Beneath B.C.: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes of Infrastructure Protection

📅 2 weeks ago

The final installment of the Beneath B.C. series highlights the dedicated professionals who safeguard British Columbia's underground infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, education, and proactive measures in damage prevention.

In a unique six-part feature series by the Journal of Commerce, BC 1 Call sheds light on an industry where success is often measured by what does not occur. The series, titled Beneath BC, illustrates how the achievements in infrastructure rarely make headlines, while a single avoidable mistake can disrupt daily life significantly. The first installment focused on building the future by learning from the past, while subsequent parts explored critical aspects of infrastructure investment, the consequences of utility strikes, essential safety steps, and the role of data in infrastructure planning. The final article in this series emphasizes the individuals who are integral to the safeguarding of B.C.’s underground infrastructure.
The series has been a comprehensive exploration of the underground systems that underpin British Columbia. It has detailed the significance of these systems, the repercussions of their damage, and how shared information and best practices can mitigate risks. The concluding piece shifts focus from systems to the people who bring these systems to life. Each professional, while operating in distinct roles, plays a crucial part in the process of protecting the underground infrastructure of the province.
In 2025, nearly 400 members of BC 1 Call across British Columbia received over 750,000 ground disturbance notifications. Each notification activates a vital first line of defense in damage prevention. The process initiated by a free locate request sets off a series of actions that include notification, planning, field verification, construction, and project completion. Every person involved in this process has the potential to minimize risk before excavation starts.
Ada Nadison, the public safety manager at FortisBC, emphasizes that her work begins long before a locate request is made. Through public education, contractor training, and collaboration with municipalities and industry partners, she strives to ensure that individuals grasp the importance of damage prevention and the decisions that support it. Nadison’s guiding question is, "Will this change someone’s behavior?" The answer to this question shapes her focus. She articulates, "It’s more than sharing information; it’s about influencing behavior through strategic education to the right audience at the right time. Just one new piece of knowledge can lead to safer decisions in the field. A single conversation could prevent a life-altering incident."
As construction planning progresses, educational initiatives and training are put to the test. Leah-Ann Maybee, a safety adviser with B&B Contracting Group, manages around 120 active BC 1 Call tickets simultaneously, ensuring that locate documentation is current and that it informs each project's ground disturbance planning. With 26 years of experience in construction safety, Maybee has noted a recurring issue: routine excavations can escalate into serious incidents when available information is misinterpreted, overlooked, or accepted without proper verification. She stresses that, "If there is a discrepancy, the right decision is to stop and obtain clarification rather than make assumptions."
When excavation transitions from planning to the field, the perspective of utility locators becomes essential. Adam Cappon, General Manager of Quadra Utility Locating, integrates utility records, locating technology, field observations, and professional judgment to assist excavation crews in comprehending what lies beneath the surface. Cappon states, "As a utility locator, our role is to reduce uncertainty before the first shovel enters the ground. The value of a locate extends beyond identifying buried infrastructure; it lies in recognizing when the available information leaves unanswered questions before the ground is broken."
As projects advance, municipal utility managers take on the responsibility of protecting critical community services. Dave Best, the manager of utilities for the City of Penticton, oversees training and operational practices that help municipal crews work safely around essential infrastructure while ensuring reliable public services. Best understands the dangers assumptions can create, noting, "It only takes a few extra moments to investigate uncertainties, review utility locates, and ask questions before excavation begins. Verifying what’s below the surface can prevent incidents that could change someone’s life forever."
Utility owners also provide vital insights into damage prevention. Reza Habibollahi, senior manager of Damage Prevention with Rogers Communications and a BC 1 Call Board Director, collaborates with contractors, municipalities, and other stakeholders to enhance safe excavation practices around communication infrastructure. He believes that effective damage prevention starts before excavation begins, emphasizing the need for contractors to obtain locates, understand site conditions, and coordinate with infrastructure owners whenever uncertainties arise. Habibollahi notes, "When a contractor pauses work to request clarification, they avoid unintentionally striking a gas, electrical, or communications line that supports the community. It’s a powerful reminder that damage prevention is about protecting lives, not just infrastructure."
The infrastructure that lies beneath our feet may be hidden, yet the individuals tasked with its protection deserve recognition. None of the professionals featured in this article claimed to be the most critical part of the damage prevention process; rather, they all pointed to the collective effort required for safe excavation. Each person’s understanding of their responsibilities and the importance of collaboration is key. Information sharing and inquiry are paramount, as success in this industry often goes unnoticed, resulting in uninterrupted utility services, safely completed projects, and workers returning home to their families after a day’s work. For those safeguarding British Columbia’s underground infrastructure, there is no greater achievement than this.

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