NY 2015 State Damage Prevention Program Grant

Overview

Main Objective

Under this grant agreement, the Dig Safely New York will enhance a certification program for excavators in safe digging best practices, created by Dig Safely New York. The curriculum incorporates the Nine Elements of an Effective Damage Program, combining various learning styles, including visual, audio, and hands-on. Classes will be intimate in size to allow for group discussions and manageable group work. This Certification Program is tentatively scheduled to roll out in May 2015. Dig Safely New York believes this program will establish a recognized standard of procedures and processes designed to prevent damage to underground pipelines. Successful participants and companies of the Certification Program can use the designation for marketing purposes. Member utilities have already expressed interest in the program and noted that future contracts for third-party excavators could include the stipulation that the organization, employees, or specific employees on the job site must be certified through the One-Call Center. This project will enhance aspects of many of the Nine Elements, including Element 2, 4, 5, 8, and 9. For the purpose of this Grant Application, this project will focus primarily on Element 4.

Public Abstract

Under the terms of this grant agreement, the Recipient will address the following elements listed in the approved application as stated in 49 U.S.C. §60134 (b). * Element 4 (EFFECTIVE EMPLOYEE TRAINING): Participation by operators, excavators, and other stakeholders in the development and implementation of effective employee training programs to ensure that operators, the one call center, the enforcing agency, and the excavators have partnered to design and implement training for the employees of operators, excavators, and locators.

Relevant Files & Links