Event Summary
The Safe Digging Process will provide a 5-step overview of how safe digging takes place in North Carolina. This process is similar to other states but will be specific to North Carolina. Discussion will be targeted to excavators and/or the person or group responsible for the excavation. All in attendance will benefit from this overview.
The Importance of 3 will tackle damage prevention from the roles that each stakeholder plays in the process. The stakeholders are excavators, utility locators, and utility operators. Ron Peterson, Executive Director of NULCA—formerly the National Utility Locating Contractors Association and now recognized as “Nulca – Representing Utility Locating Professionals”—will join this class to discuss damage prevention and NULCA’s role on a national level. As an expert in damage prevention, Ron brings valuable insights to the conversation.
For excavators, the presentation will cover specific actions that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of a utility damage taking place along with effectively working with the other stakeholders.
For utility locators, the presentation will be tailored to 3 things utility locators or contract utility locators can do to improve damage prevention and work with the other 2 stakeholders.
For utility operators, the presentation will speak to efforts the utility operators can take to reduce damages to their plant. Talking points will be related to plant maintenance, plant installation and contracted excavator recommendations, and working with utility locators to improve their damage prevention program.
Attendees will receive 2 Professional Development Hours (PDH) upon completion.
Course Objectives
Participants will learn how stakeholders need to work together to improve damage prevention and how the safe digging process supports that goal. At the conclusion participants should be in a good position to understand their individual role/responsibility within the process to help reduce the likelihood of damaged lines on their plant.
Who Should Attend
Individuals who are responsible for operations and maintenance activities, construction and engineering activities, and general inspection activities. Operators who have specific individuals/teams responsible for damage prevention would be highly recommended to have these individuals/teams attend the session.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Jessie Spires
General Manager–Field Operations, Health Consultants, Inc.
Jessie serves as Western Region General Manager—Field Operations for Heath Consultants Incorporated and is responsible for all operations in the Western Region, from Ohio West to Washington State and South to Mexico.
Jessie’s Region employs over 600 Field Technicians and almost 40 Service Operations Management Team Members.
Experience:
Jessie entered the Damage Prevention era after serving in the United States Navy for 6 years, in 1991, as a Field Technician. Since then, Jessie has worked in every state, with the exception of Alaska, as both a Field Technician, Trainer, Field Supervisor, Regional Director, and now General Manager.
Jessie has locate experience with the following utilities:
➢ Communications (To Include: Telephone (Fiber/Copper); CATV
➢ Gas
➢ Power
➢ Water
➢ Sewer
➢ Steam
Jessie has worked for Heath Consultants Incorporated for 12 years and is on the Executive Board for NULCA (National Utility Locating Contractors Association). Jessie’s additional responsibilities include building and working with current clientele and attending Damage Prevention meetings and shows, to include CGA (Common Ground Alliance).
Shawn Baumgardner
General Manager-Field Operations, Health Consultants, Inc.
Shawn Baumgardner is 1 of 2 General Managers of Field Operations for Heath Consultants. Shawn currently has responsibility for most of the southeast and Texas and is responsible for all service operations within this footprint. Shawn Baumgardner’s area completes 3 million locate requests, compliance leak survey and atmospheric inspections, and performs meter reading services in some areas for several clients both large and small. Shawn’s area employs over 600 Field Technicians and nearly 40 members of the service operations management team.
Experience:
Shawn Baumgardner entered the damage prevention industry in 1995. Since then, Shawn has worked in several states, in various roles, and for multiple contract locating companies. For the last 7 years, Shawn has been the primary point person for Heath Consultants locate operations when he came on board with the addition of new, large contract with a gas operator based out of North Carolina. Other than leading the day-to-day operations of his footprint, Shawn’s other duties include building strong relationships with Heath Consultants clients, attending damage prevention meetings and shows including CGA, and Shawn is currently co-Primary of the Best Practices Committee for NULCA.
