Damage Prevention Conference Sessions

This course will instruct the student to be a safe and effective flagger. Understanding proper flagger operations and the standard skillset of a good flagger is stressed, along with identifying legal flagger control references and learning traditional flagger practices for various situations.

*Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional (CNLP) 4 Credit Hours

*Water Operator CEUs 3.5 Credit Hours

Learn how to protect yourselves, your co-workers, and your community.

The UDig NY Certified Excavator Program in Safe Digging Best Practices (CEP) has set a new standard for training New York State professional excavators in the proper procedures of excavation.

When a person has successfully completed the CEP, they are certified by the one-call center for five (5) years*, demonstrating a fundamental understanding of the Safe Digging Best Practices that should be used for safe excavation in accordance with the Common Ground Alliance Best Practices and New York State Code Rule 753.

Not only do participants establish or refresh their in-depth knowledge on the law and best practices of safe digging to prevent damages to underground facilities, but also to brand themselves or their companies.

*Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional (CNLP) 1 Credit

*Engineering, Surveying, Geology CEUs 1 Credit

*Water Operator CEUs 1 Credit

In this course you will refresh your knowledge of the processes and practices for safe digging in compliance with NYS Code Rule 753. This course counts as a renewal for the Certified Excavator Program.

*Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional (CNLP) 1 Credit

*Water Operator CEUs 1 Credit

This course explores the industry standards in utility marking. From appropriate line spacing, to correct letter height, this course emphasizes the best ways to put paint and flags on the ground to accurately depict underground utilities. Using marking standards set forth by the Common Ground Alliance, this course can assist you in ensuring the markings that you provide are visible and align with best practices in the state.

*Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional (CNLP) 1 Credit

*Wastewater Operator CEUs 1 Credit

*Water Operator CEUs 1 Credit

The possibility of severe injury and death exists whenever an excavation takes place. As part of your project plan, personnel should know what actions to take immediately if a trench-related emergency happens and how to prepare for the arrival of EMS/ Emergency Response/ Rescue agencies.

This presentation will provide an overview of preparing for and working around a trench rescue scene before the arrival of trench rescue personnel. It will also give an idea of what first-in responders should be aware of / may encounter and how to deal with them safely.

Accelerate your workflow with Exactix, the online location request submission and management platform from UDig NY. Whether you are just considering using Exactix, or are a seasoned pro, there will be something new for everyone to learn in this practical training.

*Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional (CNLP) 1 Credit

*Wastewater Operator CEUs 1 Credit

*Water Operator CEUs 1 Credit

Projects require soil removal. Contractor/Municipality/Private Industry excavators and laborers perform contract work and respond to emergencies requiring various sizes and depths of excavations. Before digging and working in these trenches or holes, consider who or what was located before we arrived and what may have been spilled or been present in the soil from past operations, industries, or accidents.

This presentation will explore the potential for and typical unforeseen issues regarding chemical and biological contaminants, possible hazards to excavation workers, possible legal implications, and considerations/assessments before starting work.

*PIE (Practicing Institute of Engineering) 1 Credit

A unique view on pairing Utility projects with Municipal Maintenance/Upgrades for the benefit of both parties. A way to extend your funding for the good of your constituents. A path to minimizing adverse impact on the traveling public and your residents.

*Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional (CNLP) 1 Credit

*Wastewater Operator CEUs 1 Credit

This course covers the human and equipment-related issues in protecting workers from fall hazards. A few topics covered in this training are recognizing when fall protection is required and selecting appropriate safeguards, including guardrail systems, personal fall arrest systems, and controlled access zones. Conforms to OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M

This course is designed to cover multiple OSHA regulations about fire prevention, fire watch, and fire extinguisher use. Conforms to OSHA 29 CFR 1970.157 and 1926.150

J. Joseph Wilder, Esq. has been recognized as a “Super Lawyer” and has represented construction companies and public utilities for nearly 40 years. He will discuss statutory, regulatory, and common law duties related to excavation sites and explain various judicial decisions regarding liabilities.

Invasive Species Regulations: going over key invasive species regulations and framework.

Troublesome Invasives: going over invasive species ID and characteristics for noxious species will take over areas and spread quickly.

Dealing with a damaged but still-live power line is one of the most hazardous scenarios a utility lineman has to face, and it affects people in the community who may come in contact with live wires without knowing it. Join us for an eye-opening Live Line demonstration from NYSEG, demonstrating the dangers of damaged power lines and strategies to mitigate risk. Sparks will fly in this exciting and valuable safety demo.

*Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional (CNLP) 1 Credit

The Locating Breakout Demo is an informal session which gives attendees the freedom to speak with several equipment and service providers as they demonstrate their locating resources. Eastcom Associates, PowR Mole and Ravi Engineering will be showing off their utility locating equipment and answering questions about their process. These companies have the tools, resources, and knowledge to help improve your locating procedures.

In these small group sessions, Member Facility Operators have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with UDig NY’s Member Services team. Learn about member responsibilities under Code Rule 753, as well as the many services that are available to members from UDig NY. Members will also be able to get hands-on support with any questions that they have related to member services.

Learn about the latest innovations and breakthroughs in technology with application for accurately and efficiently locating underground utilities.

*Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional (CNLP) 1 Credit

*Water Operator CEUs 1 Credit

This class will outline the basics behind electromagnetic locating. Attendees will be given a general understanding of today’s instruments’ different functions and options and learn how to maximize their use in the field. The course is oriented towards everyday applications.

We encourage attendees to bring their locating equipment regardless of manufacturer to help them maximize their potential.

Join leading local construction companies in a joint discussion in new safety and excavation technologies and best practices. Each participating panel member will discuss a new tool that has helped them on their job sites to keep their employees safe and prevent utility infrastructure from damage. Attendees will have an opportunity to discuss and ask questions to the panel

*Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional (CNLP) 1 Credit

*Wastewater Operator CEUs 1 Credit

*Water Operator CEUs 1 Credit

Situational awareness is not just relevant for personal safety; being situationally aware at work helps prevent errors, improves decision-making skills, and makes worksites safer and damage free. This class will outline some basics on preconstruction observations (what to look out for on the job site), assessing risks (understanding what is marked out in the work area), and applying your professional knowledge to the overall situation.

Join industry experts in a joint discussion on excavation safety and how as an excavating community we all can strive to prevent underground utility damages. This discussion will focus in on the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) goal of reducing damages by 50% in the next five years.

In these small group sessions, meet face to face with UDig NY’s webservices team. These sessions are an opportunity to get hands-on assistance with any questions that you have related to online location request entry, Exactix roles and permissions, and more.