The Safety Moment by Utility Safety Partners
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.
Episodes
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...
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, ...
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 Anders...
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.
...
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...
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.
F...
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 h...
Ever wonder what it's like to boldly go beneath the waves in your own personal submarine?
Mike Sullivan reconnects with childhood friend and submersible pioneer Charles “Chuck” Kohnen, CEO of SEAmagine.
Together, they dive deep—literally and figuratively—into Chuck’s journey of building state-of-the-art personal and scientific submarines in California.
Along the way, Charles shares stories of exploring uncharted ...
Safety outreach with a digital twist — what’s changing and why it matters?
Mike Sullivan sits down with Kassi Zaba, Manager of Stakeholder Relations, to uncover the evolution of utility safety outreach in Alberta.
Together, they reflect on their shared 14-year journey, from fax machines and phone calls to a fully digitized “click-before-you-dig” system and the upcoming launch of the Look Up and Live app to promote over...
What if the next big thing in utility safety isn’t underground—but overhead?
Mike Sullivan sits down with Nathan Coutu from ATCO Electric to spotlight the groundbreaking "Lookup and Live" application, a collaborative initiative aimed at reducing overhead power line contacts.
Nathan shares how this Alberta-wide, GIS-based mobile and web app helps users visualize and safely navigate around energized overhead l...
Think locating underground utilities is as simple as spray paint and flags? Think again.
Mike Sullivan sits down with Jimmy Yip, Damage Prevention Manager at Fortis BC, to bust myths and unravel the often-misunderstood process of locating and marking utilities in British Columbia.
They dive into the historical roots of BC's unique paper-based locate model, how regulations shape responses, and why empowering excava...
What do jazz drumming, data analytics, and underground safety have in common?
Mike Sullivan catches up with longtime friend and damage prevention pioneer JD Maniscalco for a heartwarming, insightful, and often hilarious conversation.
JD—former President and CEO of Colorado 811 and co-creator of the DIRT (Damage Information Reporting Tool)—reflects on his career, the origins and evolution of DIRT, and the critical role...
Are you ready for the ultimate safety conference with a hockey twist?
Mike Sullivan takes us behind the scenes of the upcoming Utility Safety Partners Safety Conference in Edmonton, featuring a unique hockey-themed event.
Mike highlights exciting sessions, committee meetings, and a chance to win a one-of-a-kind goalie mask, designed by a renowned artist.
From engaging educational panels to the special recognition of in...
Pipelines are more than steel in the ground—they’re built on passion, resilience, and community.
Mike Sullivan chats with David Hermanson, host of Support Pipelines, about the realities of working in an industry that’s often misunderstood.
From career journeys and mentorship to shifting regulations and public perception, they explore the challenges and rewards of pipeline life.
David also shares how his podcast became...
Is Alberta really the Wild West of utility damages, or is there more to the story?
Mike sits down with Josef Rosenberg, a longtime expert in damage prevention and the contact center manager for Utility Safety Partners.
They dive into the Canadian Common Ground Alliance’s (CCGA) Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) report—what it is, how it's used, and why Alberta consistently reports some of the highest damage...
How do you keep safety fresh after 40 years?
Mike reflects on the journey that began during the pandemic and evolved into a vital resource for the excavation and utility industry.
Mike and guest Doug Downs discuss milestones like Alberta One Call's 40th anniversary, innovative safety measures such as the Alternate Locate Provider (ALP), and exciting projects on the horizon for 2025.
They explore how safety conv...
Have you ever thought about the future of utility locating?
In this episode, Mike talks with Kris Philpott of Planview Utility Services and Iain Stables from Atco about the game-changing technology behind the Alternate Locate Provider (ALP) system.
They dive into the evolution of damage prevention, highlighting the importance of tools like multi-viewer in streamlining and securing data for locators and excavators.
...
How do you measure what didn’t happen?
In this episode, Mike sits down with Wayne Jensen to explore the fascinating concept of quantifying the absence of damage in the damage prevention industry.
They discuss the evolution of safety practices, the challenges of relying too heavily on regulations, and the importance of recognizing proactive behavior in preventing accidents.
The conversation dives deep into the human...
Ready to revolutionize excavation safety?
Mike sits down with Ron Laidman and Iain Stables to explore Alberta's Alternate Locate Provider (ALP) program.
Launched after years of development, the ALP is set to change the game in damage prevention, offering unprecedented flexibility, increased capacity, and improved safety for all excavation projects.
Dig in as they discuss the ALP's impact, the challenges o...
Have you ever considered the risks of working alone in remote areas?
In this episode, Mike interviews Carlin Lutzer, a land agent and realtor, about the unique safety challenges faced by those who frequently work alone.
Carlin shares personal anecdotes and insights, highlighting the importance of preparation, regular check-ins, and leveraging modern technology to stay safe.
The conversation touches on the evolving ...
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