VHS | GAS LINE STRIKE LEADS TO CATASTROPHIC EXPLOSIONS

“Whether you’re adding a fence to your home or working on a construction site, if you’re planning to dig more than a few inches into the ground, you need to check for buried utilities, including buried gas lines. An exposed gas line is a vulnerable gas line, and a gas line strike can result in serious danger. We investigated two …

PROACTIVE DAMAGE PREVENTION: UTILITY SURVEYS

Utility surveys are a refreshingly proactive measure in a field that often relies too heavily on reactive solutions. They’re usually done in the planning stages of a project and as such help to prevent construction delays, surprise infrastructure conflicts, and over spending. By addressing risks before they materialize, these surveys create the foundation for safer, more efficient, and cost-effective construction …

UA / ISSUE 110

“Increased construction spending consistently correlates with more damages. If significant changes are not made to U.S. damage prevention, infrastructure funding will further strain the system, resulting in more damages in the coming years.” – 2022 DIRT Report   Introducing CERTLOC – a World-Leading Certified Locator Institute: READ Locators learning on the job: READ Ky 811 says growing means protecting underground …

VHS | KUALA LUMPUR’S SINKHOLE

Kuala Lumpur is grappling with a series of sinkholes, the most prominent being the one that tragically claimed the life of a woman on August 23, 2024, along the busy Jalan Masjid India. The incident has stirred concern among residents, traders, and authorities due to the potential risks posed by similar occurrences in the area.Heavy rains and potential underground infrastructure …

MACRO AND MICRO ECONOMICS OF DAMAGE PREVENTION

When you think about damage prevention, you might picture some folks with hard hats and spray paint, marking up the ground before a construction project kicks off. But if that’s where your mind stops, you’re missing the bigger picture. Damage prevention also has a mix of macro and microeconomic forces acting on it and which drive how we protect our …

LOCATORS LEARNING ON THE JOB

The ability to prevent damage to underground infrastructure hinges on both technical expertise and practical experience. On-the-job learning plays an indispensable role in bridging the gap between formal training and real-world application. Locators who engage in continuous learning on the job are better equipped to navigate the specific challenges of their work environment, such as identifying subtle variations in soil …

UA / ISSUE 109

Hope you guys had a great Labor Day?! Here’s the latest damage prevention news: NUAR Expands!: READ Harnessing Data for Damage Prevention: READ Modern Hybrid GIS Deployment Benefits Boston College: READ Fixing Manholes: READ Like a hurricane’ water main break sends water airborne, crashing into five homes: READ My Street Exploded: WATCH Time to Underground Our Lines?: READ Improving Rural …

VHS | FIXING MANHOLES

When we think of underground utilities, manholes are an essential ingredient to supporting access and damage prevention processes. This video delves into the essential yet often overlooked infrastructure that keeps cities functioning. It highlights the critical role of systems like roads, bridges, water supply, and waste management in sustaining urban life. The video contrasts traditional methods with modern advancements, such …

THE POWER OF DATA IN DAMAGE PREVENTION

Data, in many ways, is like a powerful river flowing through our modern world. Just as our ancestors once captured the energy of flowing water with simple water wheels, we’ve advanced over time to harness that same energy with hydroelectric dams, fueling entire cities. Yet, for many, the vast stream of data that surrounds us still flows largely untapped, slipping …

UA / ISSUE 108

“When we protect underground utilities, we’re not just preventing damage—we’re protecting lives and the environment.” Welcome to this issue of Utility Alert, here’s the top 10 stories from the last week:   Louisiana leads nation in broadband expansion, but some don’t dig the success: READ He struck an underground electric line… and lived! WATCH Exploring the Global Impact of Trenchless …