Trenchless Methods
Vortex acquires Sancon, expanding trenchless solutions along West Coast
Vortex Companies, LLC (Vortex), has announced its acquisition of Sancon Technologies, Inc. (Sancon). Headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, Sancon has been a trusted leader in structure and trenchless rehabilitation across California and Nevada, since 2012.
Vortex acquires ETECAS to expand trenchless tech, in-house manufacturing
Vortex Companies, a trenchless technology construction company headquartered in Houston, announced its acquisition of ETECAS UG (ETECAS), a Germany-based leader in trenchless rehabilitation and UV curing equipment.
OSHA cites Glenburn, Maine contractor in fatal trench collapse at Brownville worksite
While installing storm drainage pipes at a Brownville worksite, a retaining wall collapsed, killing one worker and injuring another. OSHA cited Patriot Paving Group LLC for multiple safety violations, including failing to brace the wall and remove workers from the hazardous trench.
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.
Columbia, Mo., approves $9.2 million sewer rehab project using trenchless technology
The Columbia City Council has approved plans to move forward with a $9.2 million sewer rehabilitation project aimed at upgrading aging sewer infrastructure across central and west Columbia.
Vortex expands trenchless tech with Tri-State Utilities, Pipe Vision acquisition
Vortex Companies has announced its acquisition of Tri-State Utilities and Pipe Vision from National Underground Group. The deal will strengthen Vortex's trenchless capabilities and reach geographically and operationally.
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.
Azuria Water Solutions to acquire Performance Pipeline Technologies
Azuria Water Solutions™, a provider of infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation and technology-enabled water solutions, have announced the acquisition of Performance Pipeline Technologies, Inc., a pipeline service provider specializing in trenchless repair.
Sewer line construction, 14-foot trench work to impact Honoapiʻilani Highway in Waikapū
Sewer line installation work on the Honoapiʻilani Highway (Route 30) in Waikapū will require a full road closure as crews prepare to dig a 14-foot-deep trench.
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.
IPEX expands trenchless offering with cost-efficient, large-size NovaForm PVC liner
NovaForm is a styrene-free, expand-in-place structural liner for rehabilitating trenchless sewer and stormwater culverts. This liner combines long-term strength with flexibility, allowing it to handle some of the most challenging installation conditions.
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.
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.
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).
Crews begin trenchless repair of 70-year-old sewer main in Lakeland, Fla.
The city of Lakeland Wastewater Collection Division has begun repairing a 70-year-old sewer main along North Crystal Lake Drive between Smithfield Avenue and Lowery Avenue.
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.
Azuria Water Solutions acquires trenchless utility firm Oxbow Construction
Azuria Water Solutions, the leader in technology-enabled water solutions, has announced the acquisition of Oxbow Construction, a trenchless utility company based in Troutdale, Oregon.
Editor’s log: The road to rehab intensifies
The 1970s marked a revolution in underground infrastructure with the birth of cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) technology, allowing pipe repairs without excavation. This innovation, alongside other trenchless methods, has transformed the industry and continues to drive efficient solutions for aging infrastructure.
OSHA cites contractor for fatal trench collapse in New Canaan, Conn.
A contractor from Easton could have prevented the death of an employee, who was repairing an underground water line, in a trench collapse at a New Canaan work site in December 2023, according to an investigation by OSHA.
United Felts launches new UV CIPP portfolio for trenchless sewer rehabilitation
This portfolio combines the strengths of United GRP and EnviroCure UV, offering comprehensive solutions for varied sewer rehabilitation needs with the unmatched benefits of UV-cured technology.
United Rentals hosts trench safety webinar for 2024 Stand Down week
Join United Rentals' free trench safety webinar on June 19 during 2024 Stand Down week to enhance excavation safety knowledge and practices.
Garney Construction, Dewberry Engineers complete “record-breaking” trenchless crossing of James River
The Design-Build team of Garney Construction and Dewberry Engineers was hired by the Hampton Roads Sewer District to design and construct a force main crossing the James River in Newport News, Virginia.
Trenchers: Unsung hero of utility installation
Trenching, with its versatility and adaptability, remains a vital method for utility installation across various terrains and conditions. The wide array of trenching machines and attachments available today allows for efficient and effective utility installations, from small residential projects to large-scale industrial applications.
Guam contractor faces $1 million fine over repeated trench safety violations, OSHA investigation reveals
Giant Construction Corp., a Tamuning contractor, is under fire with over $1 million in penalties after federal inspectors discovered trench workers exposed to fatal hazards.
National Trench Safety appoints Fernando Pinera as new CEO
National Trench Safety (NTS), the nation’s largest pure play trench safety solutions provider, has announced the appointment of Fernando Pinera as its new CEO, effective April 1, 2024.
Kelowna, BC, invests $7 million in CIPP technology for sewer pipe repair
The city of Kelowna, located in the south of Canada’s British Columbia province, is set to embark on a $7-million project next week to repair 1.6 miles of sanitary sewer pipe using cutting-edge trenchless technology known as Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP).
SA Water tests successful trenchless pipeline repair technique
SA Water undertook a trial of trenchless technology, a first in the metropolitan sewer network, to address issues with a sewer pipe running beneath the popular trade hub.
El Paso Water to use trenchless technology for water line rehabilitation project in April
El Paso Water will use trenchless technology to insert a special liner inside a 70-year-old cast iron water pipe. The project will restore the pipe to near-new condition and extend the pipe’s life by 30-50 years.
Saline, Mich. to repair over 2,000 ft of water main with trenchless technology
Work involves bypassing water piping during the cured-in-place piping (CIPP) process, which involves lining the main with resin that will harden, creating a new water line inside of the aging infrastructure.
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
- West Virginia approves $67 million for water, sewer projects
- Mark Boyer named 2025 MVP of underground infrastructure industry