Digging Deep: An OKIE811 Podcast

We had a great time during the 2022 Oklahoma Excavation Safety Expo. Don't take just our word for it, we asked attendees, exhibitors, and trainers what it was like to be a part of the EXPO. Listen to what they had to say, and plan on being part of next year's largest conference in Oklahoma dedicated to excavation safety and damage prevention.

On Digging Deep this month, we discuss the importance of a shared vision from different stakeholders in the Damage Prevention Industry. Listen in as Jason Crowe of Green Equipment Company and Tim Teel with Summit Utilities share their perspectives in collaborating to keep excavators safe and utilities protected from damage.

There have been a few updates to the Oklahoma Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act that went into effect on November 1, 2021. In this special episode, OKIE811's Executive Director, Susan Bohl joined Jeff Kaufmann of the Oklahoma Gas Association to discuss these changes and how it affects the one-call process.

We wrap up the OKIE811 series with a conversation with Jerrell Welch, Director of Operations. We discuss the technology used to process locate requests from mapping to phone systems. The future of damage prevention with advancements in technology are improving the safety of workers around underground facilities. Check out this podcast for some serious Damage Prevention Geek talk.

The OKIE811 Series continues with this week's guest, Angie Niemeyer. Angie is the Director of Business and Education Services. We discuss the evolution of OKIE811's Education and Outreach efforts over the last 15 years and look to the future with new ideas. Listen in as M.G. talks with his boss about all things OKIE811.

This month we are going to celebrate 811 Day (August 11th) by providing a series of podcasts about OKIE811. In our first episode, we sit down with our Executive Director, Susan Bohl, to discuss the changes in OKIE811 since the establishment of the organization and through her leadership.

Working safely in Oklahoma is about preparedness. Not only do you need to contact OKIE811 prior to your excavation projects, you need to be prepared to work in Oklahoma extreme temperatures as well. John Graham with EMSA Oklahoma shares with us how to be prepared and stay safe when working in the heat of summer, and the cold of winter.

Cecilia Stewart of Enable Midstream joins us this week to discuss their efforts in public awareness and communication with excavators. We share stories of how to go beyond what the locate request says in order to be more proactive for future projects. Enable Midstream and OKIE811 collaborated in providing 811 information to mandarin speaking workers in Oklahoma, check out how that came about in th...

Tim Teel, Damage Prevention Coordinator of CenterPoint Energy shares with us the importance of 811. Being a local distribution company, CernterPoint Energy promotes safe digging not only to professional excavators but also the general public and homeowners. We discuss getting the message to anyone who may use a shovel.

Tux Jackson of Plains All American joins us to discuss the importance of 811 and damage prevention. We explain the responsibilities of underground facility operators in the one-call process. The discussion breaks down the operator's role in public awareness before the call and damage prevention after the locate request has been made.

In this special episode of Digging Deep we sit down with Cherokee Ballard from Oklahoma Natural Gas to discuss the significance of National Safe Digging Month and the importance of contacting OKIE811 before you dig.

Jason Crowe, Green Equipment Company, joins us to discuss damage prevention culture. All stakeholders of underground facilities have a role in protecting workers, promoting safety, and prevention of damage. By utilizing partnerships within the industry our efforts can be more successful and rewarding.

During our talk with Betsey Kulakowski with Oklahoma Safety Council, we discuss our partnership, upcoming events, and training that OSC provides. Be sure to listen about OSHA changes because of the pandemic and the new presidency.

We sat down with Jim and James for an episode of their podcast "Coffee with Jim & James" from Energy Worldnet.   Coffee with Jim & James Podcast Channel: https://open.spotify.com/show/061lVDa6FLXBw9skqDpiiW?si=cOK3ZKgUT1yQydOhGkbnpA

Carl Carlson, Safety Director and Risk Manager of Becco Contractors talks with us regarding the importance of using 811. We discuss best practices, lessons learned, and how to properly utilize 811's services.

Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that about 25 workers are killed each year in trench-related mishaps. Trenching Safety is an important topic and in today's podcast, Ben Montoya of Tri-State Safety Services discusses the best practices regarding trenching. 

In this episode of The OKIE811 Podcast, OSC's Executive Director, Betsey Kulakowski, and M.G. discuss National Safety Month, our upcoming conferences, and how or organizations provide safety training.

Locating technology is a major factor in damage prevention. Jason Crowe and I discuss the importance of understanding underground utility locating to have a safe excavation project.

 In this special episode we take a look at how OKIE811 has adjusted and navigated in response to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Join us in this episode as we give a brief overview of some of the best practices for safe excavation in the state of Oklahoma.

The OKIE811 Online Certification Course covers all you need to know about best practices and safe digging in the state of Oklahoma. This course is online and completed anywhere and on your own time. This course is also 100% FREE to you. To learn more go to OKIE811.training

Join us as we talk with Cherokee Ballard with Oklahoma Natural Gas on the importance of safe digging and always contacting OKIE811 before you dig.

When you call 811, the federally designated call-before-you-dig number, you protect yourself and others from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines. There are millions of miles of buried utilities beneath the surface of the earth that are vital to everyday living like water, telecommunications, electricity and natural gas. In this podcast we discuss the importance of always contacting 8...