Damage Prevention & Safety
OSHA weighs safety variance for New Hampshire sewer tunnel project
OSHA is reviewing updated decompression procedures for workers on a New Hampshire sewer tunnel project, reflecting the evolution of safety practices for modern tunnel boring operations.
Solvent welding best practices for reliable underground pipe joints
Proper solvent cement selection, environmental awareness and installation technique remain critical for reliable underground PVC, CPVC and ABS pipe systems.
Oil pipeline struck during fiber optic construction spills into L.A. storm drains
A fiber optic construction crew ruptured a 16-inch crude oil pipeline in East Los Angeles, sending oil into storm drains and portions of the LA River while triggering a large-scale environmental response.
Long Beach, Calif., trench collapse kills construction worker at shelter project
A trench collapse at a shelter construction site in Long Beach, Calif., killed one worker and injured two others during underground conduit installation work.
Florida Gas wins appeal over PHMSA pipeline enforcement order
A federal appeals court vacated PHMSA’s enforcement order against Florida Gas Transmission, ruling the agency acted arbitrarily and failed to provide fair notice in a pipeline rupture case.
PHMSA opens $22 million in pipeline, hazmat safety grants
PHMSA has announced more than $22 million in grant funding to support pipeline safety, hazardous materials response training and infrastructure safety programs nationwide.
Senate passes PIPELINE Safety Act aimed at strengthening buried utility protection
The Senate has passed the bipartisan PIPELINE Safety Act, advancing new excavation damage prevention measures tied to 811 participation, GIS mapping and buried utility protection.
Lawsuits follow 2.9-million-gallon sewer spill tied to California wastewater system
Dozens of residents have filed lawsuits following a 2.9-million-gallon California sewer spill, alleging years of inadequate maintenance and aging wastewater infrastructure contributed to the force main failure.
50-year-old Michigan water main failure disrupts service across Oakland County
A major water main break in Oakland County, Mich., has triggered emergency declarations, boil water advisories and widespread service disruptions as crews work on repairs.
Inside Infrastructure: Utility locators warn of systemic failures in damage prevention process
Utility locating professionals are calling for reforms to address systemic failures in the 811 damage prevention process, citing safety risks, mapping issues and workforce challenges.
PHMSA adds AMPP corrosion standards to federal pipeline safety rules
PHMSA incorporates updated AMPP corrosion standards into federal pipeline safety regulations, signaling a shift toward stricter compliance and alignment with current industry practices.
Fiber construction causes repeated water main breaks in Longwood, Fla.
Repeated water main breaks tied to fiber installation in Longwood, Fla., have led to boil water notices, contractor removal and new oversight measures.
Gas line strike in Texas disrupts service to 200+ residents before restoration
A gas line strike in Texas disrupted service to more than 200 residents after a contractor hit the line during construction. Crews secured the site and restored service following emergency repairs.
Fiber drilling strike triggers major sewer failure, lawsuits in Florida
A fiber installation project in Florida led to a major sewer rupture and millions of gallons of wastewater spilling, highlighting risks tied to underground utility conflicts during drilling.
Shore Up for Safety Week returns with focus on trench, excavation safety training
The North American Excavation Shoring Association is launching Shore Up for Safety Week, bringing excavation and trench safety training to jobsites nationwide.
Natural gas pipeline blowout prompts evacuation in Louisiana; no injuries reported
A natural gas pipeline blowout in Louisiana prompted evacuations after a pressure buildup caused a release along the line. Emergency crews secured the site and shut down the pipeline, with no injuries reported.
OSHA orders reinstatement after Oklahoma inspector fired over pipeline safety concerns
OSHA has ordered a pipeline inspector reinstated after finding a wrongful termination tied to safety concerns during a gas pipeline project in Oklahoma.
DOJ sues D.C. Water over Potomac interceptor failure, sewage spill
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a Clean Water Act complaint against D.C. Water following a sewer pipeline failure that released more than 200 million gallons of untreated wastewater into the Potomac River.
OSHA cites Alabama builder after fatal trench collapse
A fatal trench collapse in Alabama has led OSHA to cite a homebuilder for multiple safety violations, highlighting ongoing risks in excavation work and trench safety compliance.
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.
- OSHA investigates fatal trench collapse at Conroe construction site
- Final Lake Erie sewer tunnel project set to begin after decades-long $3 billion effort
- Texas811 launches real-time excavation detection to prevent utility strikes
- Fiber drilling strike triggers major sewer failure, lawsuits in Florida
- Oil pipeline struck during fiber optic construction spills into L.A. storm drains
- Fatal trench collapse in Mass. leads to $4.6 million OSHA penalty, dozens of violations
- Texas811 launches real-time excavation detection to prevent utility strikes
- Race Communications breaks ground on Bakersfield fiber network
- Final Lake Erie sewer tunnel project set to begin after decades-long $3 billion effort
- Inside Infrastructure: Utility locators warn of systemic failures in damage prevention process