Utility strikes are more than just a production delay; they are a massive financial liability and a significant threat to crew safety. For years, the people actually doing the digging were left out of the policy-making rooms, resulting in a system where locators and excavators often operate at odds. We sit down at the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) conference to discuss how the "boots on the ground" are finally taking a seat at the table to overhaul damage prevention.

We get into the technical and tactical substance of what is actually happening in the trenches with John Fluharty, Chase Lapcinski, and Brent Hunziker. This conversation covers the high failure rates of current locate software, the necessity of "safe harbor agreements" for sharing utility mapping, and why the industry is pushing for specific line items for potholing in civil contracts. We also explore the unique role of DPAC in lobbying for better legislation and why the "missing middle" of communication between owners and contractors is causing 40 distinct points of failure on a single job site.

The unglamorous truth is that our industry currently operates more on risk transfer than actual safety, with many utilities prioritizing low-bid locators over quality results. You will walk away from this episode with a clear understanding of the legal and financial traps inherent in the 811 system and a roadmap for how to document your work to avoid five-figure bills years after a project is completed.

If you care about crew safety, civil infrastructure, and protecting your bottom line from utility damages, you’ll get a lot from this. Please Subscribe and Share to help us get this message to more contractors across the country. What is the biggest hurdle you face when trying to get an accurate utility locate in your state?

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