Toolbox Talks

Work zone safety is about more than cones, signs, and traffic control. It takes planning, communication, and awareness to protect the people working on our roadways and the underground utilities that keep our communities running. In this episode of JULIE’s Toolbox Talks, host Brian MacKenzie sits down with Juan Pava, Safety Programs Unit Chief with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT),...

Big changes are coming to JULIE, and in this episode of JULIE’s Toolbox Talks, we’re taking a closer look at the new OCC system and what it will mean for excavators, utility members, locators and other stakeholders across Illinois. Brian MacKenzie sits down with Matt Rudo and Adam Franco of OCC to discuss the upcoming transition, new tools, training opportunities and some of the features designed...

Before locators arrive, clearly marking where work will take place helps eliminate confusion, improve communication, and make the locating process more efficient. But as our guest Greg Priech of Electric Conduit Construction explains, effective premarking can go much further. Greg shares how his team uses premarking, photos, videos, door hangers, and additional site preparation to help crews arriv...

Working in the heat is more dangerous than many people realize. In this episode of JULIE's Toolbox Talks, host Brian MacKenzie sits down with safety expert Nicholas Guilfoyle, President of Allied Safety Group, to discuss the realities of heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Whether you work in construction, utility locating, landscaping, manufacturing, or any outdoor profession, und...

What happens when utility locates aren't completed on time? Who enforces Illinois' safe digging laws? And what should excavators do when they're following the rules but still can't get their marks? In this episode of JULIE's Toolbox Talks, host Brian MacKenzie sits down with Bill Daniel, Manager of One Call Education & Enforcement at the Illinois Commerce Commission (I...

What exactly is the “Watch and Protect” program — and why is it becoming such an important part of safe excavation in Illinois? In this episode of Julie’s Toolbox Talks, host Jill Sailer and co-host Brian MacKenzie sit down with Aaron Hoerchler, Operations Manager for Kinder Morgan and Treasurer on the JULIE Board, to discuss how Watch and Protect helps prevent dangerous utility damages and keeps...

Ever wonder what happens before the digging even begins? In this episode of Julie’s Toolbox Talks, we go behind the scenes with a real utility locator to uncover the critical role they play in keeping excavation projects safe. From early morning ticket reviews to navigating job site hazards, this conversation dives into the daily life, challenges, and evolving technology of the locating profession...

What makes a good locate request? In this episode of JULIE’s Toolbox Talks, we go behind the dig ticket to explore how better communication and preparation can help keep excavation projects safe and on schedule. Host Jill Sailer and co-host Brian MacKenzie are joined by Kim Kennedy, Operations Coordinator for Electric Conduit Construction and Midwestern Contractors. Kim manages up to 100,000 dig t...

Remote Ticket Entry (RTE) is changing how excavators and contractors submit locate requests—and making the process safer, faster, and more accurate. In this episode of JULIE’s Toolbox Talks, host Jill Sailer and co-host Brian MacKenzie sit down with Paula Browning, JULIE’s Member and Remote Services Manager, to break down how Remote Ticket Entry works and why it’s such a powerful tool for today’s...

Welcome to the first episode of JULIE’s Toolbox Talks, your go-to resource for safe digging and protecting Illinois’ underground infrastructure. In this episode, host Jill Sailer is joined by co-host Brian Mackenzie and special guest Amy Chmura, JULIE’s Director of Education and Strategic Projects, to explore JULIE Essentials — JULIE’s free, online education platform designed for excavators, utili...