Toolbox Talks

Big changes are coming to JULIE, and in this episode of JULIE’s Toolbox Talks, we’re taking a closer look at the new OCC system and what it will mean for excavators, utility members, locators and other stakeholders across Illinois.

Brian MacKenzie sits down with Matt Rudo and Adam Franco of OCC to discuss the upcoming transition, new tools, training opportunities and some of the features designed to make ticket management easier, more precise and more user-friendly.

The conversation covers the December 15, 2026 go-live, the upcoming testing and training schedule, the new sandbox environment, ticket scheduling, Positive Response, 24/7 online ticket entry, map-first ticket design, electronic white lining, the EyeSight platform, API integrations and more.

The new map-first approach allows excavators to more precisely identify where work will take place, while features like ticket scheduling can help break larger projects into manageable segments and provide additional notice to facility operators. The guests also discuss how the system is designed to serve everyone from large organizations to smaller excavators and utility members.

The episode also looks at the role these tools can play in damage prevention by improving communication, providing more detailed information about excavation sites and helping ensure that the right information reaches the people who need it.

Key dates discussed in the episode:
• October 12, 2026 — Member testing and sandbox access are expected to begin
• November 1, 2026 — Training begins for excavators and other system users
• December 15, 2026 — Planned go-live for the new OCC system

If you work with JULIE tickets, now is the time to start preparing, watch for upcoming communications and take advantage of the testing and training opportunities as they become available.

Subscribe to JULIE’s Toolbox Talks for more conversations about safe digging, damage prevention and protecting Illinois’ underground infrastructure.

Before locators arrive, clearly marking where work will take place helps eliminate confusion, improve communication, and make the locating process more efficient. But as our guest Greg Priech of Electric Conduit Construction explains, effective premarking can go much further.

Greg shares how his team uses premarking, photos, videos, door hangers, and additional site preparation to help crews arrive ready to work. He also explains how these practices can help contractors save labor hours, reduce delays, prevent disputes over existing damage, and most importantly, protect their crews from potential injuries.

In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why premarking is so important for accurate locates
• How premarking improves communication between contractors, locators, and utility owners
• How documenting existing site conditions can protect contractors
• Why door hangers and communication with property owners can make a difference
• How verifying Positive Response before crews arrive can prevent unnecessary delays
• How premarking can save time, money, and labor
• Why safety and company-wide buy-in are essential to a successful premarking process
• Simple ways contractors can improve their own premarking practices

Whether you're an excavator, utility professional, locator, or homeowner, taking the time to prepare before work begins can make a big difference.

Learn more about JULIE and safe digging resources at juliebeforedig.com.

Working in the heat is more dangerous than many people realize.

In this episode of JULIE's Toolbox Talks, host Brian MacKenzie sits down with safety expert Nicholas Guilfoyle, President of Allied Safety Group, to discuss the realities of heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Whether you work in construction, utility locating, landscaping, manufacturing, or any outdoor profession, understanding how heat affects your body could save your life—or the life of a coworker.

Nick explains why heat-related illnesses can affect experienced workers just as easily as new employees, why humidity matters just as much as temperature, and why hydration starts long before your workday begins. You'll also learn the warning signs to watch for, common misconceptions about working in the heat, and practical strategies to stay safe during the hottest months of the year.

In this episode you'll learn:
- What heat stress actually is
- Common myths about working in hot weather
- Why hydration starts the day before
- The importance of acclimatization
- Heat safety for lone workers
- Best drinks for staying hydrated
- Why energy drinks can make things worse
- Signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
- When it's time to call 911
- Resources every employer and worker should know about

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with your coworkers. A few minutes of preparation can prevent a serious injury—or save a life.

For more damage prevention resources and safe digging information, visit JULIE and always remember to contact 811 before you dig.

What happens when utility locates aren't completed on time? Who enforces Illinois' safe digging laws? And what should excavators do when they're following the rules but still can't get their marks? In this episode of JULIE's Toolbox Talks, host Brian MacKenzie sits down with Bill Daniel, Manager of One Call Education & Enforcement at the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). With more than 30 years of damage prevention experience, Bill provides an inside look at how the ICC helps enforce the Illinois Damage Prevention Act and works to keep excavators, locators, utilities, and the public safe. 

Topics covered include: 

- The ICC's role in damage prevention enforcement 

- Common violations by excavators and facility operators 

- Why timely locates remain a challenge 

- Large project coordination and joint meets 

- The impact of fiber expansion projects across Illinois 

- Locator workforce challenges 

- Practical advice for excavators and contractors 

- How enforcement helps improve safety and compliance 

Whether you're an excavator, locator, utility operator, contractor, municipality, or homeowner, this episode provides valuable insight into the shared responsibility of damage prevention. Learn more at JULIEBeforeYouDig.com 

What happens when utility locates aren't completed on time? Who enforces Illinois' safe digging laws? And what should excavators do when they're following the rules but still can't get their marks?

In this episode of JULIE's Toolbox Talks, host Brian MacKenzie sits down with Bill Daniel, Manager of One Call Education & Enforcement at the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). With more than 30 years of damage prevention experience, Bill provides an inside look at how the ICC helps enforce the Illinois Damage Prevention Act and works to keep excavators, locators, utilities, and the public safe.

Topics covered include:

- The ICC's role in damage prevention enforcement
- Common violations by excavators and facility operators
- Why timely locates remain a challenge
- Large project coordination and joint meets
- The impact of fiber expansion projects across Illinois
-  Locator workforce challenges
-  Practical advice for excavators and contractors
-  How enforcement helps improve safety and compliance

Whether you're an excavator, locator, utility operator, contractor, municipality, or homeowner, this episode provides valuable insight into the shared responsibility of damage prevention.

Learn more at JULIEBeforeYouDig.com

What exactly is the “Watch and Protect” program — and why is it becoming such an important part of safe excavation in Illinois?

In this episode of Julie’s Toolbox Talks, host Jill Sailer and co-host Brian MacKenzie sit down with Aaron Hoerchler, Operations Manager for Kinder Morgan and Treasurer on the JULIE Board, to discuss how Watch and Protect helps prevent dangerous utility damages and keeps crews, homeowners, and communities safe.

From high-pressure natural gas pipelines to communication breakdowns on job sites, this conversation dives into real-world examples of how excavation accidents happen — and how they can be prevented.

You’ll learn:

- What Watch and Protect actually means
- Why utility marks don’t tell the whole story
- The risks of digging near major pipelines
- How communication prevents costly damages
- Real stories from the field
- How new technology is changing pipeline monitoring

Whether you’re a contractor, locator, homeowner, or utility professional, this episode is packed with practical insight that could help prevent the next major incident.

Ever wonder what happens before the digging even begins?

In this episode of Julie’s Toolbox Talks, we go behind the scenes with a real utility locator to uncover the critical role they play in keeping excavation projects safe. From early morning ticket reviews to navigating job site hazards, this conversation dives into the daily life, challenges, and evolving technology of the locating profession.

You’ll hear:

What a typical day looks like for a locator
Why pre-marking is a game changer
The biggest challenges locators face today
Real stories—including a near-miss with a high-pressure gas line
How homeowners and contractors can make locates safer and more accurate

Whether you're a contractor, homeowner, or industry professional, this episode will change how you think about what’s happening underground.

What makes a good locate request? In this episode of JULIE’s Toolbox Talks, we go behind the dig ticket to explore how better communication and preparation can help keep excavation projects safe and on schedule.

Host Jill Sailer and co-host Brian MacKenzie are joined by Kim Kennedy, Operations Coordinator for Electric Conduit Construction and Midwestern Contractors. Kim manages up to 100,000 dig tickets every year, giving her a unique perspective on what contractors, locators, and crews can do to improve the locate process.

In this conversation, Kim shares practical advice for anyone submitting a locate request—from preparing information before calling 811 to using maps, communication, and technology to make the process smoother for everyone involved.

You’ll also hear how the industry has evolved over the years, why communication between excavators and locators is critical, and how new tools like Positive Response systems are helping improve damage prevention.

If you work in excavation, utilities, or construction, this episode is packed with real-world tips to help you dig smarter and safer.

🔹 Topics Covered:

What makes a good locate request

Tips for new users submitting 811 tickets

How technology is improving damage prevention

Communication between excavators and locators

Preparing accurate descriptions and maps for tickets

Learn more about safe digging in Illinois:
👉 https://www.juliebeforeyoudig.com

Remote Ticket Entry (RTE) is changing how excavators and contractors submit locate requests—and making the process safer, faster, and more accurate.

In this episode of JULIE’s Toolbox Talks, host Jill Sailer and co-host Brian MacKenzie sit down with Paula Browning, JULIE’s Member and Remote Services Manager, to break down how Remote Ticket Entry works and why it’s such a powerful tool for today’s excavation professionals.

With more than 25 years of experience at JULIE, Paula shares expert insights on:

How Remote Ticket Entry works and how easy it is to get started

Why excavators have more control and accuracy when submitting tickets

How detailed information leads to better locates and improved safety

New enhancements like map uploads, attachments, joint meets, and upcoming planning & design features

Common misconceptions about RTE and the support available to users

This episode highlights why better communication leads to better outcomes—and how Remote Ticket Entry helps protect underground infrastructure while keeping projects moving.

🔗 Learn more about Remote Ticket Entry and JULIE resources at juliebeforeyoudig.com

🛠️ Safe digging starts before the shovel hits the ground. Always contact JULIE before you dig.

#ToolboxTalks #RemoteTicketEntry #SafeDigging #ExcavationSafety #DigSafeIllinois #JULIEBeforeYouDig

Welcome to the first episode of JULIE’s Toolbox Talks, your go-to resource for safe digging and protecting Illinois’ underground infrastructure.

In this episode, host Jill Sailer is joined by co-host Brian Mackenzie and special guest Amy Chmura, JULIE’s Director of Education and Strategic Projects, to explore JULIE Essentials — JULIE’s free, online education platform designed for excavators, utility professionals, locators, and homeowners.

You’ll learn:

- Why JULIE Essentials courses were created

- Who can benefit from them (from new hires to seasoned professionals)

- How flexible, on-demand learning supports busy crews

- How micro-learning and mobile access make training easier

- Common misconceptions about JULIE and how education clears them up

Whether you’re working in Illinois every day or digging here for the first time, this episode shows how education plays a critical role in damage prevention and safe excavation.

▶️ Learn more about JULIE Essentials at julieessentials.com

🔔 Subscribe for future episodes of Toolbox Talks.