Damage Prevention & Safety
First-of-its-kind notification service will improve contractor safety at former defense sites
Line-Scape, a technology leader in underground utility safety and underground visualization, on Friday announced a groundbreaking partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to enhance public and contractor safety around Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDs).
31 workers rescued after LA tunnel partially collapses
A massive rescue operation was launched last night in Los Angeles after a section of an underground tunnel partially collapsed, according to officials. A total of 31 workers were brought out safely, according to multiple news outlets. The collapse occurred 400 feet underground as workers were operating a tunnel boring machine.
Ala. man survives being pulled into flooded drainage pipe, carried 500 feet underground
A man in Alabama survived a harrowing ordeal last week after he was sucked into a flooded drainage pipe and swept hundreds of feet through an underground pipe system during severe weather. According to NBC affiliate WVTM 13, the city of Trussville's public works department is currently reviewing options to improve stormwater safety and reduce future flooding risks.
Two workers hospitalized after trench collapse in Anderson, S.C.
Two construction workers were rescued and rushed to the hospital after a trench collapsed on them in Anderson County, South Carolina. Fire officials responded to an emergency rescue call at the site on Tuesday, FOX Carolina News reported.
Harrisburg, Pa., house blast triggers PUC complaints over pipeline-safety lapses
The Pennsylvania PUC has filed formal complaints against UGI Utilities and Pronto Plumbing, alleging violations of pipeline safety and excavation regulations after a 2022 gas pipeline strike led to a house explosion near Harrisburg.
UTGIS launches new water leak detection systems for Fla. municipalities
Over the next 12 months, Florida-based Utility Testing and Geographic Information Systems (UTGIS) will be introducing new technologies and methodologies to help municipalities and utilities identify leaks in their water distribution systems.
HDD Association tackles industry issues, needs for small, large drillers
Surprisingly, it’s been more challenging than expected to prove to company owners that there’s value in correctly and safely performing horizontal directional drilling (HDD), observed Don Riggs, long-time owner/operator and HDD advocate. For the last two years, Riggs has served as HDDA’s inaugural president, and one of the top priorities of this new organization has been safety-focused education and training.
PHMSA publishes advisory bulletin on pipeline safety
Perhaps in an effort to convince Congress to lay off, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) just issued an advisory bulletin to promote the implementation of pipeline safety management systems (PSMS) by regulated pipeline owners and operators.
Emergency pipeline repair completed in Santa Maria, Calif.; water flows resume
Emergency repairs to the State Water pipeline that supplies Santa Maria, California, have been completed, allowing for the resumption of normal water usage, according to the Santa Maria Times. Deliveries from the State Water Project resumed on Sunday after a prompt response from the Central Coast Water Authority and the California Department of Water Resources.
Two workers injured in Wash. trench collapse; stop-work order issued
Two workers were rescued following a trench collapse at a housing construction site in Prosser on Sunday morning, as reported by West Benton Fire Rescue and the Tri-City Herald. As a result, the city issued a stop-work order to the contractors responsible, citing OSHA violations.
Texas construction worker killed in trench collapse; OSHA investigation underway
A construction worker died after being pulled from a collapsed trench at a Mabank, Texas job site. OSHA is investigating the cause of the fatal incident.
Dallas reduces water loss by 1.6 million gallons daily with advances in leak detection, pipe repairs
Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) has managed to reduce water loss by 1.6 million gallons daily through proactive pipeline repairs and leak detection technology, The Dallas Express reported. The utility manages over 5,077 miles of water mains covering 700 square miles. Its Leak Detection Program employs advanced technologies to identify non-surfacing and hard-to-detect leaks throughout the system every 2.5 years.
Worker dies after trench collapse at sewer project site in Norwich, Conn.
A man working on a sewer connection project in Norwich died June 13 after a trench collapsed at the job site, according to officials.
Undergrounding pilot program in Michigan proves effective against severe weather
Underground lines currently make up about 15% of all Consumers Energy electric lines, most being in subdivisions and areas with high population density. Burying lines improves reliability by 90% or more. In the next 5 years, the company aims to bury over 1,000 miles of line, subject to regulatory approval.
Worker airlifted after injury in 15-foot trench in Woodland, Wash.
A construction worker was seriously injured in a 15-foot trench in Woodland, Washington, after being struck by equipment. Crews from multiple agencies conducted a complex rescue before the worker was airlifted to a hospital.
Canadian plumbing company faces 11 charges over fatal 2023 trench collapse
Calgary-based Mr. Mike’s Plumbing is facing 11 charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act following a June 2023 trench collapse that killed one employee. The charges include failing to ensure worker safety, failing to stabilize an excavation site by shoring and failing to ensure a worker is protected from cave-ins at an excavation site, CBC News reported.
Atlanta preps for major infrastructure overhaul one year after water main breaks
According to Axios Atlanta, Saturday marked one year since two major water main breaks on the same day highlighted a larger issue in the city of Atlanta. Since then, officials have been working on a long-term plan to upgrade Atlanta’s aging water infrastructure and prevent similar problems in the future.
Oregon contractor cited again for trench safety failures on Beaverton jobsite
Oregon OSHA cited Renner Trucking and Excavating Inc. following a May 12 inspection that found two employees working in a trench more than five feet deep without any protective system in place.
Repairs underway for reported gas leak in Houston after crews hit line
According to ABC13 News, crews are working to contain what appears to be water gushing out of the ground in southeast Houston, which could indicate both a gas and water leak. Authorities said the incident happened when third-party construction crews were doing work and hit a line.
Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish
Pasadena, Calif., may need 500 more years to complete its underground utility project, citing cost, complexity, and coordination delays.
City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
In a recent Albuquerque City Council meeting, officials put forth a resolution to stop all fiber optic construction in the city, amid growing complaints from residents about damage and disruption due to improper installation by fiber optic contractors.
Body retrieved day after fatal trench collapse at Bakersfield, Calif., job site
A construction worker died after falling into a 20-foot trench at a site in west Bakersfield, Calif. Rescue teams recovered the body overnight, and an investigation is ongoing.
CenterPoint completes 400 miles of undergrounding ahead of 2025 hurricane season
As part of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), CenterPoint Energy announced that it has installed 400 miles of underground power lines over the past eight months, completing 100% of its strategic undergrounding goal ahead of schedule and before the start of the 2025 hurricane season.
NTSB publishes preliminary report on fatal gas pipeline explosion in Lexington, Mo.
The U.S. National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) has published a preliminary report concerning a fatal gas pipeline explosion that occurred last month in Lexington, Missouri. The explosion occurred after a subcontractor installing a fiber optic line drilled into an unmarked section of a capped underground gas distribution main located near residences.
Vandalia Rental launches specialized onsite services (SOS) for trench shoring equipment
Vandalia Rental has launched its Specialized Onsite Services (SOS) focused on Trench Shoring equipment. This significant expansion underscores the company’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the construction industry while prioritizing safety and efficiency on job sites.
Congress renews efforts to improve pipeline safety law
The Trump administration appears to be more interested in energizing the federal pipeline safety regulator than the Biden administration ever was. President Trump in late February nominated Paul Roberti to be the administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), a position that Biden left open for his four years in office.
Fatal scaffolding collapse halts work at Texas LNG construction site
Three workers were killed and two others injured on April 29 in an accident at Sempra's Port Arthur LNG construction site in Texas. Lead contractor Bechtel has suspended operations while the incident is investigated.
Pennsylvania American Water to replace 550 lead service lines in New Castle
The project will replace approximately 550 identified lead water service lines. Removing all leaded components will improve water quality for customers and aligns with regulatory initiatives.
BGE refutes claims of pipeline safety risks tied to falsified contractor audit
BGE has rejected claims by the Maryland PSC that its gas pipeline safety was compromised due to a former employee’s falsified inspection. The company insists no systemwide risks exist and defends its disciplinary handling of the matter.
Underground cable caused manhole explosion in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., officials say
A manhole explosion in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York on Saturday, April 19 narrowly missed a grandmother walking with her two grandchildren, the Times Union reported. City officials noted the explosion was caused by an electrical fault in an underground cable, and was not related to natural gas systems.
- 290-mile gas pipeline expansion proposed across Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- $227 million Garnet Valley water project advances, set to create 73,000 jobs in Nevada
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish
- Construction underway for $1.4 billion, 60-mile water pipeline in Chicago
- Gehl and Mustang offer world’s largest skid loader
- Growing Pains and Gains
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish