Courtesy WSWHE BOCES
More than 180 students from Career & Technical Education programs at WSWHE BOCES participated in a hands-on gas safety demonstration, hosted in collaboration with National Grid’s Gas Safety Team and UDig NY.
As part of a unique opportunity to kick off the unofficial start of “digging season,” students from 11th and 12th grades enrolled in construction trades, heavy equipment operation, environmental conservation, and HVAC-R programs took part in a real-world demonstration of the 811 safe digging process.
The multi-day event gave students a complete look at what goes into underground utility safety – from the initial ticket request to the final excavation. Over the course of the week, students learned to locate and mark underground gas lines, observe how excavators verify those markings on job sites, and properly expose lines to prevent accidents.
From the Classroom to the Job Site:
Preparation began a week prior when students prepped the field, carefully digging a trench to specific dimensions. With tape measures and rakes in hand, students executed the kind of detailed work required in real job settings.
Two days later, National Grid experts arrived to guide students through installing a gas line, including how to connect two lines with a valve. Once installed, students used both heavy equipment and manual shoveling to safely bury the gas line – experiencing the full utility installation process.
The following week, UDig NY provided training on submitting an excavation ticket. Once submitted, the next steps included locating the underground gas line and safely exposing it – a key aspect of excavation safety.
Certified Training with Real-World Experts:
One major highlight of the experience was the Certified Excavator Program (CEP) training and certification exam offered to students – thanks to UDig NY and National Grid. This professional certification gives students a head start in the excavation industry and adds real value to their résumés before they even graduate.
In addition to National Grid and UDig NY, representatives from Chip Kronau Construction & Equipment, Inc. and Precision Industrial Maintenance Inc. were on site, offering insights into industry practices and sharing their experience with students.
This visual, hands-on event was not only a learning experience but also an opportunity for students to speak directly with underground facility experts. It gave them a chance to explore future career paths and ask questions about what it’s really like to work in the field.