January 28-30, 2025
DoubleTree by Hilton
Lafayette
Agenda
Click on the + to see brief description.
Tuesday January 28, 2025
Competent Person Workshop | 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Speaker: United Rentals
Offsite Location: GasTEC Training Facility, 1400 W. Irene Road, Zachary, LA 70791
OSHA requires that a “Competent Person” be on your construction or maintenance site whenever workers are exposed in an excavation.
Applied to trenching or excavation operations, the Competent Person (CP) must have specific training and be knowledgeable of the requirements of the standard, soils analysis and use of protective systems. In addition, the CP must have authority to take immediate corrective measures to eliminate unsafe conditions. TrenchSafety’s Competent Person Training Program is designed to help you meet OSHA’s training requirements.
Registration includes an instructional workbook, a wallet card and certificate indicating successful completion of the class.
Damage Investigation Workshop | 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Speaker: Roger Cox, ACTS Now
OK, you’ve had a damage, now what? Whether you are the utility owner/operator, excavator or the locator of record; the one thing you’ll have in common now is a need for a quality damage investigation. Just determining the facts about the damage is not enough. The objective of this workshop is to teach the participant how to conduct a quality damage investigation. If the investigation doesn’t determine clearly why the damage occurred, it is likely to reoccur. Additionally if the investigation itself is not clear, concise and complete, you are more likely to be responsible for damages and/or fines even if you were not responsible for the damage. Attend this workshop and learn what makes a photograph a good photograph, learn the value of telling the story of the damage with sketches and photos and presenting your findings with credibility. This workshop is for anyone who has ever been involved in a damaged utility line and tried to identify who was “at-fault” instead of gathering the facts.
Utility Locator Skills Enhancement Workshop | 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Speaker: Bob Nighswonger, Utility Training Academy
Dive into an intensive, hands-on workshop designed for utility locators of every skill level, from beginners to seasoned professionals. Our Utility Locator Skills Enhancement Workshop is tailored to empower participants with a comprehensive understanding and practical know-how for efficiently locating buried utilities such as pipes, cables, and wires. Regardless of your experience, you’ll find invaluable insights and techniques to refine your locating strategies.
This is a brand-neutral workshop. Participants should bring their line detection tools.
Course Overview
Part 1: Damage Prevention Orientation & Site Marking Communications
We kickstart this workshop with an essential orientation on the universal goal of preventing excavation damages and the role that every stakeholder plays in the process. This segment also unravels the language of excavation site markings and tolerance zones. The information provided will paint and flag markings into dialogue between utility operators and the excavator or excavation crew. You’ll leave this part equipped to place and interpret any dig site markings and grasp the critical messages they convey.
Part 2: Locating Technologies, Theory, and Equipment Operation
Immerse yourself in the world of locating technologies, understanding the fundamental signal wave theories that are fundamental for effective line locating and troubleshooting problem locates. This section offers a hands-on exploration of applying signals using an EM transmitter and harnessing a signal receiver for accurate detection and tracing of underground utilities. Learn to navigate the challenges of signal distortion and interference with expert techniques and actionable knowledge.
Part 3: Hands-On Outdoor Training
The culmination of your learning experience, this outdoor session puts theory into practice. With your line locating equipment in hand (please bring your own), this non-equipment specific training offers a unique opportunity to apply your new skills in a real-world setting. Receive personalized tips on maximizing the efficiency and accuracy of your equipment, directly from industry experts.
Join us for a day of skill-building, knowledge-sharing, and hands-on learning to elevate your utility locating abilities to the next level.
Summit Golf Outing | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
TopGolf
10955 N Mall Dr,
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Includes Lunch buffet plus 2 Games of TopContender based on team competition.
Disaster Preparedness Roundtable | 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Facilitator: Steven Giambrone, Dept. of Natural Resources – Office of Conservation
This session will include stakeholders from various utility companies, regulatory personnel and the LA One Call team. Discussions will center around the lead up to a natural disaster and the aftermath and how utilities can work together to restore services while minimizing damages and delays.
Louisiana 811 Reception | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Located in the Exhibit area, with networking, food and drinks for all.
Wednesday January 29, 2025
Welcome & Opening Remarks | 7:45 AM - 8:00 AM
Your Reputation is Your Brand | 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM
Speaker: Scott Wozniak, Swoz Consulting
This session revolves around the importance of consistency and how best to utilize immediate feedback for continuous improvement. Understanding the value of branding can create successful relationships for your customers, your coworkers and other stakeholders.
LADNR Damage Prevention Updates | 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Speaker: Steven Giambrone, Dept. of Natural Resources – Office of Conservation
This session will cover the progression of the enforcement program reviewing statistics over the years from 2017 to present along with a discussion of any issues there may be in the field.
The Damage Prevention Institute's Role in the CGA goal of 50 in 5 | 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Speaker: Sam Hall, Damage Prevention Institute
ConnectLA | 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Speaker: Veneeth Iyengar, Executive Director of ConnectLA
A presentation on the efforts of Louisiana to bring broadband service to rural Louisiana including the scope of the program and the challenges faced.
Lunch - Awards Ceremony | 12:00 PM - 1:20 PM
Trailer Vac Demo | 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Vermeer
Meet at Registration
Networking with Exhibitors | 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
Best LA 811 Mobile APP/Tablet and Locator Ticket Management (LTM) Usage Tips and More! | 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM
Speaker: Nakeytha Williams, ITIC Coordinator, One Call Concepts
Shana Fleming, Database Administrator, One Call
What to Expect From The DNR | 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM
Speaker: Greg Galle and Schirmer Durio, Department of Natural Resources
Utility Replacement on DOTD ROW | 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM
Benefits of Locator Certification | 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM
Speaker: Mike Parilac
Summit Reception / Door Prizes | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday January 30, 2025
Clarification of Amendments to Dig Law | 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM
Speaker: Brent Saltzman, Louisiana 811
Recent amendments to Louisiana’s Dig Law have had an impact on safe digging in Louisiana. And of course, there are always conversations outlining what needs to be addressed next. These discussions are generated by feedback from stakeholders like you. Many times the feedback centers around questions you have. Attend this session to have your questions answered.
Effective Communication | 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Speaker: Molly Smith, Kinder Morgan
Understanding the OSHA Competent Person and the Regulatory Requirements | 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Speaker: Rightor Cobb, Alliance Safety Council
There are over 125 requirements for a competent person in the OSHA regulations. This presentation will review the definition of a competent person and how OSHA determines that a competent person is meeting the definition. Also discussed will be best practices for employers in creating a competent person training program and a review of a competent person checklist.
No More Excuses: How the Digital Revolution Is Solving the Abandoned Line Challenge | 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Speaker: Chris Stovall, Line-Scape
This session will cover a case study in how the digital revolution helped one of the largest pipeline companies in the U.S. solve their challenges with abandoned lines and a look forward to the digital future of our industry.
What Matters at the End of the Day | 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Speaker: Vic Weston, Tri-State Boring
Locate Rodeo | 1:00 PM - 5:30 PM
L’Auberge Hotel
777 L’Auberge Ave, Baton Rouge
Mandatory Rules meeting: 1:00pm
Competition starts: 1:30pm