SUSTAINABILITY
Believe. Act. Impact.
Our Sustainability Mission
We believe in operating safely, ethically, and in the most sustainable manner possible while partnering with our customers and suppliers in their own pursuit of sustainability. We act with a safety mindset and a commitment to quality to be the most reputable partner in our industry. Our impact is showcased in the innovative work we do, our customers’ satisfaction, and the difference we make in the communities we serve.
By prioritizing safety, protecting our environment, supporting our people, and acting with integrity, we are working in a way that enables us to make our mission a reality.
how we are taking action
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Safety
Safety is our priority. We ensure safe operations because our team, communities, and customers matter. We’re committed to everyone returning home safely every day while delivering reliable energy to our nation. Our dedication to safety drives our decisions and actions, ensuring a secure environment for all. Together, we build a safer future.
From rigorous protocols and continuous training to fostering a culture of accountability, we are dedicated to creating a workplace and environment where everyone returns home safely. Our commitment goes beyond compliance- about building trust, responsibility, and a shared dedication to protecting what matters most.
Starting on Day One
Safety is all about our people. From the first day of employment, we prioritize safety every day on the job. We conduct daily JSAs, hold weekly Toolbox Talks, and organize fleet monitoring reviews and corrective action programs to keep safety trends and hazards top of mind. Our ‘See Something, Say Something’ program empowers everyone to take responsibility for safety and helps prevent incidents like utility strikes.
Staying Safe on the Road
With our large fleet, vehicle safety is crucial for our employees, customers, and communities. Our Preventable Motor Vehicle Accident (PMVI) rate is lower than the industry standard, ensuring our employees return home safely every day. We invest in dash cams and telematics to help our team develop safe driving habits, preventing and reducing automotive accidents.
Safe driving isn’t just about following the rules—it’s about fostering a culture of awareness, responsibility, and continuous improvement. With a fleet that covers vast distances daily, we recognize the importance of equipping our team with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate roads safely. Through advanced technology, real-time monitoring, and comprehensive training programs, we empower our drivers to make informed decisions behind the wheel. Every journey matters, and by prioritizing vehicle safety, we protect our employees, customers, and the communities we serve—ensuring everyone arrives home safely.
STAYING SAFE IN THE FIELD
We believe that a safe work environment is a productive one. By fostering a culture of safety, we empower our employees to take ownership of their well-being and that of their colleagues. This proactive approach not only minimizes risks but also enhances performance.
By prioritizing safety, we strengthen our ability to deliver reliable energy to the nation while ensuring the security of our workforce and the communities we serve. Together, we cultivate a future where safety isn’t just practiced—it’s embedded in everything we do.
OUR SAFETY PHILOSOPHY
Safety is not just a guideline—it’s a shared commitment woven into our daily routines. By fostering an environment where every individual is empowered to speak up and take proactive steps, we cultivate a workplace where vigilance and responsibility thrive. Our dedication to safety extends beyond policies; it is reflected in our collective actions, ensuring that every team member feels supported in identifying risks and implementing solutions. Through teamwork, continuous improvement, and accountability, we build a culture where safety is second nature, driving excellence in everything we do.
Environment
We strongly believe in the stewardship of our natural environment, and that it is our responsibility to protect and preserve it for generations to come. This is why we provide solutions that accelerate the reduction of methane and carbon emissions while enabling more sustainable processes for delivering essential utilities to our communities.
Driving Emissions Reduction
Using continuous improvement, we aim to reduce our emissions and environmental impact every year, while we help our customers meet their sustainability goals. We have several initiatives underway to minimize the impact of our vehicles, including lowering our vehicle idle times, optimizing driving routes, and exploring alternative fuel sources. We also plow snow for developments and use pet-friendly salt to keep roads safe.
Investing in Innovation & New Opportunities
We use the latest techniques and methods to minimize the environmental impact of our comprehensive, turn-key solutions for utility, pipeline, civil, engineering, and telecommunications industries. Partnering with our sister companies, Hydro-X and Versiv Solutions, we offer innovative solutions to customers on our projects.
Supporting Material Reuse & Recycling
We are committed to recycling and reducing waste at our locations and in the field. On our projects, we create less waste because we use more efficient processes, and we recycle or reuse material from projects when possible. We have developed a stormwater pollution prevention plan, and we collect our waste oil and reuse it to heat our shops.
Our team members actively participate in recycling, too. We collect recyclable cardboard, aluminum, paper, and plastic and participate in the Camp Good Days electronic recycling program.
People
People are what matter most to The DDS Companies. This is why we empower our team members, suppliers, customers, and communities to play leadership roles in advancing a more inclusive, respectful, and prosperous world.
Become a qualified, compliant supplier of our company and Artera and make an impact together.
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an inclusive mindset
We believe in the dignity of all human beings and that an inclusive mindset — be it related to race, ethnicity, religion, orientation, gender, age, background, experience, or any other quality that makes each of us unique — adds depth and value to our team. We believe in an environment where every team member is included, respected, and safe to share their thoughts and opinions. Discrimination and injustice have no place in our culture, our offices, or our job sites.
Empowering Our People
Our people are the foundation of who we are, and we are only as good as the strength and talent of our team. We actively participate in hiring fairs to attract new talent to our team and then work diligently to retain the top talent we have. We invest in opportunities for our team members through competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and training and development opportunities.
Giving Back to Our Communities
Our team members give back to the communities where we live, work, and play and are proud supporters of numerous community outreach organizations, including the Wings for Warriors Foundation.
Encouraging Supplier Diversity
Our commitment to diversity extends beyond our own operations. We are cultivating relationships with partners through our Supplier Diversity Program, which helps increase minority-owned business participation in the industry.
INTEGRITY
Integrity is at the core of our company, starting with conducting business ethically and with unwavering honesty. We do what’s right, even when no one is watching.
Centering Ethics & Compliance
Acting with integrity on all jobs is a founding principle at The DDS companies. Our teams approach every job with an honest, transparent, and hardworking attitude, so we meet our customers’ goals with quality results through extraordinary service, regardless of job size or amount of oversight. Through our updated Code of Conduct and Business Ethics program, we make certain our employees and anyone we work with understand and adhere to the same uncompromising commitment to ethics and compliance. Click here to view the English, Spanish, or Portuguese versions. We hold similar expectations for our suppliers, please view our Supplier Code of Conduct, which is available to download here.
Protecting Data Security & Privacy
We recognize the importance of maintaining high standards when it comes to protecting our digital assets and our customers’ data. Our cybersecurity program is threat intelligence-driven, and our security team continuously monitors the threat landscape to understand new and emerging vulnerabilities, cyber threats, and threat actors to ensure our cyber controls and safeguards remain effective.
PODCAST EPISODES
LISTEN TO THE LATEST INSIGHTS FROM DDS.
EP11 Introducing Our New Co-Host, Meet Training Coordinator Griffin Haley
Join host Jordan Potter and co-host Mark Payne as they welcome the latest member of the Built In Boots podcast lineup, Training Coordinator Griffin Haley. Griffin shares his story of…
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EP10 The 8 Commandments of Becoming Masters Of The Underground
In this special post-2025 Leadership Summit episode, host Jordan Potter and co-host Mark Payne sit down with Mike Fallat and Griffin Haley to reflect on three successful leadership sessions, unveil…
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EP09 Road Show Series: Mastering the Art of Underground Telecom
Don’t miss this final chapter of the “Road Show Series” as we drop in on the Telecom Crew and meet Foreman Frank Gennuso and Drill Operator Joe Francz. They break…
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EP08 Road Show Series: Carter’s Rapid Rise | How Mentorship Fueled His Career in Utilities
On-Site in Canandaigua, NYHosts Jordan Potter and Mark Payne visit a live DDS Utilities job site, where an eight-inch gas main is being installed via horizontal directional drilling to reinforce…
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EP07 Road Show Series: Andy Gana’s 37-Year Legacy & Charlotte Reeves’ Rise in Gas Construction
Built To Last – The Journey of Andy Gana & Charlotte ReevesSummary:In this episode of Built In Boots, hosts Jordan Potter and Mark Payne sit down with Andy Gana, a…
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EP06 Road Show Series: Next-Gen Leadership in Gas Distribution with Dylan Bird & Matt Brown
Episode #6: On the Jobsite with Dylan Bird and Matt BrownGet an inside look into the next generation of leaders shaking up the utilities industry. Recorded on Dylan Bird’s active…
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