MILWAUKEE - Spring marks the return to digging season, and like every year, The Utility Expo renews its commitment to excavation safety across the construction industry. Every April, National Safe Digging Month brings leaders, contractors, and crews together to prioritize one of the most important components of the job: protecting underground infrastructure and the people working and living near it.
At The Utility Expo, we stand with Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the driving force behind National Safe Digging Month, in championing a culture of safety and awareness that protects workers, the public, and the essential infrastructure below our feet.
Partnering for a Culture of Safety
At The Utility Expo, we’re proud to provide a space where safety takes center stage. From live equipment demos to hands-on workshops and educational sessions focused on underground infrastructure, our event is where forward-thinking professionals gather to raise the standard.
We are excited to announce a new partnership with the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) to further enhance our commitment to excavation safety. This partnership will bring new resources, training programs, and collaborative initiatives to The Utility Expo, ensuring that safety remains a top priority for all attendees.
“We recognize that organizations like CGA are leading the way in safety culture with public awareness and industry collaboration, and we are thrilled to bring these initiatives to life at The Utility Expo in 2025,” said The Utility Expo Show Director Brianne Somers. “CGA helps to ensure everyone, from industry professionals to property owners and home gardeners, has the information and resources they need to dig safe.”
“We are honored to partner with The Utility Expo to further our shared mission of promoting excavation safety,” said CGA President & CEO Sarah Magruder Lyle. “This collaboration will provide invaluable opportunities to educate and engage with industry professionals, enhancing our collective efforts to protect underground infrastructure and the communities we serve. Together, we can foster a culture of safety that prioritizes awareness, accountability, and proactive prevention measures.”
The Impact of Unsafe Digging
Each year, underground utilities are struck thousands of times across the U.S. The CGA 2023 Dirt Report reports more than 200,000 severe damaging incidents impacting underground infrastructure. A trend consistent with 2022. These incidents often result in serious injuries, service outages, expensive delays, and sometimes death. CGA data shows that there are more than 500 dig-in incidents every day. These are not just data points, these are people, jobsites, neighborhoods and vital public services.
As industry leaders, contractors, homeowners and municipalities, it is everyone’s responsibility to ask the right questions before each dig: Did we contact 811? Have we double-checked utility responses? Are our teams equipped with the training and tools to dig smart? Such as CGA’s National Safe Digging Month Toolkit.
“Anyone who is digging a hole, whether you are paid to do it, or you’re a homeowner putting in a mailbox, building a deck, or planting a tree, you call 811,” said Vice President of Common Ground Alliance’s Damage Prevention Institute, Sam Hall. “For the safety of the people working and living near underground utilities and to help ensure those utilities deliver the products and services their customers expect, it is essential that all stakeholders uphold their responsibilities to prevent excavation damage.”
Building With Purpose
Our exhibitors bring technology that detects buried lines more accurately, automate jobsite alerts, and help teams coordinate workflows. But all the advanced technology on Earth doesn’t replace human accountability and leadership.
“National Safe Digging Month is a meaningful reminder of the responsibility we all share in protecting the people and infrastructure that keep our communities running,” said Somers. “At The Utility Expo, we’re committed to fostering a culture where safety is second nature and awareness is part of every decision. We are proud to provide a platform that supports education, innovation and collaboration around the industry’s dedication to safe digging practices.”
As we observe Safe Digging Month, we encourage all industries to reflect on what is below the ground and who is above it. Every dig can impact someone’s father, mother, sister, brother, coworker, neighbor or friend. Every excavation is an investment in someone’s well-being.
We invite everyone to lead by example. Make the call, ask questions, and talk about the risks. Safe digging is not just for April, it is for every day of the year.
“Excavation safety is a shared responsibility, and beyond that, stakeholders in excavation safety are truly accountable to one another to do the right thing,” said Hall. “And when everyone fulfills their obligations properly, everyone wins.”
Learn More About Safe Digging with Common Ground Alliance’s Education Portal.
About The Utility Expo
The Utility Expo is the largest event for utility professionals and construction contractors seeking comprehensive insights into the latest industry technologies, innovations and trends. The biennial trade show, known for equipment test drives and interactive product demonstrations, takes place in Louisville, Ky. The next event will be October 7-9, 2025.
About Common Ground Alliance
CGA is a member-driven association of nearly 4,000 damage prevention professionals spanning every facet of the underground utility industry. Established in 2000, CGA is committed to saving lives and preventing damage to North American underground infrastructure by promoting effective damage prevention practices. CGA has established itself as the preeminent source of damage prevention data and information to reduce damages to underground facilities in North America through shared responsibility among all stakeholders. For more information, visit CGA at commongroundalliance.com.
About AEM
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is North America’s premier trade organization representing off-road equipment manufacturers and their value chain partners. With a rich history spanning over 130 years, AEM serves more than 1,100 members companies across 200+ product lines in multiple sectors including construction, agriculture, mining, utility, and forestry. AEM supports an industry that contributes approximately $316 billion annually to the U.S. economy while sustaining 2.3 million jobs. Through advocacy, market intelligence, and industry collaboration, AEM works to advance the interests of equipment manufacturers and their partners in the global marketplace.
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