Damage Prevention & Safety

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.

Construction worker dies after being found unconscious in trench box

The worker, who was found approximately 15 feet deep in the trench near Second Ave and Pitchkettle Rd in Suffolk, Virginia, was engaged in utility repairs when the incident occurred.

OSHA fines El Paso contractor in deadly trench collapse, citing repeated safety lapses

OSHA determined that CMD Endeavors Inc. failed to provide a proper protective system for a pipe layer working in an excavation. As a result, a trench collapsed, causing a piece of asphalt to fall and severely injure the worker, who later died in a hospital.

Fiber Broadband Association research highlights importance of streamlining underground locate process amid workforce dilemma

Operators must take necessary precautions to prevent damage to utilities, ensure utility services remain intact, and prevent serious injury to telecommunications installation teams and residents.