The Industry Safety Awards celebrate the people and organizations that are advancing excavation safety, damage prevention, and public awareness. At the 2025 Ontario One Call Conference and Tradeshow, the Industry Safety Awards Dinner recognized exceptional achievements across the sector through a formal evening of celebration. These awards highlight meaningful progress, inspire industry-wide improvement, and honour the leaders who are helping create a safer and more resilient Ontario.
AWARDS CATEGORIES
The Innovation in Dig Safety Award
Focus: Recognizing groundbreaking advancements in excavation safety, underground infrastructure protection, and damage prevention.
- Highlight the development and implementation of innovative tools, technology, or methodologies that enhance safe digging practices.
- Reward advancements in utility locating, GIS mapping, predictive analytics, or excavation monitoring systems.
- Recognize creative problem-solving approaches that mitigate risks associated with underground infrastructure projects.
- Showcase innovations that enhance communication between excavators, utility owners, and regulatory bodies.
Transformative Safety Education & Engagement Award
Focus: Honouring initiatives, enhancing public awareness and education on underground infrastructure safety and responsible excavation.
- Recognize outreach programs that promote safe digging practices among contractors, homeowners, and municipalities.
- Highlight collaborations with schools, nonprofits, or local governments to educate the public on damage prevention and emergency response.
- Showcase initiatives that use interactive learning tools, virtual simulations, or real-world case studies to reinforce safety behaviours.
Leadership in Dig Safety Award (Individual, Team or Organization)
Focus: Recognizing individuals or teams who champion safety in excavation and infrastructure protection.
- Spotlight individuals or teams who promote a culture of safety in excavation and infrastructure protection.
- Recognize proactive efforts in implementing policies, training, and emergency preparedness for dig site safety.
- Highlight organizations prioritizing worker and public safety while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Celebrate leaders who drive continuous improvements in excavation safety and/or damage prevention through education, collaboration, and advocacy.
2025 Industry Safety Award Winners
Innovation in Dig Safety Award Winner: City of Markham
The City of Markham was recognized for transforming its locate program from low compliance to a consistent 100 percent in only six months. By adopting new technology, streamlining processes, and restructuring service delivery, the City eliminated damage claims and set a new standard for innovation in safe excavation.
Transformative Safety Education & Engagement Award Winner: Synergy North
Synergy North was recognized for its Digging Safely Is More Than Just a Call or Click campaign, which used relatable storytelling and multi-channel outreach to enforce safer digging behaviour. The campaign achieved a significant reduction in excavation incidents and set a new benchmark for public safety education.
Leadership IN Dig Safety Award Winner: Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA)
ORBA was recognized for leading the advocacy effort that resulted in new legal protections for roadside workers in Ontario. Through strategic partnerships, government engagement, and impactful public awareness campaigns, ORBA helped deliver meaningful legislative change that improved safety across the province.
