Underground World
Apr 1, 2022
Education is invaluable
I believe you can put an actual dollar figure on the value of education.
Jul 6, 2021
Underground results for 2020 are good and bad
Figures for the landscaping sector are up 12.4 per cent and a whopping 30.5 per cent for the fencing sector.
Sep 2, 2020
The importance of safety is on the rise
The total value and importance of safety has increased over the last six months.
Jul 4, 2020
Where’s the discipline?
We are living in historic times and the unique circumstances we are dealing with present the possibility of several new and significant outcomes.
Jun 15, 2020
Late locate status reviewed
Some recommendations have been proposed to help eliminate late locates this season.
May 6, 2020
Underground hits dramatically reduced
An analysis of sector data from 2019 statistics on underground utility hits.
Apr 3, 2020
2019 was a turnaround year for utility hits
The total number of underground utility hits in the province of Ontario were down from 5,371 in 2018 to 4,934 in 2019.
Mar 15, 2020
Late locates are unacceptable
Get locate requests in early this spring in order to minimize any delay in starting work.
Jan 20, 2020
Special underground industry annual report
A recap of the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance three-day symposium in Collingwood.
Jul 15, 2019
Are you missing out on memberships?
Belonging to a larger group is part of basic human nature.
May 6, 2019
Reduced number of utility hits is encouraging
Latest reports show a five per cent reduction in utility hits across related sectors.
Apr 1, 2019
Educating homeowners at Canada Blooms
Feature garden display helps to reduce the number of underground utility hits.
Mar 7, 2019
ORCGA mission, vision and strategic plan are articulated
A look at the strategic plan for the damage prevention industry.
Jan 29, 2019
Wishes for 2019
A look at how to reduce the number of underground utility hits across various sectors.
Dec 12, 2018
Who does more damage: homeowners or professionals?
An analysis of statistics over the past five years.
Nov 6, 2018
Does advertising to homeowners produce results?
The damage prevention industry looks at ways to reduce utility hits by homeowners.
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Oct 9, 2018
Annual rodeo allows locators to show off their skills
The only event of its kind in Canada, puts the spotlight on locators in the damage prevention industry.
Sep 15, 2018
Are your locates provided on time?
Contractors should not always assume a residential gas line is buried the standard 24-inch depth.
Jul 15, 2018
Utility hits going up, what’s wrong?
A major reduction is needed in the number of utility hits.
Jun 15, 2018
Milton mayor proclaims Dig Safe Month
Dig Safe flag raised at LO's home office in Milton.
May 15, 2018
2016 vs. 2017: No change in utility hits
Green industry still accounts for 15 per cent of all utility hits in Ontario.
Apr 5, 2018
Canada Blooms does it again
ORCGA educates contractors and the public with a display at the annual 10-day event.
Dec 15, 2017
Should membership fees increase?
Just like a business, organizations need to look at what they charge.
Jul 15, 2017
Employee retention helps everyone
A survey helps to identify the top reasons why employees move on.
Mar 15, 2017
2017 Symposium a tremendous success
Two-day event for damage prevention industry held in Niagara Falls.
Feb 15, 2017
Wish list for 2017
Ways to reduce the number of underground utility hits this coming year.
Jan 15, 2017
2016 year in review
A look back at 2016 activities of the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance.
Dec 15, 2016
Good decisions require good data
Annual DIRT Report helps damage prevention industry to identify sectors that need more help to improve.
Nov 10, 2016
The importance of volunteers and members
Volunteers are the life-blood of Non-Government Organizations.
Oct 31, 2016
Garden centre liability: Is there any?
Can a retailer be held accountable once a customer leaves the store?
Jun 15, 2016
Utility hits and locate requests increase in 2015
Each year, damages resulting from insufficient or poor excavation practices account for 33 per cent of utility hits.
Apr 15, 2016
Should landscape contractors do private locates?
A number of training programs are available.
Mar 15, 2016
ORCGA symposium energizes delegates
Annual thee-day event gathers key players in the damage prevention industry.
Feb 15, 2016
An interview with the ORGCA president
Ian Munro answers questions about the damage prevention industry.
Jan 15, 2016
Highlights from 2015
A recap of efforts to reduce underground utility strikes this past year.
Dec 15, 2015
Congress to feature information on utility hits
It has been a very good year in the underground damage prevention movement.
Nov 15, 2015
Contractor receives bill for $11,000
Actual experiences from Landscape Ontario excavating landscape contractors.
Oct 15, 2015
These tips may save you a fine
Here are some items that some members have mentioned during the last couple of months that could save you from receiving a fine.
Sep 15, 2015
Statistics show solid improvement
Congratulations, green industry, you continue to improve.
Jul 15, 2015
Utility hits continue to go down
The green industry statistics show a dramatic reduction in utility hits over the last 12 months.
Jun 15, 2015
Plan your locate requests
Normally the industry starts landscape construction projects on Apr. 1. Everything, of course, depends on the weather.
May 15, 2015
Dig Safe month is a great success
ORCGA dedicates the month of April to marketing underground safety and damage prevention to the public by having key awareness sessions across Ontario.
Apr 15, 2015
April is Dig Safe Month
Branding is an integral part of corporate life and our advertising world.
Mar 15, 2015
Congress was an unqualified success
Again, the Landscape Ontario Congress proved a major success.
Jan 15, 2015
ORCGA plan charts strategic direction
After spending two full days, with the 22-member board of directors, a strategic plan was developed.
Dec 15, 2014
ORCGA promotes safety and professionalism
New members are the lifeblood of any association.
Nov 15, 2014
Congress will feature underground partners
Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) and its member partners will focus on two important areas at Congress 2015 in January.
Oct 15, 2014
Reasons for utility hits remain the same
The landscape and horticultural industry in Ontario will strike underground utilities between 600 and 900 times each year.
Aug 15, 2014
LO hosting ORCGA’s Fall Expo
Last year was the first time for the event. It was attended by more than 200 damage prevention professionals, making it an excellent success.
Jul 15, 2014
How to obtain prompt locates
Ways that landscape contractors can assist with achieving five-day locates and avoid delays and fines.
Jun 15, 2014
The solution to utility locate problems
We have come a long way in establishing this new system of consistent five-day locates.
May 15, 2014
A decade of momentum continues
The landscape industry has done a fine job in the last four years to reduce our hits, let’s keep it going
Feb 15, 2014
Jim Douglas receives Landscape Ontario Trillium Award
In honour of Jim and the ORCGA, Landscape Ontario declared Jan. 8, 2014 as Dig Safe Day at Congress.
Oct 15, 2013
Dig Safe Fall Expo was a great success
Day of sharing and learning was a great success.
Aug 15, 2013
Dig Safe Fall Expo scheduled at Landscape Ontario
First-ever Fall event scheduled for Sept. 12 at the Landscape Ontario home office site in Milton.
Jul 15, 2013
Latest statistics show improvement
Drawing some conclusions from the latest DIRT report.
May 15, 2013
Utility hits remain stable
Statistics show that the landscape sector is constant in the number of utility hits over the last couple of years.
Mar 15, 2013
Alliance celebrates 10th anniversary
Congratulations to the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) for its 10th year in business and all the great work that has been accomplished over that period of time.
Feb 15, 2013
Seminars prevent underground hits
Executing with efficiency and having your staff understand your business technical details contributes to your company’s success.
Jan 15, 2013
Safety fines up in 2013
The Technical Standards and Safety Association (TSSA), which is responsible for the safety of underground facilities, fuels and elevators, has announced higher fines for 2013.
Oct 15, 2012
CSA S250 improves safety
In the landscape industry, landscape architects and contractors are required to produce as-built drawings.
Sep 15, 2012
Industry’s focus and effort needed
The tabulated results of 2011 industry utility hits show that we really didn’t make any improvement in our industry utility hits over 2010.
Aug 15, 2012
Bill 8 officially becomes law
It is expected that it will be in effect within the next 12 months.
Jul 15, 2012
Do not assume your MPP knows
What happened three weeks ago was a complete surprise to me.
Jun 15, 2012
Underground hits down significantly
Underground hits in a category called “Green Industry” by the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) are down some six per cent in 2011 from the previous year.
May 15, 2012
The Underground Police: TSSA
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is as much of a police organization as the Ministry of Labour (MOL).
Apr 15, 2012
Utility strikes can be costly
What should you do if you hit a utility line? The fact that you struck and damaged a utility line puts some liability onto you.
Mar 15, 2012
Are you helping yourself avoid underground damage?
A wise man once said, “If you sit and do nothing, then don’t expect results.”
Feb 15, 2012
Goals for 2012
Some meaningful endeavours are possible and achievable for the landscape industry in 2012, with respect to the underground and the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA).
Jan 15, 2012
Ontario One Call Act
At the Provincial Legislature at Queen’s Park on Dec. 2, the Ontario One Call Act, or Bill 8, received all party support on second reading.
Dec 15, 2011
What the experts are saying
The number of gas line hits by landscapers is on the decline, but more significantly, the number of hits due to lack of locates is constant.
Nov 15, 2011
Reducing utility hits
Last year the landscape industry reduced underground utility hits by 36 per cent.
Oct 15, 2011
Time to raise awareness to bring in One Call legislation
ORCGA is launching a new advocacy website to help raise awareness among Ontarians and Ontario provincial election candidates of the urgent need for mandatory One Call legislation in Ontario.
Sep 15, 2011
Minimize costs if you strike an underground utility
If you have the misfortune to strike an underground utility, it will probably cost you some money.
Aug 15, 2011
Safe excavation update
This will give you an update on the issues within the underground industry over the last 12 months.
Jul 15, 2011
Provincial government axes Bill 180
Bill 180 had passage of the first and second readings in the legislature before the provincial Liberals axed it.
Jun 15, 2011
Review your underground excavation plans
Each spring always check and service all your equipment before starting up your landscape operation.
May 15, 2011
Private backyard locates are necessary
Two recent incidents resulted in two deaths that could have been prevented.
Apr 15, 2011
Landscape sector reduces utility hits
The landscape sector registered an amazing statistic, by going from 542 hits in 2009 all the way down to 360 in 2010.
Mar 15, 2011
Best practices for excavators
Damage prevention officers from key organizations have worked together to develop best practices for excavation contractors.
Feb 15, 2011
First-hand experience shows importance of locates
Mark Humphries has been in the landscape contracting business for many years and has done numerous construction projects.
Jan 15, 2011
Ministry hands out $180,000 fine
A masonry firm, performing a landscape function without locates, struck a propane line.