Hydro layoffs and locate delays

You may have read this week the potential delays to Manitoba Hydro locates as a result of the announced layoffs. Please know the MHCA is communicating with government and Manitoba Hydro, relating to the importance of timely locates to construction projects. 

With the spring digging season here, WORKSAFELY™ wants to remind our companies to always request a locate to ensure underground utility lines are marked before digging.

Striking a single line can cause costly repairs, fines and inconvenient outages. Worse, it can cause serious injury and, in rare cases, death. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, requires a visit to ClickBeforeYouDigmb.com. 

During May and throughout the year, we remind our companies to “click before you dig” to minimize the risk of striking an underground utility line. It really is the only way to Know What’s Below. 

The depth of utility lines can vary for a number of reasons, including erosion, previous digging projects and uneven surfaces. That means the risk of striking an underground utility line exists even when digging a few inches. 

The “Click Before You Dig” campaign’s goal is to keep Manitobans safe by reducing preventable damages through streamlining locate requests via a one-call notification system. Requesting a utility locate is the first step to a safe excavation. If you have questions or concerns regarding locates please contact Jackie Jones (Jackie@mhca.mb.ca) or your regional safety advisor.