By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • 0 Comments

National Safe Digging Month

April is National Safe Digging Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the potential dangers of digging without first detecting utility lines. Each year, countless injuries, fatalities, and property damage occur because of negligence in this area. To prevent such incidents, it is crucial to contact your state's 811 center before undertaking any digging activities.

The purpose of National Safe Digging Month is to educate the public about the importance of safe digging practices. By calling 811, individuals can request utility line locations, ensuring that they dig safely and avoid any potential harm. This simple step can save lives, prevent outages, and minimize costly penalties.

Digging without first detecting utility lines can have severe consequences. Damage to gas, electric, water, sewer, and telecommunications lines can disrupt essential services, causing inconvenience and potential hazards. Repairing these damages can be time-consuming and expensive, impacting not only the digger but also the entire community.

By promoting National Safe Digging Month, we aim to emphasize the significance of responsible digging. Whether you are a homeowner planning a landscaping project or a professional contractor working on a construction site, it is essential to prioritize safety and take the necessary precautions.

When planning a dig, start by reaching out to your state's 811 center. By providing them with the necessary information about your project, they can help identify any underground utility lines that may be present. This valuable service is free and can be accessed by simply dialing 811.

Once you have contacted the 811 centers, they will notify the appropriate utility companies, who will then send representatives to mark the locations of their lines. These markings will indicate where it is safe to dig, helping you avoid potential hazards and costly damage.

Remember, it is essential to wait for the utility lines to be marked before starting any excavation work. Rushing into a project without proper detection can have severe consequences, both for your safety and the well-being of your community.

National Safe Digging Month serves as a reminder that responsible digging is everyone's responsibility. By raising awareness and promoting safe practices, we can prevent accidents, protect our infrastructure, and ensure a safer environment for all.

In conclusion, National Safe Digging Month is an important initiative that aims to educate individuals about the potential hazards of digging without first detecting utility lines. By contacting your state's 811 center, you can ensure a safe and successful dig, avoiding injuries, outages, and penalties. Let us all join hands in promoting safe digging practices and making our communities safer places to live and work.

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • 0 Comments

Celebrating Our 42nd Anniversary

KC Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. (KC), a leading provider of engineering and land surveying services in the New York State and City area, is proud to celebrate our 42nd anniversary. Since our founding in 1983, KC has grown from a small business to a thriving firm with over 100 employees. KC has consistently demonstrated our commitment to excellence in the field of engineering and land surveying. Our firm has been recognized for our outstanding work on numerous occasions, including the 2021 AGC New York State Excellence in Partnering Award for Informal Partnering and the 2022 ACEC New York Diamond Award—Transportation for the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) Design-Build Contract D800002 TA 19-1: Cashless Tolling project.

One of the key factors in our success has been our ability to adapt to the changing needs of the industry. KC has continually invested in new technologies and equipment, and our experienced professionals’ staff are always up to date on the latest certifications and courses. As a result of our commitment to excellence, KC continues to be awarded numerous projects as a prime and subconsultant. KC has also been involved in a number of high-profile projects, including being the Lead Designer on the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) I-81 Viaduct - Phase 1, Contract 2 project. In addition to our professional achievements, KC is also committed to giving back to the community. KC supports a number of local charities and organizations.

At KC, we are grateful for the support of our staff, clients, and subconsultants who we have collaborated with over the past 42 years. We look forward to continuing to provide exceptional engineering and land surveying services for many years to come. As KC looks ahead, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We are confident that we will continue to be leaders in the engineering and land surveying industry for many years to come. KC is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality services possible, and we are constantly looking for new ways to improve our operations. KC is thankful for the support of our staff, clients, and subconsultants we have collaborated with over the past 42 years. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with these individuals and organizations to achieve even greater success in the years to come.

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • 0 Comments

World Water Day

This past Saturday was World Water Day, an annual observed day dedicated to raising awareness about the pivotal role water plays in our lives. This year, the focus is on a crucial but often overlooked aspect of our water ecosystem - Glaciers.

As we look towards 2025, the theme is 'Glacier Preservation.' Glaciers, the majestic icy giants, are not just awe-inspiring spectacles of nature but also vital reservoirs of freshwater. They act as natural storage systems, releasing water in the warmer months when many regions face water scarcity. However, our glaciers are under threat due to climate change, and their loss could lead to a severe global water crisis. It's time we turn our attention to these icy reservoirs and take concerted action to preserve them. Participating in World Water Day is a chance to contribute to this global effort. You can get involved by spreading the word about the importance of glacier preservation, supporting research and conservation initiatives, and adopting sustainable practices in your daily life. Remember, every drop counts, and every action matters. Let's make a difference together for a water-secure future.

#WorldWaterDay #GlacierPreservation #WaterConservation"

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • 0 Comments

International Women’s Day

International Women's Day was observed on Sunday, March 8, a global event that honors the contributions made by women throughout history and elevates their voices. Today is an excellent opportunity to honor the accomplishments of some engineering heroes who cleared the path for today's female engineers. The following women made history in National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):

Katherine Johnson was born in 1918 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. She was a pioneer in mathematics that landed her a job at NASA as a Trajectory Analysis for Alan Shepard’s mission in 1961, and then for John Glenn's orbital mission in 1962. While working for NASA, she was the behind-the-scenes math genius that made many missions like space shuttle, Earth Resources Satellite, and Apollo’s Lunar Lander successful. Thanks to her achievements, she received the highest civilian honor in the United States: The Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. Additionally, during a ceremony honoring NASA's Hidden Figures in 2024, Ms. Johnson's family collected the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of her contributions to the United States.

Mary W. Jackson was born in 1921 in Hampton, Virginia. She was an African-American NASA engineer who made it possible for America’s first men to travel to space. She was known as a human computer who, behind the scenes, calculated the orbital trajectories. Aside from engineering, she was passionate about advocating for women and minorities in the engineering field, so after working 30 years with NASA, she retired in 1985 and shifted careers to focus on becoming an equal opportunity specialist to help women and minorities.

Kalpana Chawla was born March 17, 1962, in Karnal, India. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering in India and later moved to the United States to continue her education and received a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. After being naturalized in the United States, she became an astronaut, engineer, and the first woman of Indian descent to go to space. Chawla lost her life during a mission, but her legacy continues to live through her work. Her research helped other astronauts understand health and safety during spaceflight. She continues to be an inspiration for many immigrants who are chasing the American dream.

Dorothy Vaughan was born in 1910 in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the first African-American supervisor for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). She advocated for her employees by making sure they received promotions and pay raises. After segregation ended in 1985, that is when NACA became NASA and Vaughan became a programmer for a new division that was created, named Analysis and Computation. While working in this division, her group worked behind the scenes and played a major part in the success of a satellite-launching rocket called Scout. Vaughan retired in 1971.

For more information about women who made history in NASA, please visit: https://www.nasa.gov/

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • 0 Comments

Design Your Future

This week we are celebrating Engineer’s Week, and this year’s theme is “Design Your Future.” This annual event is a special celebration to bring awareness to the difference engineers make in our world.

Each year, DiscoverE, an organization focused on supporting and promoting the growth of the engineering and technology communities, encourages the youth to explore the STEM community through interactive lessons, child-friendly activities, and involvement with their own local engineering communities. Additionally, across the nation, DiscoverE hosts a series of workshops and presentations to promote the importance of engineering. The youth are able to meet and speak with veteran engineers, participate in fun, educational activities, and learn about the global scale of engineered contributions. Whether you wish to join in the celebration by using social media hashtags to raise awareness or just encouraging your students to do so, this year's topic is in line with the quickly evolving technologies and offers a range of methods to get engaged and learn about how to get involved.

For more information on upcoming STEM events sponsored by DiscoverE, visit https://discovere.org/engage/engineers-week/
#Eweek2025 #DesignYourFuture