July 10, 2008

Utility Locate Rodeo puts locators’ field skills to the test

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

“Locate from Hell” is the ultimate challenge for any of the 35 locators taking part in first-ever Utility Locate Rodeo, organized by the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA).

“When you see people competing at these events, their faces are pretty intense,” explained Jim Douglas, executive director of the ORCGA. “Whereas in the normal areas of competition participants have 12 minutes to complete the course, in the ‘Locate from Hell’ they have three.”

Douglas first got the idea for a locate rodeo after hearing about one organized in the United States by the Georgia One Call Centre six years ago. He followed its progress and seriously started talking about one for Ontario just 18 months ago.

“We wanted to do this because we spent three years working on a certification for locators to recognize the important skill they perform every day,” said Douglas. “The rodeo is an extension of this. It recognizes the people who do this work and gives them an opportunity to network together.”

Competitors choose to compete in one of four categories: gas, power, water or telecom location. Participation in the “Locate from Hell” is a bonus event. The entire two-day rodeo is being held at the north campus of Humber College. The competition itself takes place tomorrow, Friday, July 11. Today, judges, volunteers and participants will meet, register and attend a welcome dinner.

“We are very excited about this event and it will grow as the alliance has,” said Douglas. “We even have a guest locator from British Columbia who is joining us and our master scorekeeper is from the United States.”

Locators from areas such as London, Niagara, Ottawa, Barrie and the Greater Toronto Area will participate in the event.

Douglas noted that the event also received an enormous wave of volunteers, approximately 35, who wished to help get the rodeo off the ground.

“The alliance has been helping change the face of safety prevention and it is great to see so many people willing to help,” added Douglas.

The ORCGA has been the primary driver in Ontario for one-call legislation that would ensure utility locates information for an area is available with one simple phone call. The ORCGA consists of 230 members, both big and small, from electrical to sewer and watermain contractors.

Frank Zechner, executive director, Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association, said idea of the rodeo is an excellent step for the ORCGA.

“The event is very positive and we encourage and support it,” said Zechner.

“It helps raise public awareness about locates and one-call legislation.”

For more information on the ORCGA visit www.orcga.com.

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