Ontario Utilities Warn of Rising Digging Risks as Homeowners Ignore Safety Checks
Event summary
- 57% of Ontario homeowners did not request a locate before their last digging project in 2025.
- 46% of contractors reported striking underground infrastructure in the past year.
- Alectra Utilities and partners emphasize the legal requirement and safety criticality of 'Click Before You Dig'.
- Striking underground infrastructure can cause injuries, power outages, and costly repairs.
- Ontario One Call provides free underground locate requests to prevent digging accidents.
The big picture
Ontario's largest electricity utilities are highlighting a critical gap in safety compliance as warmer weather increases digging activity. The rising incidents of striking underground infrastructure pose significant risks to public safety and essential services, underscoring the need for stricter adherence to 'Click Before You Dig' protocols. This campaign reflects broader industry efforts to mitigate infrastructure risks amid growing residential and commercial development.
What we're watching
- Compliance Trends
- Whether the 2025 Ontario One Call Awareness Research findings will prompt stricter enforcement or regulatory changes to improve compliance rates.
- Safety Investments
- How utilities like Alectra will allocate resources to enhance public awareness and prevent digging-related incidents.
- Contractor Practices
- The pace at which contractor compliance with locate requests improves, given the rising incidents of striking underground infrastructure.
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