Damage Prevention & Safety
OSHA investigates fatal trench collapse at Conroe construction site
OSHA is investigating a fatal trench collapse at a construction site in Conroe, Texas, where a worker was killed after a 10-foot dirt wall gave way. The incident occurred during underground piping installation and also left another worker injured.
Utility Investigation School targets utility strike prevention with ASCE training
The Utility Investigation School returns to Indianapolis this May, offering hands-on training in ASCE 38 and 75 standards aimed at improving subsurface utility practices and reducing strike risk.
Tunnel fire injures worker at Toledo sewer repair site tied to Arlington sinkhole
A tunnel fire at a sewer repair site tied to the Arlington sinkhole in Toledo, Ohio, injured a worker and temporarily disrupted construction operations as officials investigate the cause.
Water main break in Elma, N.Y. leaves 11,000 residents without service
A water main break in Elma, N.Y. left nearly 11,000 residents without service, prompting emergency response efforts and boil water advisories across multiple Erie County communities.
Fatal trench collapse in Pa. highlights ongoing excavation safety risks
A fatal trench collapse in Pennsylvania has renewed attention on excavation safety risks, as officials continue to warn of the dangers associated with trenching work.
Warning net system aims to cut excavation damage to buried utilities
A warning net system installed above buried infrastructure is helping reduce excavation damage to underground cables and pipelines by providing early visual alerts to crews.
Fatal trench collapse in Mass. leads to $4.6 million OSHA penalty, dozens of violations
The U.S. Department of Labor cited a Massachusetts contractor following a fatal trench collapse, issuing 7 willful and 33 repeat violations and proposing $4.6 million in penalties.
Mississippi pipeline explosions linked to unrepaired gas leaks
Federal investigators found unrepaired gas leaks and safety gaps led to pipeline explosions in Mississippi that destroyed homes and raised concerns over leak management practices.
Miami-Dade water main rupture floods tunnel, worker critically injured
A water main rupture in Miami-Dade flooded an underground construction tunnel, leaving a worker in critical condition and highlighting risks associated with active utility infrastructure projects.
HDPE training program helps utilities reduce leaks, strengthen workforce
A national HDPE pipeline training program is helping utilities reduce water loss, prevent leaks and build a skilled infrastructure workforce through hands-on education.
Turning awareness into action: 811 call centers
Despite widespread awareness of 811 requirements, damage to underground utilities remains high. This article urges contractors to consistently use state OneCall centers and provides a full directory for safe digging compliance.
Pflugerville targets May shutdown to repair damaged raw water pipeline
Officials in Pflugerville, Texas, are advancing repairs on a damaged 30-inch raw water pipeline after multiple breaks disrupted supply, with Stage 3 restrictions still in place as crews prepare for a coordinated system shutdown.
DC Water deploys drones to inspect Potomac interceptor after sewage spill
DC Water is deploying LiDAR-equipped drones to inspect the 54-mile Potomac interceptor following a 250 million-gallon sewage spill, as part of a broader effort to assess pipeline conditions and guide a $625 million rehabilitation program.
Major water main break in Boston’s Jamaica Plain prompts repairs
A major water main break in Boston’s Jamaica Plain flooded streets and disrupted traffic after a 3-foot transmission pipe failed, prompting emergency repairs on aging underground infrastructure.
27 pipeline safety violations tied to deadly Pa. chocolate factory explosion
Pennsylvania regulators cite 27 pipeline safety violations tied to a deadly natural gas explosion at a chocolate factory that killed seven workers.
OSHA probes Cape Coral, Fla., trench incident after worker trapped under pipe
OSHA has opened an investigation after a construction worker was trapped in a trench without proper protection in Cape Coral, Florida, prompting a rescue operation and work stoppage.
Sewer line break causes underground void, closes Cinco Ranch intersection
A broken sewer line caused an underground void beneath a major intersection in Cinco Ranch, Texas, forcing road closures while crews investigate the collapse and begin repairs to the damaged wastewater infrastructure.
Giant steel pipe suddenly rises from sewer construction site in Osaka
A large steel retaining pipe unexpectedly rose more than 13 meters above ground at a sewer construction site in Osaka, Japan, after water was drained from the structure, temporarily disrupting traffic and infrastructure work.
NIPSCO fined $463,000 for failing to properly locate underground pipelines
Indiana regulators fined NIPSCO $463,000 after investigators found the utility failed to properly locate underground pipelines in response to Indiana 811 excavation requests, violating state pipeline safety regulations.
Bethesda, Md., trench collapse traps 2 workers, rescued after technical response
Two construction workers were rescued after a trench collapsed at a job site in Bethesda, Maryland, leaving them partially buried while emergency crews carried out a technical rescue operation.
New Orleans mayor demands action after water main break floods streets
A major water main break in Uptown New Orleans flooded streets and triggered a boil water advisory, prompting Mayor Helena Moreno to demand faster action from the Sewerage & Water Board and expanded inspections of aging underground water infrastructure.
Pipeline failure triggers water emergency in Central Texas
A pipeline failure has triggered a water emergency in Pflugerville, Texas, forcing officials to impose strict conservation measures while crews install a temporary pipeline to restore flow to Lake Pflugerville.
DC Water investigation details Potomac Interceptor failure
DC Water has released a condition assessment report on the January Potomac Interceptor sewer collapse, detailing prior inspections, emergency repairs and environmental response efforts.
Contractor gas line strike triggers home explosion in Missouri
A Missouri home was destroyed after a contractor struck a gas line during utility work, allowing gas to accumulate inside the residence before an explosion occurred.
Nashville examines costs of burying power lines after storm outages
Following prolonged outages caused by a January winter storm, Nashville officials and utility leaders are evaluating the costs and feasibility of expanding underground electric infrastructure to improve grid resilience.
Severe winter drives water leaks and infrastructure stress in New York
Extreme winter conditions in Western New York have led to increased water main leaks, pavement cracking and rising municipal maintenance costs as freezing temperatures strain underground infrastructure systems.
Malibu advances $125-million sewer pipeline project to support post-fire rebuilding
Malibu officials are advancing a proposed $125-million sewer collection system and pipeline project to support rebuilding of fire-damaged coastal properties, with a two-step property owner vote planned to fund design and construction.
Nevada lawmakers examine OSHA violations tied to Musk’s Vegas tunnel project
Nevada lawmakers are examining OSHA and environmental safety violations tied to The Boring Company’s Las Vegas tunnel project, raising concerns about regulatory oversight and enforcement delays.
OSHA issues 16 citations following fatal sewer confined space incident
OSHA has cited an Alabama sewer contractor with 16 serious violations after two workers died from sewage gas exposure inside a manhole, highlighting ongoing confined space safety risks in underground utility construction.
Stop-work order issued after trench collapse critically injures worker in Valley Cottage, N.Y.
A stop-work order has been issued at a Valley Cottage, N.Y., construction site after a trench collapse critically injured a 25-year-old worker. OSHA and local authorities are investigating the incident.
- OSHA issues 16 citations following fatal sewer confined space incident
- 27 pipeline safety violations tied to deadly Pa. chocolate factory explosion
- Contractor gas line strike triggers home explosion in Missouri
- LA recovery reports call for $650 million power line burial, major utility upgrades in Pacific Palisades
- Comprehensive microtrenching FAQ: Key insights on the Vermeer MTR516 microtrencher
- T-Mobile to expand fiber broadband infrastructure footprint with $4.9 billion Metronet acquisition
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility
- Cityside launches $100 million fiber build in Corona, Calif.
- FiberLight to build 1,400-mile West Texas dark fiber network in $350 million expansion