Chairman's Message Gearing Up NUCA staff is already busy preparing for our Fall Leadership Conference here in my home state of Rhode Island the week of Oct. 8. I’m excited to host the conference which, as always, will be a great time to learn from our speakers, seminars and meetings. Read More	Inside Washington The Repercussions Surrounding the Highway Trust Fund  The Highway Trust Fund is going broke. The current funding levels for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) will run out at some point this summer, likely before the authorizing legislation (MAP-21) expires. Read More	Subscribe Renew or Update My FREE subscription today for Utility Contractor, as well as sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter. Sign up now.

SDLG Unveils Three Cubic Yard LG948L Wheel Loader
As the demand for value-priced construction equipment grows in North America, SDLG unveils a new wheel loader model aimed at customer preference. Companies in North America are demanding more and more equipment manufactured in China. The...
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LiuGong North America announces Douglas Lake Equipment as new dealer
LiuGong North America  recently announced  Douglas Lake Equipment  as a key member of the LiuGong North America dealer network. Traditionally, up until this point, Douglas Lake Equipment has been a dealer for a single line of products....
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Vermeer Introduces D20X22 S3 Navigator Drill
Input from horizontal directional drilling contractors played a role in the design of the recently released Vermeer D20x22 S3 Navigator drill. The new drill offers improved power and reliability for contractors who desire a small footprint...
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Cover Story

All Eyes on Safety
Safety on the job seems like an obvious must-have, like the right piece of equipment or a well-trained crew member. However, safe practices can often be overlooked in the name of getting a task done quickly or simply ignorance to proper standards or equipment operation. Forgetting safety is not an option. Adhering to proper safety procedures during a project helps to ensure that everyone gets home unharmed after the day is done. Read more

Featured Stories

NUCA’s 2013 Associate of the Year Awarded to CNA’s Helen Prince
CNA has been providing insurance to business owners for more than a century and has been a proud member of NUCA for 25 years. The company supports the industry by handling the background work that allows contractors the opportunity to focus solely on strengthening our utilities. Read more

Trench Shielding Helps Alleviate the Painful Expenses of Excavation Work
For years, the cost of diesel fuel has been a large expense for utility and site-prep contractors. And, now, thanks to the recent increases in diesel prices, it’s an even bigger expense. Diesel fuel cost is problematic for at least six reasons. Read more

Layne Heavy Civil Installs Large Diameter Pipe Safely with Efficiency Trench Boxes
The Austin (Texas) Water Utility recently awarded an important underground utility project to Layne Heavy Civil Inc., headquartered in Fairburn, Ga. Layne is in the process of installing 17,500 linear ft of 54-in. diameter cement coated pipe, mostly in joints 50 ft long. Read more

Trench Safety Showcase
From equipment to training services, five companies share their product offerings. Read more

Tips to Keep Your Excavator Working at Its Peak Performance Throughout the Busy Work Season
While an excavator’s longevity is impacted by a wide variety of variables, you can control many of your outcomes through selecting the right machine, tending to the right maintenance and following the right operation, says Shane Reardon, Doosan Excavator Product Specialist. Read more

Selecting the Best Compaction Equipment for the Most Productive (and Safest) Results
There are many types of compaction equipment designed for different applications. Basically, soil compaction is the conditioning of soil beneath or next to construction. In the case of utility construction, soil compaction provides a solid foundation around and above pipe and other utility lines where a trench is typically used. Read more

When Coworkers and Employees Have Experienced Tragedy
How best can we meet the challenge of being helpful and supportive to friends, coworkers and employees who may have experienced deep and lasting wounds from traumatic experiences? Read more

2014-2015 NUCA Membership Directory
The 2014-2015 NUCA Membership Directory is a handy reference, indexed by state and product/service, of NUCA Contractor, Associate and Institutional Members. Read more

Inside Washington

The Repercussions Surrounding the Highway Trust Fund
The current funding levels for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) will run out at some point this summer, likely before the authorizing legislation (MAP-21) expires. This is not just bad; it’s cataclysmic for our infrastructure and our economy. Read more

Safety

Selecting Safe Subcontractors
Among the most important issues to consider when selecting subcontractors is the subcontractor’s commitment to safety. Choosing a subcontractor with a poor safety record can lead to huge problems for the controlling contractor. Read more