March 15, 2015
Students attending Congress 2015 thought it was an amazing experience to see the new equipment, new products showcase, nurseries and all the associated exhibitors, including the safety organizations and to network with industry professionals.
Congress was an unqualified success
By Terry Murphy CLM
Again, the Landscape Ontario Congress proved a major success. I can always gauge the success level by listening to my Horticultural Technician apprenticeship students from Mohawk College. They thought it was an amazing experience to see the new equipment, new products showcase, nurseries and all the associated exhibitors, including the safety organizations and to network with industry professionals. Many students were surprised at the quality time that many exhibitors gave them.
Congress was also a solid success for the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA). The goal going in was a ‘Theme of 25 and 25’, namely 25 sign-ups for membership into ORCGA and 25 firms to apply for Alternative Locate Agreements (ALAs) with the utilities. These were ambitious goals. We only signed-up one member at the show, but we did create a very good list of potential firms who are interested in receiving more information on why they should join. Fifteen firms joined ORCGA following the show. We are now following up with other firms and hope to increase our membership by two dozen by the end of March.
ALAs are agreements with industry firms, whereby the firm agrees that it will not excavate deeper than 11 inches. This is ideal for irrigation companies, companies doing annual and perennial plantings, and those laying sod. The firm must still call Ontario One Call and get the proper paperwork. It could be advised over the telephone that the firm does not need to wait for any locate markings to be on the ground before digging. All regular steps to obtain a locate through Ontario One Call are required. The only difference is that you don’t need to wait for the locate company to put the actual marking on the ground. The whole idea is to not hold up the excavator and delay a project because the locate company is too busy and overloaded that personnel can’t do the locate markings. This is especially true in the spring months.
ORCGA’s winter symposium was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Toronto last month. This event included seminars, a trade show and guest speakers in the damage prevention industry. The three-day event attracted 300 industry professionals.
The month of April will see our annual Dig Safe campaign, which will have over 100 events scheduled at various venues across the province. The idea is to educate the public about the potential dangers that exist when digging on their own residential or commercial properties. The public must obtain locates when they dig, just the same as a contractor is required to call Ontario One Call.
Each ORCGA regional council is looking for volunteers to help at the local Dig Safe campaigns in April. If you can afford a couple hours of time, these Councils can use your help. It is also a great time for networking and sharing local business opportunities.
If you have any comments, suggestions or questions on any underground damage prevention issue or about the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance or its Councils, please contact me at tvmurphy@ca.inter.net. I always look forward to your thoughts, ideas and concerns. Thank you.
Terry Murphy can be reached at tvmurphy@ca.inter.net.
Again, the Landscape Ontario Congress proved a major success. I can always gauge the success level by listening to my Horticultural Technician apprenticeship students from Mohawk College. They thought it was an amazing experience to see the new equipment, new products showcase, nurseries and all the associated exhibitors, including the safety organizations and to network with industry professionals. Many students were surprised at the quality time that many exhibitors gave them.Congress was also a solid success for the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA). The goal going in was a ‘Theme of 25 and 25’, namely 25 sign-ups for membership into ORCGA and 25 firms to apply for Alternative Locate Agreements (ALAs) with the utilities. These were ambitious goals. We only signed-up one member at the show, but we did create a very good list of potential firms who are interested in receiving more information on why they should join. Fifteen firms joined ORCGA following the show. We are now following up with other firms and hope to increase our membership by two dozen by the end of March.
What are ALAs?
As far as ALAs are concerned, many firms are still learning about the opportunities this arrangement will present. We had more than 40 firms inquire at our various exhibitors. These firms are currently being sent forms to complete the ALA application process. Enbridge Gas took down contact information and is now sending out the required information. Enbridge will also share these contacts with the other utilities that were present at Congress. Each landscape industry firm must have a separate ALA agreement with each utility.ALAs are agreements with industry firms, whereby the firm agrees that it will not excavate deeper than 11 inches. This is ideal for irrigation companies, companies doing annual and perennial plantings, and those laying sod. The firm must still call Ontario One Call and get the proper paperwork. It could be advised over the telephone that the firm does not need to wait for any locate markings to be on the ground before digging. All regular steps to obtain a locate through Ontario One Call are required. The only difference is that you don’t need to wait for the locate company to put the actual marking on the ground. The whole idea is to not hold up the excavator and delay a project because the locate company is too busy and overloaded that personnel can’t do the locate markings. This is especially true in the spring months.
ORCGA’s winter symposium was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Toronto last month. This event included seminars, a trade show and guest speakers in the damage prevention industry. The three-day event attracted 300 industry professionals.
The month of April will see our annual Dig Safe campaign, which will have over 100 events scheduled at various venues across the province. The idea is to educate the public about the potential dangers that exist when digging on their own residential or commercial properties. The public must obtain locates when they dig, just the same as a contractor is required to call Ontario One Call.
Each ORCGA regional council is looking for volunteers to help at the local Dig Safe campaigns in April. If you can afford a couple hours of time, these Councils can use your help. It is also a great time for networking and sharing local business opportunities.
If you have any comments, suggestions or questions on any underground damage prevention issue or about the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance or its Councils, please contact me at tvmurphy@ca.inter.net. I always look forward to your thoughts, ideas and concerns. Thank you.
Terry Murphy can be reached at tvmurphy@ca.inter.net.