November 2025 Vol. 80 No. 11
Editor's Log
Underground safety advocate leads key training at 2026 UIC Conference
By Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-Chief
(UI) — I had a talk recently with my old friend Dennis Piven. Well, I’m old; he’s just working on it.
Dennis is my go-to guy when it comes to information, recommendations and just a wealth of wisdom regarding safe operations in the utility markets, particularly rehabilitation. We were discussing his involvement with the annual Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC) coming up Jan. 27-28, 2026, at the convention center in San Antonio, Texas.
Dennis has over 30 years of professional experience in safety, health and environmental program development, implementation and management. He currently is the Senior Health, Safety & Environmental Technical Advisor and Consultant of EHS for NASSCO, and is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) with the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. He serves on the Styrene Information and Research Centers (SIRC) Science and Toxicology Task Group, as well as on the American Composites Manufacturing Associations (ACMA) Environmental and Safety Committee. In short, he is the one you want to call with a rehab safety concern or question.
As I inferred, the depth and breadth of Dennis’ knowledge is incredible. And it is not just technical knowledge, it is his practical, pragmatic approach that is extremely important to absorb. Dennis has been steadily preaching the safety gospel for years, yet too often his message is overlooked, minimized and not valued as it should be.
Always enthusiastic about safety in the marketplace, Dennis is not to be denied; he is always attending meetings, putting on workshops, visiting contractors to spread the good word about safety as it applies in a variety of ways. His most recent endeavor is serving as the host and editor of the NASSCO Safety Podcast. That program is growing phenomenally, reaching people in the underground marketplace who are absorbing and comprehending the meaning and value of his message.
The UIC educational program partnered with Dennis a few years back to start bringing training and information to a broader audience. In 2026, Dennis will be producing three special programs that are must-see presentations if your company is sincerely interested in keeping employees and the environment safe while avoiding costly mistakes.
With that in mind, Dennis’ first presentation will be a Confined Space Safety Course. Attendees will learn the proper ways – even beyond what you think you know – for accessing and working in confined space. Often times, long-established best practices are no longer viable or require a modified approach, especially with technological advances. It is always better to stay current, stay safe and avoid OSHA audits.
Dennis’ second presentation will be more in line with best business practices. In fact, the session is called: Safety Saves You Money! While the title may sound like an insurance company advertisement, this session is meant to be practical, not flippant. Dennis will explain how best safety practices can be effectively factored into all areas of business costs – beyond your insurance rates.
The final session will be held at the Center Stage on the Exhibit Hall floor. Dennis will host a discussion with other top contractor safety leaders, from rehabilitation to horizontal directional drilling. Their topic will be how safety issues impact operations, from digging a ditch to driving a truck. It will be an eye-opening discussion near and dear to everyone working in the underground utilities market.
With these sessions and others on the program, we will cover the absolute importance of top-notch safety programs and innovations on modern job sites. Further, we will show that safety is more than just humanitarian in value. It is about good business, as well.
When it comes to safety, it is not always what you want to hear, but it’s what you need to hear.
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