Workforce
Nevada OSHA fines Elon Musk's Boring Company over safety violations in Vegas tunnel project
Elon Musk's Boring Company incurred fines exceeding $112,000 due to safety breaches flagged by the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration during the construction of the Vegas Loop underground tunnel last year.
Fiber Broadband Association program selected as primary fiber optic training for Job Corps.
The OpTIC Path program provides an in-depth training course that can be delivered by schools, colleges, training centers, and employers to develop the talent needed to safely and efficiently deploy fiber networks and connect communities to high-performance broadband.
Fiber Broadband Association to develop telecom workforce by linking technicians to potential employers
FBA members and Learning Alliance partners can leverage Talent Link to gain a direct pathway to certified fiber technicians who are qualified to safely and efficiently build the fiber broadband networks that many communities still need.
California highlights water workforce opportunities during Water Professionals Appreciation Week
During California Water Professionals Appreciation Week, which takes place from October 7 to 15, water associations are spotlighting the dedicated individuals and incredible opportunities that keep California's water systems functioning flawlessly.
Underground construction enters the virtual reality universe
(UI) — The Super Witch is incredibly popular, and at CONEXPO, the Metaverse offered a chance for people to put on the VR headset, pick up the corresponding hand controllers, and find themselves inside the cab.
Currently at CUIRE – Annual update of research center’s activities
(UI) — Pipe deterioration is a complex process, involving a combination of aging, chemical and environmental factors. Polymeric SAPL is a new application to structurally renew deteriorated gravity and pressure pipelines and can be applied to a wide range of concrete, masonry, corrugated metal, and steel pipelines.
AGA Chair sees future shaped by education, innovation
(UI) — Sitherwood, who plans to retire from Spire this December, sat down with Underground Infrastructure to discuss her career, her outlook for the natural gas industry and her work as the 2023 chair of the American Gas Association (AGA).
Registration open for 19th ASCE UESI/BAMI-I Utility Investigation School
(UI) — The Buried Asset Management Institute – International (BAMI-I) & the ASCE’S Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI) have teamed to conduct the 19th ASCE UESI / BAMI-I UIS School in 2023.
CommScope expands fiber optic operations, brings 250 jobs to Catawba County, North Carolina
(UI) — Telecommunications infrastructure provider CommScope plans to add 250 new jobs with a $60.3 million investment to expand its fiber-optic cable manufacturing operations in North Carolina’s Catawba County, Governor Roy Cooper said on July 25.
OSHA cites Chicago company for 2022 trench collapse that killed one worker
Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors determined the employer, Rooter Solutions Inc. of Burr Ridge, failed to install cave-in protection in the trench and did not require head protection, the agency announced Friday.
GPR: From glaciers to conduits, digs deeper so you don’t have to
(UI) — The ability to accurately map underground or encased infrastructure allows construction and excavation professionals to plan groundbreaking and other destructive activities more efficiently. By knowing where not to dig, cut or core, these professionals eliminate the risks associated with striking buried utilities or severing structural components, such as rebar or post-tension cables.
Fiber Broadband Association expands state broadband resources with Workforce Development Guidebook
(UI) — FBA’s Workforce Development Guidebook notes that, according to the government’s calculations, 150,000 telecom jobs will be created by BEAD, while research by the Fiber Broadband Association estimates the industry will need over 205,000 new jobs in the next five years to construct, operate, and maintain these new networks in every state.
HDD Association hosts complimentary mud training school
(UI) — The business meeting will begin at 9 a.m., on May 18, with an introduction as to the purpose and direction of the association. All utility and pipeline professionals with core or related HDD business are encouraged to attend. The program will be complimentary to HDD personnel.
Researchers develop safety monitoring system for construction sites
(UI) — University of Houston computer scientists have developed a new system to keep construction workers safe at job sites. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 4,764 workers died on the job in 2020. Employees in construction and extraction occupations accounted for 20% of those deaths.
United Utility to create over 300 new jobs in Louisiana with new headquarters
The estimated 141 new jobs to be filled over the next five years will have an average annual salary of nearly $96,000. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in another 167 new indirect jobs, for a total of 308 new jobs in the Southeast Region.
DCA launches new workforce campaign ‘Success Looks Like This’
(UI) — Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) is launching an alluring new workforce initiative — ‘Success Looks Like This’ — a campaign designed to showcase underground utility jobs for what they are: well-paying, personally fulfilling career opportunities.
Common Ground Alliance issues “50 in 5” challenge to cut damages to buried utilities in half by 2028
(UI) – Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the national nonprofit trade association, has issued its “50 in 5” industry challenge to stakeholders with a goal of reducing damages to critical underground utilities by 50% in five years.
McElroy receives 'Sharp' award for commitment to workplace safety
(UI) — McElroy, the world's leading designer and manufacturer of thermoplastic fusion equipment, has been recognized for its commitment to workplace safety and its participation in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
Convention Preview: Workforce Development, Damage Prevention Are High on PCCA’s Agenda
(UI) — The Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) entered 2023 focused on issues surrounding the influx of federal funds into the broadband and electric power markets, primarily finding a sufficient workforce, keeping the underground space safe and dealing with various stipulations placed upon the funding. PCCA also has two meetings planned for 2023 – the 78th Annual Convention in Miami, Fla., March 3–8, and the Mid-Year Meeting in Dana Point, Calif., Aug. 6-9.
CUIRE – Forging Ahead in Research, Education and Outreach
It is hard to believe that 20 years have passed since the Center for Underground Infrastructure Research and Education (CUIRE) was established. In 2000, a trenchless technology conference was held at Michigan State University (MSU). At the end of that conference, a group of industry leaders voted to establish CUIRE.
CASE Construction, country music star launch contest to bring awareness to construction careers
"We need to keep teaching kids that careers in construction bring great pride, lifelong earning potential, and the ability to build a world and path of their own,” said award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Jon Pardi.
Be part of the inaugural UC Awards
The Underground Construction Awards will be the best opportunity of the year to truly recognize and honor the best of this grand, underground infrastructure industry in which we all relish and participate.
Registration open for 14th ASCE UESI/BAMI-I Utility Investigation School
The Buried Asset Management Institute – International & the California Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the ASCE’S Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute, have teamed to conduct the 14th ASCE UESI / BAMI-I UIS School in 2022.
Staggering rise in trenching deaths spurs Department of Labor to enhance enforcement, oversight
In 2022’s first six months, 22 workers have fallen victim to the deadly hazards present in trenching and excavation work – surpassing 15 in all of 2021 – and prompting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to launch enhanced enforcement initiatives to protect workers from known industry hazards.
Inside Infrastructure: Labor Policy Must Recognize Workforce Capacity Challenges
While the $550 billion bill in new federal investment is promising, the construction industry continues to face stubborn challenges related to job capacity.
Strange Days
I think it’s safe to say that most people in the underground utility and pipeline industry entered 2022 hoping for a strong rebound and return to a much sought-after normal year. Ironically, 2022 has proven to be a year beset by bizarre challenges, yet still sugar-coated with financial windfalls.
Broadband expansion has companies looking to recruit skilled workers
Although major federal investments are aiming to bridge the internet access gap, the funds can only go so far without an increase in the number of workers capable of building and installing high-speed internet infrastructure.
Manufacturing Background Leads Arrow to Contracting Success
With the pandemic and other market factors, Arrow Trenching diversified into wind and solar work, while maintaining relationships with customers in oil and gas.
CGA announces Tristan Brown as keynote at 2022 CGA Conference & Expo
Common Ground Alliance announces Tristan Brown, deputy administrator of PHMSA as the keynote speaker of the 2022 CGA Conference & Expo.
UCTA hosts sporting clays charity event
The Underground Construction Technology Association is hosting a sporting clays charity event on April 23 at the Westside Sporting Grounds in Katy, TX.
- North America 2024 Pipeline Construction Outlook: New LNG Terminals Lead Call for More Pipelines
- DeLa Express seeks FERC approval for Permian-to-Louisiana gas pipeline project
- Challenges of repairing rural water lines in urbanizing areas
- OSHA penalizes Houston contractor over safety violations resulting in worker's death
- Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes
- Michigan lawmakers introduce bills to create septic codes throughout the state
- Indiana American Water to gain 8,000 water customers with Silver Creek Water acquisition
- New York State OKs $57.8 million underground transmission line linking Nanuet to West Nyack
- Arkansas governor allocates $42 million for water infrastructure projects
- Federal judge finds Flint, Mich, in contempt over lead water pipe crisis