Damage Prevention & Safety
Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
A U.S. Department of Labor workplace safety investigation has found a Frisco, Texas, contractor repeatedly exposed workers to serious hazards by sending them into unprotected trenches without providing a means of escape.
OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
OSHA has cited two Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites in Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. Inspectors found workers exposed to cave-in hazards without proper protections, prompting citations for willful and serious violations.
Pennsylvania 811 hits milestone with one millionth dig notification
Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc., dba Pennsylvania 811, recently hit a milestone with its one millionth dig notification received for the year on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 at 1516.
Gigapower’s Arizona fiber rollout linked to infrastructure damage, CWA report says
In Mesa, Arizona, where Gigapower began fiber deployment in early 2023, subcontractors have reportedly caused over 40 underground utility hits, including damages to electric, gas, water, and telecommunications lines, totaling more than $135,000 in repairs.
CGA report underscores progress, challenges of buried utilities damage prevention
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the national nonprofit trade association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them and their communities, recently published its 2023 Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report.
UTGIS launches voltage testing service to prevent pipe corrosion in water and gas systems
Corrosion is frequently cited as a leading cause of damage to buried municipal water and gas systems. While there are several external conditions that can cause pipeline corrosion, electrical voltage is one of the leading culprits.
Worker deaths decline amid OSHA crackdown on high-risk trench and fall hazards
According to preliminary data, fatalities in key high-risk areas like trench collapses and falls, which are among the leading causes of death for construction workers, have notably declined.
OSHA proposed rule on heat exposure raises ire from construction industry
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a proposed rule in July that would affect all employers nationwide and require, among other things, a written heat injury and illness prevention plan, substantial heat-injury-related precautions, training and regular, comprehensive program reviews and updates.
First look: Software program assists contractors with 811 process
Earlier this year, my husband and I had a fence replaced, and we failed to call 811 before the workers began digging. We didn’t even think about it – and we’re not the only ones.
Federal court rejects four new pipeline safety rules
Not only has the DC Federal Court of Appeals upended FERC decisions, it has now injected itself into Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) decisions.
OSHA cites Massachusetts contractor after fatal trench collapse in Hanson
A federal workplace safety investigation has determined that the fatal injury of a worker in Hanson, Mass., in February 2024 could have been prevented.
CGA’s 2023 DIRT report shows fewer utility damages, urges action on locating delays
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) has released its 2023 Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report, showing a drop in utility damage incidents but highlighting ongoing challenges in reducing damages to buried infrastructure.
California’s Ambler Park boil water notice ends following main break
California American Water has lifted the Boil Water Advisory for residents in the Ambler Park Water System in Monterey County, following a water main break last week.
U.S. largest water utility American Water restores systems after cyberattack
American Water, the largest U.S. water and wastewater utility, is in the process of securely restoring systems that were temporarily taken offline following a cybersecurity incident reported on Oct. 7.
Underground fire disrupts fiber optic networks, closes key Baltimore facilities
An underground fire in downtown Baltimore led to a manhole explosion and disrupted critical fiber optic networks over the weekend, affecting thousands.
Peabody General Contractors to host free trench safety training in Lockhart, Texas
Peabody General Contractors, in partnership with the Austin Chapter of the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) and OSHA, will host its annual Live Trench Training event on Oct. 4 in Lockhart, Texas.
USIC affiliate Blood Hound launches redesigned website for underground damage prevention
The new site incorporates videos and interactive illustrations that provide an up-close view of Blood Hound’s highly specialized services and state-of-the-art technologies and the value added for projects of every scope.
Officials: Pipeline fire erupts in La Porte after SUV strikes valve
A pipeline explosion near Houston spread from Deer Park to La Porte, igniting grass fires and prompting widespread evacuations. Multiple agencies, including the Deer Park and La Porte fire departments, responded to the scene.
Iowa receives federal aid to replace lead water pipes
Iowa is using federal funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead water pipes, prioritizing vulnerable communities to improve public health and water safety.
Duke Energy undergrounds 48% of Florida power lines with plans to expand as hurricane season peaks
Approximately 48% of Duke Energy Florida's primary power lines are underground and better protected from wind damage. The company will continue to install underground cable in areas that are identified as the most outage-prone areas.
Explosion in underground PG&E vault leaves one dead in Richmond, Calif.
A man was found electrocuted inside an underground PG&E utility vault in Richmond, California, last month after a series of explosions. The incident highlights the dangers associated with unauthorized access to these high-risk underground utility spaces.
Texas trench fatalities rise despite OSHA safety regulations
(UI) — Trench collapses continue to be a leading cause of preventable worker deaths in Texas, despite existing safety regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Telecommunications crew damages underground water main in Fort Worth, damaging at least 5 homes
The water, under high pressure, shot out forcefully, damaging at least 5 homes in the area. It took over an hour for the water department to stop the flow due to the pipe's size and configuration.
US trade group releases new transmission pipeline safety standard for managing geohazards
API RP 1187 addresses the unique challenges of landslide hazards and their impact on transmission pipelines by establishing robust management practices.
Worker dies in trench collapse in Cleveland, Tenn.; rescue shifts to recovery
Rescue efforts initially focused on locating and retrieving the worker. However, once it was confirmed that the individual was deceased, the operation transitioned to a recovery effort.
Repair work begins on damaged sewer line in Rexburg, Idaho, after construction incident
Rexburg officials have reported ongoing efforts to repair a damaged sewer line, which was struck by a contractor working on the U.S. Highway 20 project on Aug. 22.
Supporting OSHA during site inspections
While my fellow colleagues are working diligently to keep everyone safe in the workplace, there is always room to go one step further, and one of those ways is to embrace and support representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) during site inspections.
Iowa Attorney General files three lawsuits for illegal excavations resulting in underground infrastructure damage
Under Iowa’s One Call law, contractors and homeowners must contact Iowa One Call two days ahead to reduce underground infrastructure damage by marking utility lines in the excavation area. Excavators who violate the One Call law are subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per day for violations related to natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines, and up to $1,000 per day involving other underground utility lines.
Underground utility lines damaged every six minutes, Essential Utilities reports for Safe Digging Day
Every six minutes, an underground utility line is damaged due to digging and excavation. This free call is required for all projects, big or small, such as planting shrubs, installing a mailbox, building a swimming pool or installing a fence.
Fatal Shawnee trench collapse linked to Oklahoma contractor’s repeated safety violations, OSHA reports
An Edmond contractor with a history of workplace safety violations dating back to 2018, including three related to the dangers in underground trenches, was found disregarding U.S. Department of Labor regulations.
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Cadiz to reuse steel from terminated Keystone XL pipeline for California groundwater project
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project
- West Virginia approves $67 million for water, sewer projects