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Board-led workshops identify "failure to notify 811" as top cause; participants ask board to produce shareable training materials
Summary
Two stakeholder workshops held in January and February 2025 prioritized 'failure to notify 811' as the top root cause of underground damages; attendees asked the board to develop training materials stakeholders can use in their own safety programs.
Board staff reported on two coordinated education-and-outreach workshops (Jan. 16 and Feb. 27, 2025) that brought excavators, utility owners, notification centers and other stakeholders together to diagnose common causes of underground damage and identify practical training priorities.
A staff summary given to the board said the workshops used Common Ground Alliance (CGA) damage-data tools and stakeholder input to rank root causes. Workshop participants selected “failure to notify 811” as the top issue for the board’s 2025 outreach work.
Staff said attendees asked the board to create training materials focused on that topic that stakeholders could adopt and distribute. The board’s Education & Outreach Committee plans further workshops; the next one is scheduled for May 2, and staff will present stakeholder-developed materials at the board’s annual education meeting.
Why this matters: Participants noted that different types of excavators (professional contractors, landscapers, and homeowners) have distinct training needs and that locator shortages and access to private property are regional pain points. Industry representatives suggested partnering with licensing, permitting and insurance stakeholders to increase reach.
What the board will do: Staff will continue the workshop series through 2025 and collect input and materials to present at the September 2025 annual education meeting, including draft content the board can publish for operators and excavators.
Ending: The chair and committee staff asked stakeholders to submit topic proposals and offered an extended call for presenters for the September education meeting.
