skip to main content
Travelers Logo
  • About
  • Careers
  • Agents
  • Investors
  • Sustainability
  • Contact Us
  • For Individuals
    • Overview
    • Products
      • Car
      • Home
      • Renters
      • Condo
      • Landlord
      • Boat & Yacht
      • Flood
      • Motorcycle
      • Travel
      • Pet
      • Weddings
      • Umbrella
      • All Products
    • Prepare & Prevent
      • Insurance 101
      • Home Central
      • Travelers Garage
      • Managing Through COVID-19
    • Affinity Group Discount
    • Online Service
    • Pay Your Bill
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • For Business
    • Overview
    • Products & Solutions
      • Overview
      • Boiler & Machinery
      • Commercial Auto & Trucking
      • Cyber
      • Environmental Liability
      • Excess Casualty & Umbrella
      • General Liability
      • Global Insurance
      • Inland Marine
      • Management & Professional Liability
      • Ocean Marine
      • Property
      • Business Owner's Policy
      • Surety Bonds
      • Workers Compensation
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Industries
      • Overview
      • Agribusiness
      • Architects, Engineers & Surveyors
      • Auto & Truck Dealers
      • Business & Professional Services
      • Construction
      • Education
      • Energy & Renewable
      • Equipment Dealers
      • Financial Institutions
      • Food Services
      • Health & Related Services
      • Hospitality & Recreation
      • Manufacturing
      • Marine Industries
      • Museums & Fine Art
      • Non-Profit
      • Oil & Gas
      • Public Entities
      • Real Estate
      • Retail
      • Technology
      • Transportation
      • Wholesale & Distribution
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Services
      • Overview
      • Risk Control
      • Claim
      • Premium Audit
      • Online Customer Tools
      • Risk Management Information Services
      • Travelers Client Advantage
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Small Business
      • Overview
      • Automobile Insurance
      • Business Owner's Policy
      • Data Breach
      • Employment Practices Liability
      • Professional Insurance
      • Umbrella Insurance
      • Workers Compensation Inurance
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Large Business
      • Overview
      • Casualty
      • Cyber
      • Management & Professional Liability
      • Property
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
    • Multinational Business
    • Prepare & Prevent
      • By Topic
      • By Industry
      • Navigating Your Business Through COVID-19
        • Find an Agent
        • File a Claim
        • Pay Your Bill
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • Claim Center
    • Claim Center
    • Should I File a Claim?
    • File a Claim
    • Roadside Assistance
    • Find a Service Provider
    • Check Your Claim Status
    • Manage Your Claim Experience
      • Understanding the Claim Process
      • Claim Guide Library
      • Workers Compensation Resources
    • Claim Capabilities
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • Prepare & Prevent
    • For Individuals
    • Home Central
      • Buying & Selling
      • Home Maintenance
      • Home Renovation
      • Home Safety
      • Moving
      • Smart Home
    • Travelers Garage
      • Buying & Selling
      • Car Maintenance
      • Distracted Driving
      • Safe Driving
      • Teen Driving
      • Boating
    • Insurance 101
    • Weather
    • For Business
    • Industries
      • Construction
      • Manufacturing
      • Nonprofit
      • Small Business
      • Technology
    • Topics
      • Business Continuity
      • Cyber
      • Driver and Fleet Safety
      • Facilities Management
      • Internet of Things
      • Product and Services Liability
      • Supply Chain Management
      • Workplace Safety
    • Travelers Risk Index
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
  • About Travelers
    • Overview
      • Awards & Recognition
      • Careers
      • Community
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Sustainability
      • History
      • Investors
      • Media Resources
      • News
      • Travelers Championship
      • Travelers Institute
      • Get a Quote
      • Find an Agent
      • File a Claim
      • Pay Your Bill
    • Get a Quote
    • Find an Agent
    • File a Claim
    • Pay Your Bill
Main Navigation
  • For Individuals
      • Insurance for Individuals
      • Products
        • Car
        • Home
        • Renters
        • Condo
        • Landlord
        • Boat & Yacht
        • Flood
        • Motorcycle
        • Travel
        • Pet
        • Weddings & Events
        • Umbrella
        • More
      • Prepare & Prevent
        • Insurance 101
        • Home Central
        • Travelers Garage
      • Affinity Group Discount
      • Online Service
      • Pay Your Bill
    • Get a home quote now

      It's easy to get a free quote for home insurance from Travelers in just a few minutes.

       

      Get a home quote now
  • For Business
      • Products & Solutions
        • Commercial Auto & Trucking
        • Cyber
        • General Liability
        • Management & Professional Liability
        • Property
        • Business Owner's Policy
        • Surety Bonds
        • Workers Compensation
        • More
      • Industries
        • Construction
        • Energy & Renewable
        • Financial Institutions
        • Healthcare
        • Manufacturing
        • Real Estate
        • Technology
        • Transportation
        • More
      • Prepare & Prevent
      • Services
        • Risk Control
        • Claim
        • Premium Audit
        • More
      • Pay Your Bill
      • Small Business
      • Large Business
      • Multinational Business
      • For Business Overview
    • Tips for Managing Risks Related to a Remote Workforce

      Tips for Managing Risks Related to a Remote Workforce

      With the current reality of more employees working from home through the pandemic, is your business ready for all the implications?

      Learn more
  • Claim Center
      • Claim Center
      • Should I File a Claim?
      • File a Claim
      • Roadside Assistance
      • Find a Service Provider
      • Check Your Claim Status
      • Manage Your Claim Experience
        • Understanding the Claim Process
        • Claim Guide Library
        • Workers Compensation Resources
      • Claim Capabilities
    • Send us your receipts, photos, invoices and more with just a push of a button.

      Securely share information with your Claim team.

      Send us your receipts, photos, invoices and more with just a push of a button.

      Upload a File
  • Prepare & Prevent
      • For Individuals
      • Home Central
        • Buying & Selling
        • Home Maintenance
        • Home Renovation
        • Home Safety
        • Moving
        • Smart Home
      • Travelers Garage
        • Buying & Selling
        • Car Maintenance
        • Distracted Driving
        • Safe Driving
        • Teen Driving
        • Boating
      • Insurance 101
      • Weather
      • For Business
      • Industries
        • Construction
        • Energy
        • Manufacturing
        • Nonprofit
        • Small Business
        • Technology
      • Topics
        • Business Continuity
        • Cyber
        • Driver and Fleet Safety
        • Facilities Management
        • Internet of Things
        • Product and Services Liability
        • Supply Chain Management
        • Workplace Safety
      • Travelers Risk Index
    • Managing Through COVID-19

      Managing Through COVID-19

      Resources to help you adapt to the realities of COVID-19.

      Learn more
  • Home
  • Prepare & Prevent
  • Business
  • Industries
  • Construction
  • Risks to Utility Contractors as Demand Grows

Risks to Utility Contractors as Demand Grows

By Travelers Risk Control
Utility contractors working on construction site Utility contractors working on construction site

The nation’s overall infrastructure received a grade of C- from the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2022.1 Proposed improvement projects could mean significant work for contractors, but a shortage of skilled labor may make it difficult to find qualified talent. Although the utility industry typically has stringent safety procedures in place for employees, increased spending on utility work could attract contractors from other fields that may lack experience with specific safety procedures.

Utility contractors will need to consistently apply safety practices, training and controls as they ramp up to meet increased demand or diversify their operations. These safety practices are particularly important when attracting, recruiting and onboarding new utility workers, a time when there may be a heightened risk of accidents. For example, Travelers Claim data shows that 48% of all construction workplace injuries occur within the first year of employment.2

“The utility industry does a tremendous job protecting their employees when there is an increase in activity,” said Kenton Wengert, Travelers Vice President of Risk Control Construction. “When we see a spike in demand for utility work, such as after a storm, utility contractors can face increased risks associated with employees driving while fatigued, working in unfamiliar areas and working long hours.” Having safety policies to prevent drowsy driving and limit hours worked, as well as hours of service as outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration when applicable, can help prevent employee injuries.

48% of all workplace injuries occur within the first year of employment2

Here are some other potential risks for utility contractors to consider:

Trenching and Working in Confined Spaces

Trench collapses are one of the leading causes of fatalities and injuries each year, making trenching and excavating work one of the most dangerous construction activities. Working around underground utilities poses additional hazards. Specific utilities such as natural gas and electrical require additional training and testing to address specific installation practices, which may be regulated by local and state agencies. Contact 811 before digging to assist in identifying underground utilities. Create a written trenching and excavating safety plan that includes a competent person to help reduce the risk of injuries and other losses.

Overhead Line Work

Working near energized lines at elevation during overhead power work is one of the highest severity exposures for construction workers, according to Wengert. Plan the work and share the plan with all employees who might be involved in or associated with the job task. 

Utility Strikes, Explosions and Vibration Damage Caused by Digging or Breaking Ground

During work, quality assurance and quality control procedures can help contractors prevent damage to abutting properties or people. Travelers offers customers ZoneCheck®, an online mobile vibration tool designed to help identify potential equipment-generated ground vibration risks and additional steps to consider. Proper project documentation of existing conditions in a pre-construction survey can also help protect a company from a claim of property damage.

Work Zone Traffic Controls

Proper traffic control procedures can help utility contractors working near roadways address the risk of being struck by a vehicle and other hazards. Following the guidelines established by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and requiring subcontractors to follow them as well, can help protect workers from traffic risks and also help protect the traveling public, whether on foot, bicycle or vehicle.

Working Around Heavy Equipment

“Struck-by” deaths are one of the construction industry’s “Fatal Four” leading causes of death on the job site – of which 75% involve heavy equipment.3 Utility workers can be struck by backhoes, excavators and heavy-duty trucks when working in a tight footprint, such as near an underground utility project. Heavy equipment can also present dangers to pedestrians in the area. Pre-planning and safe work practices, using spotters and trained equipment operators, along with increased ground worker awareness can help protect workers and pedestrians near heavy equipment.

As the country’s infrastructure continues to age and extreme weather persists in affecting the power grid, contractors face the challenge of more time-sensitive utility projects that require rapidly increasing resources to meet demand. Following safety best practices can be a competitive advantage that helps protect workers, property owners and the contractor’s brand and reputation.

Sources:
1https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/ 
2Travelers Claim data 2015-2019
3https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/struckby/mainpage.html

 

Learn More About Construction Insurance

More Prepare & Prevent

Severe weather rolling in to a construction site

Preparing Your Construction Site for Severe Weather

Severe weather damage can add both cost and time to a construction project. Learn how to help protect your construction site from severe weather.

Hard hat area sign in front of construction site

Protecting Your Construction Site from Fire, Water and Theft

Learn how to help protect your construction site from common builder's risks such as fire risk, water damage and vandalism.

Manufacturing worker using equipment

Take the Workforce Pressure Test [Tool]

The Workforce Pressure Test can help determine if you are doing enough to help ensure your employees are skilled, safe and resilient.

Top Stories
Bulldozer

Staying Safe Around Heavy Equipment

Help keep equipment operators, ground workers and pedestrians safe by taking these safety measures.

  • Learn more

Related Content

  • Helping Employers Manage a Safer Workforce
  • 5 Equipment Innovations Impacting Construction Business Operations
  • The Travelers Vibration Tool - ZoneCheck®

Find an Agent

Need an Agent?

Get the personal service and attention that an agent provides.

Find a local agent in your area:


Close-up of top of Crane

Risk Management Solutions for Construction Contractors

Highly-skilled underwriting, customized commercial insurance products for the construction industry, and tailored programs and services to help reduce contractors' cost of risk.


See All Construction Content


Travelers logo

Travelers and The Travelers Umbrella are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries.
© 2023 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved.

  • Travelers on Facebook
  • Travelers on YouTube
  • Travelers on Twitter
  • Travelers on LinkedIn
  • Travelers on Instagram

Products & Services

  • For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • Claim Services
  • Prepare & Prevent

Our Company

  • About Travelers
  • Careers
  • Investors
  • Sustainability
  • Travelers Institute

Connect

  • Customer Support
  • MyTravelers®
  • For Agents
  • Find an Agent

Legal & Compliance

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy & Security
  • Cookie Settings
  • Accessibility
  • Producer Compensation Disclosure