FortisBC awards companies for safe digging excellence

The third annual FortisBC Excavation Safety Awards recognizes safe digging

SURREY, BC, Nov. 1, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the recipients of the third annual FortisBC Excavation Safety Awards are being recognized at the Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) annual symposium in Whistler. The Excavation Safety Awards are awarded to companies that have a record number of tickets into BC One Call without any line damages within the last three years. This year, the recipients are RS Line Construction Inc. and Rokstad Power - two construction businesses based in the Lower Mainland.

"Safety is a joint responsibility and we are very pleased to work closely with BC One Call and the CGA to raise awareness of safe digging practices by acknowledging exemplary companies in the communities we serve," says Ian Turnbull, damage prevention and emergency services manager at FortisBC. "As such, we are honoured to recognize RS Line Construction and Rokstad Power, two businesses who share our safety values and show that by working safely around our infrastructure."

FortisBC processed over 145,000 requests into BC One Call to locate underground natural gas infrastructure across its service territory last year. To qualify for these awards, companies have to request a significant amount of BC One Call tickets and have no record of damaging FortisBC underground infrastructure in the last three years. In 2017, RS Line Construction Inc. had 2,323 BC One Call tickets with no line damages and Rokstad Power had 2,381.

"This award means so much to our team and community because it illustrates that when we invest energy and resources into safe practices, the result is a safe and compliant culture," says Carly Smith-Dugas, vice-president of RS Line Construction Inc. "Our province, and specifically the Common Ground Alliance, offers our industry high safety standards and it is not only our duty but our source of pride to meet those high standards."

"We are honoured to receive this award and to continue our great relationship with FortisBC. The BC One Call system is an essential tool for completing our work safely all over the province," says Bryan Plowe, vice-president, T&D Services, Pacific Division of Rokstad Power. "BC One Call provides us with the information and assurance we need so all members of our Rokstad team can perform their work safely out in the field. We thank FortisBC for this award and all the individuals working in the BC One Call department – you play a critical role in ensuring the safety of hundreds of Rokstad Power employees each and every day across the province."

For more information about the importance of safe digging, visit fortisbc.com/digsafe.

FortisBC Energy Inc. is a regulated utility focused on providing safe and reliable energy, including natural gas, propane and thermal energy solutions. FortisBC Energy Inc. employs more than 1,800 British Columbians and serves approximately 1,008,400 customers in 135 B.C. communities. FortisBC Energy Inc. owns and operates approximately 49,000 kilometres of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines. FortisBC Energy Inc. is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. For further information visit www.fortisinc.com.

SOURCE FortisBC

MEDIA CONTACT: Diana Sorace, Corporate Communications Advisor, FortisBC, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected], fortisbc.com, @fortisBC, 24-hour media line: 1-855-322-6397