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Underground Safety Board Education and Outreach Meeting 09/14/2026
Who Should Attend | Location | Date & Time | Registration | Schedule | Exhibitors
- Editors Note: Watch a recording of the meeting here.
You’re invited to the Underground Safety Board’s 2026 Education and Outreach Meeting, a FREE public event focused on excavation safety and damage prevention education. This year’s theme is: Every safe dig begins with 811 – because we’re all connected underground.
This meeting will be available to attend in-person or virtually via Microsoft Teams. In-person experiences include interactive learning, meeting Board Members, networking opportunities, and exhibitor tables.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 4216.17, the Board holds its Annual Education and Outreach Meeting to understand the existing needs and to facilitate discussion on how to coordinate existing education and outreach efforts with state and local government agencies, California operators, one-call centers, and trade associations to encourage safe excavation practices.
Who should attend?
This meeting is free and open to the public. The Education and Outreach Meeting is designed for excavators, operators, utilities, damage prevention experts, safety managers, policymakers, government leaders, and interested community members.
Materials may be found on the meeting docket.
Location:
Auditorium and Lobby, 1st Floor
California Natural Resources Agency
715 P Street,
Sacramento, CA 95814
Date/Time:
September 14, 2026: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Registration:
This meeting is free and open to the public. Registration is not required but will help us plan ahead – and you’ll get event updates and reminders in your inbox.
Register to attend in person or to join the live Microsoft Teams Meeting.
Join Microsoft Teams Meeting without registering.
Meeting ID: 216 667 892 290 392
Passcode: xX2td9HM
To join by telephone on September 14, dial:
+1469-998-6045,,501352445#?United States, Dallas
Phone conference ID: 501 352 445#
Let your network know you’re attending!
Download the “I’m Attending” graphic, post it to your social media channels, and add a caption to tell your network what you’re looking forward to.
Schedule of Events:
Monday, September 14, 2026
8 a.m.
Registration and Exhibitor Tables
9 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
The 2026 Education and Outreach Meeting will kick off with an overview of the Board and its mission to improve public and worker safety, followed by opening remarks from Underground Safety Board Executive Officer Brittny Branaman.
9:15 a.m.
Industry Panel – Emerging Technology and its Impact on Damage Prevention
This industry panel discussion will explore how technology is influencing what is possible today, what will be possible tomorrow, and what a more connected future means for damage prevention.
Panelists:
April Mitchell, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Norfield
Duane Rodgers, Chief Executive Officer, PelicanCorp
Adam Zeciri, Founder, Sub-T & Locating Dynamics
10:15 a.m.
Networking and Exhibitor Table Break
10:30 a.m.
Every Safe Dig Begins with 811: Shared Responsibility of Government Code Section 4216
Subsurface installations connect us all, and safe digging depends on excavators and operators following every step of the 811 process. Adrian Anaya, Senior Policy Investigator, Jeff McClenahan, Senior Policy Investigator and Chrystal Williams, Senior Policy Investigator at the Underground Safety Board will highlight common breakdowns in the 811 process. Using examples of investigations, this session shows how these gaps lead to preventable damages and how stronger communication and compliance keep everyone safe.
10:55 a.m.
Underground Safety Board: We’re All Connected Underground: Advancing Statewide Excavation Safety
Alexandra Augér, Education and Outreach Ambassador, will review the Underground Safety Board’s statewide education and outreach efforts and how they address excavation safety risks and expand access to safety resources. Attendees will hear about the development of a public safety awareness campaign focused on preventing excavation without a USA ticket and learn how to access an online education course designed to increase safe digging knowledge.
11:20 a.m.
811 Notification Centers Updates
Ann Diamond, President at DigAlert, and James Wingate, Executive Director at USA North 811, will provide updates, including their education and outreach activities.
11:50 a.m.
Lunch Break and Exhibitor Tables
1:30 p.m.
Insurance Risks and Leading Causes of Loss Presentation
Jamie Mantzouranis, Senior Loss Control, Alliant Insurance Services, will present on industry data, including the Common Ground Alliance 2025 DIRT Data Summary & Trends, to identify the leading causes of loss, as well as touching on General Liability Insurance and Essential Policy Endorsements.
1:50 p.m.
California Public Utilities Commission Regulatory Updates
Terence Eng, Program Manager, Gas Safety and Reliability Branch at California Public Utilities Commission, will provide an overview of recent enforcement actions and program initiatives relevant to subsurface installation and excavation industries, and will also share CPUC’s approach to damage prevention and public awareness, highlighting key takeaways for stakeholders seeking to enhance safety and compliance.
2:05 p.m.
CO2 Transportation by Pipeline
Alin Podoreanu, Supervising Pipeline Safety Engineer at CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal, will provide an overview of transportation of carbon dioxide by pipelines, regulations governing safe transportation of carbon dioxide in California, and lessons learned from the carbon dioxide pipeline rupture near Satartia, Mississippi.
2:25 p.m.
Understanding Changes that Impact Your Work: Underground Safety Board Regulatory Updates
Jessica Rzeszut, Chief of Education & Outreach, will provide an overview of recent changes to the law that have a statewide impact on excavators, utility operators, and the excavation industry. Attendees will learn about changes to the Dig Safe Act of 2016 (Government Code sections 4216 – 4216.24) and the California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Section 4003, and get information on how to access resources that will help them stay compliant.
2:40 p.m.
Networking and Exhibitor Table Break
3 p.m.
Geographic Information System Presentation
4 p.m.
Underground Safety Board: Resources to Take Action and Opportunities to be Heard
Alexandra Augér, Education and Outreach Ambassador, will share how to access and navigate the Underground Safety Board’s resources, processes, and participation opportunities. Attendees will learn where to find information and educational materials, how to submit a damage notification or complaint, and how to provide input that can help inform the Board’s work.
4:10 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Exhibitors:
California Regional Common Ground Alliance, Norfield, PelicanCorp, Rust-Oleum, SubT & Locating Dynamics, USA North 811
Keep the conversation going!
Watch a recording of the meeting here.
Download and post the “My Top Takeaways” graphic to your social media and share with your network what you learned at the event about excavation safety and damage prevention:
