Common Ground Alliance’s Damage Prevention Institute Acquires Gold Shovel Association, Welcomes New Participants

Common Ground Alliance has completed its acquisition of the Gold Shovel Association. CGA welcomes former GSA members to the association and as participants in its new arm, the Damage Prevention Institute.

The Damage Prevention Institute will address systemic inefficiencies in the damage prevention industry by developing performance metrics for all stakeholders that reflect adherence to CGA’s best practices and a commitment to reducing damages to buried infrastructure. Building upon CGA’s foundational Damage Information Reporting Tool data and GSA’s metrics development, the DPI will focus on evaluating the performance of each stakeholder group engaged in the damage prevention process through a metrics-focused, peer-reviewed model of accreditation.

Voluntary participation in the DPI is now open to all CGA members, including facility owners/operators, excavators and locators. Criteria for DPI accreditation will be comprised of damage and metrics reporting, adherence to DPI policies and implementation of CGA best practices, among other requirements.

DPI participation is open to all CGA members at no additional cost. For more information, visit dpi.commongroundalliance.com.