Beneath the Surface: A Stark Reminder of Trench Safety Imperatives

In the realm of underground construction, the ground we break can sometimes break us if not approached with utmost caution. Recent events have underscored the ever-present dangers lurking beneath our feet.

Catonsville Tragedy: A Wake-Up Call

On February 28, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in Catonsville, Maryland, where two young construction workers lost their lives due to a trench collapse. While reinforcing a retaining wall inside an 8-foot-deep trench, the structure gave way, burying them under soil and debris. Despite rescue efforts involving nearly 60 personnel over seven hours, both workers were pronounced dead at the scene. The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) is investigating the incident to determine the causes and potential safety violations. Source

Houston Incident: A Preventable Loss

In early February, a construction worker died when an 8-foot trench collapsed at the Stone River Apartments in southwest Houston. The crew was performing maintenance work when the trench gave way. One worker managed to escape, but another was buried and pronounced dead at the scene. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident. Source

California Contractor Fined: Lessons in Accountability

In August 2024, a worker died in San Diego after a 17-foot-deep trench collapsed, displacing a concrete pipe that pinned and killed the employee. Cal/OSHA's investigation revealed serious violations, including failure to implement an effective injury and illness prevention program, inadequate site inspections, and lack of cave-in protection. W.A. Rasic Construction was fined $157,500 for these violations. Source

The Human Cost: Beyond Statistics

Each of these incidents is a stark reminder that behind every statistic is a human life—a family shattered, a community affected. The pain of loss reverberates far beyond the construction site, impacting loved ones and colleagues alike.

Moving Forward: A Collective Responsibility

These tragedies highlight the critical need for stringent safety measures in trenching and excavation work. Employers must ensure compliance with safety regulations, provide proper training, and implement protective systems like trench boxes and shoring. Workers should be empowered to speak up about unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation.

As an industry, we must commit to a culture of safety that prioritizes human life above all else. Let these incidents serve not only as cautionary tales but as catalysts for change.

Stay safe out there. The ground we work on is unforgiving, but with vigilance and adherence to safety protocols, we can prevent these tragedies from recurring.

Water Tapping Competition

For anyone who is interesting in water mains and services I stumbled upon this. These guys are good.  https://youtu.be/MRbiAjgUhMg

ConExpo/ConAgg 2017

It is that time again.  ConExpo / ConAgg will be March 7-11 at Las Vegas, Nevada.  The show in the past has been good displaying the newest and most advanced technology available for the construction industry.  I would highly recommend attending the show if you have the opportunity.

http://www.conexpoconagg.com

Support Bean Kills 1 Worker in Chicago

http://www.equipmentworld.com/i-90-support-beam-collapse-kills-1-worker-injures-3-in-chicago/ 

New Jersey Lead Poisoning

http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2016/03/environmentalistssaynewarkwatercrisisshinesl.html

Indiana approves more than $1 billion in transportation infrastructure funding [feedly]

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Indiana approves more than $1 billion in transportation infrastructure funding // Equipment World

The Indiana House and Senate approved March 10 transportation infrastructure funding legislation that allocates more than $1 billion to road and bridge projects over four years without the increase in gas and cigarette taxes that had been proposed previously.

Gov. Mike Pence, who plans to sign the bill as soon as he receives it, said he was happy with the resolution to fund infrastructure in the state that did not raise taxes.

“On this project there were hours and hours of figuring out common ground,” Pence said in a press conference on March 11. “At the end of the day the people of Indiana won. This is a very balanced plan that equally invests in local and state infrastructure.”

Details of House Enrolled Act. No. 1001 are available here. The funding will be made available through a combination of general fund transfers (state reserve), transfers from the Major Moves 2020 Trust Fund and Next Generation Trust Fund, fees on electric and hybrid vehicles and the dedication of an existing 1.5 cents per gallon gas tax. Part of the total funding will also come from federal sources.

For fiscal year 2017, the state reserve transfer will total $490.1 million and the Major Moves 2020 transfer will be $100 million. For the same time frame, the electric vehicle fee revenue is expected to reach $150,000 and the hybrid vehicle fee revenue is estimated at $3.1 million.

One key benefit to local communities is the requirement that at least half of the $100 million transfer go to counties with populations less than 50,000. All of the money from that transfer is also mandated to be used for preserving or reconstructing existing state highways and bridges.

The 1.5 cents per gallon gas tax allocation, Pence said, is expected to bring in $276 million dedicated to road funding over the next four years. “This is truly a long-term solution for infrastructure for our local communities,” he explained. “It could be described as historic investment for local roads and bridges.”

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Mark Haskins Sent from my iPad

AWWA recommends complete removal of lead

The AWWA board has recommended the complete removal of lead lines.  Many of us have seen the amount of lead still in service It is estimated that they're 6.1 million lead service lines that are lead.   I foresee there will be lots of work to elimate the lead. What I'm not certain of is, where the funding will come from.  

http://contractormag.com/piping/awwa-board-supports-recommendation-complete-removal-lead-service-lines

New Site

Well I finally got around to getting new site up.  It is far from perfect but it is there.  It should work better with mobile devices as well.  

Here in "The Trenches" I want to keep other informed of current events, including new stories, political happenings, new technology among other things.  

So I invite you to take a look around the site.  See some of our project photos, see our capabilities or just say "hi".  

God Bless,

Mark