PRI Engineering

03/31/2026

Employee Spotlight: Jean-Marc Pruneau 👷‍♂️

Since joining PRI five months ago, Jean-Marc Pruneau has utilized his 15 years of health and safety expertise to transform our safety systems from the ground up.

🏗️Managing initiatives across both PRI Engineering and Ecora Consultants, Jean-Marc has been instrumental in:

✅ Standardizing our training through advanced, scenario-based e-learning.
✅ Meeting the specific needs of our diverse teams.
✅ Driving organizational cost savings through streamlined processes.

Currently based in Kelowna and working toward his CRSP designation, Jean-Marc is a vital part of our continued growth.

🏔️Thank you, Jean-Marc, for your dedication to keeping our teams safe, empowered, and moving forward! 🙌

📖 Want to learn more? Check out the full Employee Spotlight in our Learning Centre to see how Jean-Marc is shaping our safety culture:
🔗 https://www.priengineering.com/learning-centre/employee-spotlight-jean-marc-pruneau

03/30/2026

📢 EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: JEAN-MARC PRUNEAU

Since joining PRI five months ago, JEAN-MARC PRUNEAU has utilized his 15 years of health and safety expertise to transform our safety systems from the ground up.

🏗️Managing initiatives across both PRI Engineering and Ecora Consultants, Jean-Marc has been a catalyst for change by:

✅ STANDARDIZING TRAINING | Advanced, scenario-based e-learning.
✅ MEETING TEAM NEEDS | Customized safety protocols for diverse roles.
✅ DRIVING COST SAVINGS | Streamlining processes for organizational efficiency.

Currently based in KELOWNA and working toward his CRSP designation, Jean-Marc is a vital part of our continued growth.

🏔️THANK YOU, JEAN-MARC, for your dedication to keeping our teams safe, empowered, and moving forward! 🙌

📖 LEARN MORE: Check out the full Employee Spotlight in our Learning Centre to see how Jean-Marc is shaping our safety culture.

03/16/2026

Employee Spotlight of the Month:
Jean-Marc Pruneau

In just five months, Jean-Marc has made a massive impact on the safety culture here at PRI Engineering and Ecora Consultants. Originally from Quebec and now a Kelowna local, he brought 15 years of experience to the table to help rebuild our safety systems.

From launching new internal training programs to making our safety documentation more user-friendly, Jean-Marc ensures our teams have the practical tools they need to stay safe every day.

We’re so glad to have your energy and leadership on the team, Jean-Marc!

To learn how you can make a difference on the PRI/Ecora team, check out our Careers page. https://buff.ly/1iU59ID

Join the PRI Engineering team! Explore exciting career opportunities in geotechnical and environmental engineering.

09/08/2025

📍 Site Update: Preproduction Foundation Testing for Solar Development

The local cattle served as our most dedicated (and silent) QA observers on site.

The PRI Engineering team recently completed axial and lateral load testing to support the foundation design of a proposed solar installation. Groundscrew piles were installed across the site, with all locations predrilled to accommodate subsurface conditions.

This testing phase is critical for verifying load-bearing capacity and optimizing pile design to meet structural and geotechnical requirements.

09/04/2025

⚠️ Excavation gone wrong. This clip is a stark reminder of why soil conditions, site stability, safe excavating practices must be fully understood and implemented before work begins.

✅ Proper shoring and wall stabilization aren’t optional—they should be built into engineering design and pre-construction planning. And at the end of the day, the operator has the final say. If the site doesn’t feel safe, speak up. Saying no might feel tough in the moment, but it can save lives.

Engineers, inspectors, and operators—what stands out to you here? What key safety steps were missed, and how could this have been prevented?

Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s start a conversation that helps make sites safer.

📹 Credit: — DM for attribution or removal.

09/02/2025

🎉 We’re heading to RE+ Vegas! 🌞

Catch the PRI Engineering team with our friends at at Booth V8335.

📍 The Venetian Expo & Caesars Forum, Las Vegas
📅 September 8–11

Come meet our Foundation Experts for solar and wind projects and learn how we’re powering the future of renewable energy together! ⚡

08/27/2025

📍 Field to Lab — Quality in Every Load
PRI Engineering was on site at the Taylor Pit (City of Kawartha Lakes) sampling Granular A (Modified) during active crushing operations. This material is bound for upcoming roadwork projects across the city — and PRI is responsible for Quality Control to confirm the material meets Ontario Provincial Standard Specifications (OPSS).

🧪 Our team is sampling every 500 tonnes for gradation testing at our Lindsay lab, verifying consistency, proper screening, and compliance with OPSS.

🔍 Quality control starts before the material hits the road.

08/25/2025

Did you know that geotechnical work can help solar developers meet IRS ITC Safe Harbor requirements? 🌞 From early site investigations to foundation design, the right groundwork ensures projects qualify for incentives while staying resilient against future risks.

Read our latest blog to learn how PRI Engineering supports developers in navigating both the 5% Safe Harbor and Physical Work Test.”
🔗

W ith shifting regulations and the accelerated phase-out of the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), developers in the renewable energy sector are under pressure to act quickly—and strategically. One of the most critical moves you can make? Starting construction in a way that meets ITC “Safe Har...

08/20/2025

🚧 Let’s Talk Trench Boxes: More Than Just Safety Equipment
From a geotechnical standpoint, trench boxes are a critical part of temporary ground support — not just a safety add-on.

When excavating for utilities, pipelines, or shallow foundations, soil type and groundwater conditions determine how quickly trench walls can fail. Cohesive soils may appear stable… until they’re not.

📉 Why trench boxes matter BEFORE you dig:
🔹 Prevent soil collapse in unstable or saturated ground
🔹 Maintain trench geometry for construction accuracy
🔹 Protect against surcharge loads and vibrations
🔹 Support worker safety in reactive or granular soils
🔹 Reduce the need for wider excavations (which increase costs)

👷♀️ As geotechnical engineers, part of our role is advising on temporary works design: trench stability, allowable open time, and when a box isn’t enough — and engineered shoring is required.

💬 What’s the most challenging trench condition you’ve encountered in the field?
Let’s swap stories — and solutions.

📹 Credit: fullsheets — DM for attribution or removal.

08/18/2025

Why are subgrade inspections critical in construction?

PRI was onsite for a proof roll inspection during parking lot reconstruction on a public school parking lot. After removing the asphalt, the contractor uncovered a soft, unstable subgrade — a clear red flag for future pavement performance.

During a subgrade evaluation, we assess:
- Native soil type
- Moisture content & water presence
- Deleterious or organic materials

Identifying weak zones early helps prevent costly issues like cracking, settlement, and structural failure. These inspections are not just checkboxes — they’re a first line of defence for long-term pavement durability and performance.

📍 Investing in QA/QC at this stage means fewer surprises and smarter builds down the road.

08/15/2025

🔻 Deep Excavation Collapse – Vancouver
This video is a stark reminder: ground support isn’t optional in deep excavation.

In urban settings like Vancouver — with complex soil profiles, fluctuating groundwater, and adjacent infrastructure — even a minor lapse in monitoring or design can trigger a collapse.

🛠️ Proper shoring, groundwater control, and continuous monitoring for:
▪️ Pore water pressure
▪️ Structural deformation
▪️ Wall deflection..can mean the difference between stability and failure.

📊 What’s your go-to approach for deep excavation support in variable soils?
👇 Share your thoughts or experiences below — let’s talk soil, support, and safety.

📹 Credit: tunnel.engineering — DM for attribution or removal.