Damage Prevention & Safety
U.S. Department of Labor Implements Inspection Program to Target Workplaces with Highest Injury and Illness Rates
The U.S. Department of Labor is updating its inspection program to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.
Civil Engineers Give West Virginia a “D” and Maine a “C-“ in the 2020 Infrastructure Report Card
A new 2020 Infrastructure Report Card for West Virginia and Maine with overall low ratings.
NASSCO Releases Brochure to Inform Communities About Styrene Safety
NASSCO published “What’s That Odor,” a two-page brochure to help inform communities about the safety of styrene used in the steam cure process of Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP).
New Plan Will Increase Protection and Resilience of the Texas Coast
The Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Study Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement was released to increase resilience and reduce risk of coastal storm surges.
CGA Research on Utility Locating Points to Stressed Damage Prevention System
The Common Ground Alliance published a new White Paper that is based on recent research among locating stakeholders that points to an often strained damage prevention system.
CGA Report Reveals Utility Damages Cost U.S. $30 Billion in 2019
The 2019 Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report compiled by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) revealed that excavation-related damages to utilities cost the U.S. approximately $30 billion last year.
Common Ground Alliance Announces Damage Prevention Conference & Expo
The Common Ground Alliance has announced its 2021 CGA Conference & Expo from March 2-5, 2021 in Orlando, Florida.
NUCA of Middle Tennessee Announces Winner of 2020 Trench Safety Stand Down Week Contest
The Middle Tennessee Chapter of the National Utility Contractors Association of America (NUCA) has announced the winner of it's first every Trench Safety Stand Down (TSSD) contest last week as part of the association's annual TSSD Week.
PG&E Confesses to Killing 84 People in 2018 California Fire
California gas utility company Pacific Gas & Electric confessed Tuesday to killing 84 people in one of the most devastating wildfires in recent U.S. history
New Mexico Offers COVID-19 Testing for Utility Workers
The state of New Mexico is offering COVID-19 testing to utility workers as part of a statewide effort to keep essential workers healthy and to meet state testing goals.
CGA Releases Annual Damage Prevention Technology Report
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA), has released its third annual Technology Report, which serves as a record of progress in technology for the damage prevention industry.
U.S. Department of Labor Issues Guidance for Construction Workers Safety During Pandemic
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a division of the Department of Labor, has issued guidelines to keep construction workers safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
WEF Panel to Study Biohazards, Safety for Wastewater Workers
To ensure the protection of wastewater workers during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond, the Water Environment Federation is convening a blue-ribbon panel of experts to evaluate information on biological hazards and safety precautions.
CGA: Late Locates of Buried Utilities Appear Underreported
A new Common Ground Alliance report examining 2015-2018 data reveals excavators primarily use CGA’s DIRT tool to document locating issues and associated downtime. The analysis shows late locates of buried utilities may be underreported.
Texas Eastern Gas Pipeline Explodes in Kentucky
Enbridge responded to an explosion on Line 10 of its Texas Eastern system in Kentucky and said Tuesday that it has shut-in a section of the pipeline. Gas futures rose on the news.
Corrosion Blamed for 2018 Canadian Pipeline Blast
An explosion and fire in 2018 along an Enbridge Inc natural gas pipeline in northern British Columbia was caused by corrosion, Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) said on Wednesday.
TTC to Release CIPP Emissions Safety Findings on Dec. 17
The Trenchless Technology Center at Louisiana Tech University said it has completed NAASCO-commissioned research into the safety of styrene emissions from cured-in-place pipe and will present its findings and recommendations in a webcast on Dec. 17.
Contractor Guilty of Manslaughter in Boston Trench Collapse
A contractor who prosecutors said pushed his crews to work faster on a behind-schedule project has been convicted of manslaughter for the deaths of two workers in a 2016 trench collapse.
Sewage from Manhole Spills into Durham, N.C. Creek
City officials in Durham, N.C., said the state Department of Environmental Quality was notified after a buildup of rags blocked a sewer main and caused a spill into Ellerbe Creek.
Nick Stavropoulos to Lead Safety Efforts for Columbia Gas of Massachusetts
Columbia Gas of Massachusetts has appointed Nick Stavropoulos to a new, senior role focused on safety.
Columbia Gas Ordered to Seek State Approval for All Non-Emergency Work
Massachusetts officials are placing additional restrictions on the utility company blamed for last year’s destructive gas explosions following a major gas leak that prompted evacuations last week.
Feds Recommend New Requirements After Natural Gas Disaster
Federal officials are recommending stronger nationwide requirements for natural gas systems following last September's natural gas explosions and fires in Massachusetts.
SoCalGas Worker Killed in Gas Line Explosion, 15 Others Injured
A natural gas explosion destroyed a Southern California home, killed a gas company worker and injured more than a dozen other people Monday, authorities said.
One Injured in Oklahoma Pipeline Explosion
A natural gas pipeline explosion in Grady County, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, has injured one person, according to officials on Grady County Emergency Management.
5 Workers Hurt in Houston-Area Natural Gas Line Explosion
Five workers have been injured when a natural gas line exploded in a residential neighborhood southeast of Houston. The blast occurred as a CenterPoint Energy contractor was working along a line Thursday.
Mike Rowe Helps Launch National Excavator Initiative
The importance of the pipes, wires, and cables buried underground that support our daily lives is being “unearthed” with the help of Executive Producer, Host, and Author Mike Rowe and his animated alter ego micro Mike Rowe. Known from the hit TV series Dirty Jobs, Deadliest Catch, and his groundbreaking Facebook show Returning the Favor, Rowe is also CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, a nonprofit organization that calls attention to America's skilled trade workforce and strives to close the skills gap.
NTSB Probe Yields New Safety Recommendations for Gas Utilities
Federal safety officials are recommending new rules for natural gas leak reporting and installations after investigating the cause of an explosion that killed seven people at a Maryland apartment complex in 2016.
National Safe Digging Month Highlights Importance of Calling 811
(UC) - As the calendar turns to April and spring temperatures arrive, home improvement and construction work steadily increases. Since these projects often require digging and excavation, it is appropriate that April is designated as National Safe Digging Month. This nationwide public safety initiat..
Miami-Dade Almost Out of Money for Federally Mandated Sewage System Upgrades
Miami-Dade County, Fla., is on the brink of running out of money to pay for federally mandated upgrades to its outdated sewage system. This revelation comes just days after more than 700,000 gallons of sewage dumped into Biscayne Bay from the last remaining pump station yet to be scheduled for repairs.
Avanti International Celebrates 40 Year Anniversary
Avanti International is proud to announce that the company has reached a milestone, celebrating 40 years as an industry leader.
- Texas A&M weighs underground transit plan with Elon Musk's Boring Co. to reduce campus traffic
- Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project
- Wyo-Ben’s Max Gel, Max Bore HDD system boost drilling efficiency, performance
- Federal court halts permits for 32-mile Tennessee gas pipeline project
- Cadiz to reuse steel from terminated Keystone XL pipeline for California groundwater project
- Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
- Dog River pipeline replacement in Oregon improves water supply with new HDPE pipe
- Leaking wastewater systems named top source of San Diego River contamination, study finds
- New Portable Welding System From Miller
- Excavator Causes Puerto Rico Power Outage