and environmental damage—all traced back to a simple infrastructure mishap.  Mike breaks down the direct and indirect costs of such incidents, explores the gaps in utility protection and reporting laws, and emphasizes the critical importance of submitting locate requests.    Listen for: 1:05 How Did a Travel Delay Reveal a Bigger Safety Issue? 4:13 How Does Buried Utility Damage Impact Society at Large? 08:27 What Does $77 Million in Damage Look Like in Real Life? 17:29 Why Do Airlines Operate on Razor-Thin Profit Margins? 25:08 Can Repeat Offenders in Utility Damage Be Held Accountable?   Follow The Safety Moment via Utility Safety Partners  X | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook   Got an episode idea? info@utilitysafety.ca

    37 min

  4. 09/03/2025

    ALP’s 1st Year Success: Near ZERO Utility Damages

    Send us a text What if one simple change could slash utility damages to near zero?  Mike Sullivan brings together a powerhouse panel from both sides of the Canada-U.S. border to celebrate and dissect the incredible first year of the Alternate Locate Provider (ALP) program.  With only two reported damages out of over 30,000 ALP locates, this initiative is rewriting the rules of damage prevention.  Industry leaders—including Jamie Andersen, Iain Stables, Lance Norman, Wayne Jensen, and Ron Peterson share insights on how ALP is driving efficiency, improving safety, and changing the landscape of utility locating.  From enhanced collaboration to future scalability, this episode offers a blueprint for transforming infrastructure safety practices. Listen For: 11:28 Why the ALP Had to Happen 16:15 Game-Changer for the Digging Community 20:44 Why This Could Go Global 53:34 Confronting the Controversy 59:21 The Future of ALP and Utility Safety Guests:  WAYNE JENSEN Website | Sign Up Page IAIN STABLES  Email | Iain’s LinkedIn | Website | ATCO LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram  JAMIE ANDERSEN LinkedIn | Website| Facebook  LANCE NORMAN LinkedIn | Website| Facebook | Instagram RON PETERSON LinkedIn | Website  Follow The Safety Moment via Utility Safety Partners  X | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook   Got an episode idea? info@utilitysafety.ca

    1h 10m

  5. 08/20/2025

    Safety Revolution Sparked by Bellingham Explosion

    Send us a text What does it take to turn unimaginable tragedy into a global movement for safety?  Mike Sullivan sits down with Carl Weimer, former executive director and current advisor to the Pipeline Safety Trust, to revisit the devastating 1999 pipeline explosion in Bellingham, Washington.  Carl shares his unlikely journey from environmental nonprofit leader to one of the most influential safety advocates in the pipeline industry.  Together, they explore the ripple effects of that tragic day, the formation of the Pipeline Safety Trust, the evolution of public engagement, and the ongoing challenges in pipeline safety across North America.  It’s a powerful conversation about accountability, transformation, and the lives behind the headlines.   Listen For: 2:03 - Unlikely Advocate   7:03 - The Day Bellingham Exploded   18:47 - $4 Million and a Mission   33:10 - Pushing Industry to Be Better   55:27 - Where Do We Go From Here?   Connect with guest Carl Weimer LinkedIn | Pipeline Safety Trust  Follow The Safety Moment via Utility Safety Partners  X | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Got an episode idea? info@utilitysafety.ca

    1h 4m

  6. 08/06/2025

    Puppy Powered Purpose

    Send us a text Ever wondered what it takes to raise a superhero on four legs?  Mike Sullivan sits down with Miranda Turenne from BC and Alberta Guide Dogs to explore the incredible journey of raising, training, and placing life-changing service dogs with people who need them most.  From puppies to professional partners, these dogs transform the lives of those living with visual impairments, autism, or PTSD.  The conversation touches on the emotional, logistical, and deeply human side of this impactful work—plus, it all ties into Utility Safety Partners’ very first charity golf tournament benefiting this vital organization.  Listen For: 3:09 What BC & Alberta Guide Dogs is really all about 7:41 Miranda’s unique role as service dog matchmaker 10:30 How dogs “choose” their careers (or not!) 20:53 What guide dogs really do for people with visual impairments 35:35 The heartbreak and fulfillment of saying goodbye to a service dog   Connect with guest Miranda Turenne, Manager, Fund Development at BC & Alberta Guide Dogs Website  Follow The Safety Moment via Utility Safety Partners  X | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook   Got an episode idea? info@utilitysafety.ca

    43 min

  7. 07/23/2025

    The CCGA Story

    Send us a text What do circus tents, telehealth numbers, and federal legislation have in common? They all played a surprising role in shaping Canada’s damage prevention landscape!   In this episode of the Safety Moment Podcast, host Mike Sullivan sits down with Todd Scott, the new Executive Director of the Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA), for a lively and nostalgic journey through the CCGA’s origins, milestones, and future.   From its humble, patchwork beginnings across provinces to national pushes like the 811 campaign and Senate testimonies, Mike and Todd reflect on the hard-won lessons, political bumps, and evolving strategies that built the CCGA into Canada’s national voice for damage prevention. With a new strategic plan in motion, Todd shares his vision for uniting regional partners, strengthening governance, improving data reporting, and ensuring the CCGA stays relevant.   Listen For  2:51 How the regional alliances formed across Canada  12:12 Alberta One Call’s crucial support for CCGA growth  20:46 When the circus almost struck a lateral line  36:21 Railways push back: Political challenges emerge  1:08:01 Symposium spotlight: Halifax 2025 preview   Guest: Todd Scott, Executive Director CCGA Website | Email | LinkedIn    Follow The Safety Moment via Utility Safety Partners X | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook   Got an episode idea? info@utilitysafety.ca

    1h 13m

  8. 07/09/2025

    How Canada’s Pipeline Experts Helped Colombia

    Send us a text What would you do if a colleague invited you to work in Colombia—armed guards, jungle airlifts, and all?   In this episode of the Safety Moment Podcast, host Mike Sullivan sits down with longtime friend and fellow pipeline veteran Brad Burlock to recount their high-stakes, eye-opening journey working abroad on the Enbridge-operated Ocensa pipeline in Colombia.   From sudden evacuations and military escorts to learning humility in a foreign work culture, this conversation sheds light on what it's truly like for Canadians working overseas—especially in high-risk industries.   Listen For  7:31 From Saskatchewan to Colombia  11:11“Would You Go to Colombia?”  26:40 Explosion Alert Mid-Flight  33:37 Snakebite Kit and Jungle Soldiers  56:56 The Learjet Card: Just in Case You’re Kidnapped    Follow The Safety Moment via Utility Safety Partners X | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook  Got an episode idea? info@utilitysafety.ca

    59 min
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About

In our modern culture, the safety moment has evolved as brief and casual conversations in which to share. They are the perfect time to bring up safety topics in a non-threatening (though potentially lifesaving) way. The Safety Moment Podcast is produced by Utility Safety Partners – a non-profit corporation that has been providing communication service between the digging community and the owners of buried facilities since 1984. Let’s talk about damage prevention, excavation safety, locating and marking, watching for overhead powerlines, and legislative matters to ensure contractors and neighbours can all do their work safely. Let's talk safety - it's always a good conversation.

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