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FEBRUARY 2009 CONTENTSFEBRUARY 2009 | www.utilitycontractoronline.com16The Utility ConstructionEXPO ‘09 —“The Big Show”NUCA faces down economic woes atUtility Construction EXPO ‘09.1626 30263034Water, Water Everywhereand Not a Drop to DrinkBy Tom MinihanStaying dry when groundwater infiltratesthe jobsite.The Art of NegotiationBy Brad DawsonPainting the perfect portrait of contract bidding.All a Bored!By Rob FosterHopping on the auger boring bandwagon.DEPARTMENTS8 Groundbreaking News12 The Rental Yard: Rental MarketOverview48 Calendar49 The Pipeline50 Advertisers’ IndexNUCADEPARTMENTS6 President’s Message38 Inside Washington40 Safety Management: PPE Revisited44 NUCA News4 Utility Contractor | February 2009

NUCA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGESome Thoughts on How to Stimulate theEconomyBy the time you read this message, Congress may or may nothave passed economic stimulus legislation. Either way, tostimulate or not to stimulate the economy is not the question.What is at issue is how to do it in way that will achieve thedesired end. As I watch and listen to the debates over the stimulus packageproposal, I am torn about what should be done. As they say, “Thedevil is in the details.” For example, I am not in favor of increasing ournational debt, specifically when money is spent on something other thanthe needs of the Americans who pay the tax dollars that are being spent.I have never had a problem paying my fair share. All I ask is that those in charge of dispensingthose tax dollars focus on the core values of those providing them — the American people.Most debates seem to focus on the negative impact of more national debt. As a contractor, I viewdebt as a means of creating more assets or improving the assets that create wealth. While debtshould be kept within reasonable limits and ratios, it can have a positive impact when investedproperly. Most businesses have debt, manage it well and then create a positive return or impactfor the business. The United States can easily handle the exposure of reported debt projections.The number is just larger and scarier than most of us can comprehend.The real concern should be where the money created by the debt are spent. Both history andrecent studies indicate that spending on infrastructure creates jobs. This is not only a desirableoutcome in and of itself, but it also helps American businesses prosper. Both employers and employeespay income taxes, which in turn helps pay off any added debt and makes it possible forthe government to stay open for basic operations. And, along with the improved tax base, nationalassets are increased in value through infrastructure investment.Another debated item is tax relief, tax breaks and tax incentives. History and recent studiesindicate that these items can also help stimulate the economy. Speaking as a contractor andemployer, my principal concern is lack of work. If my company cannot find work, I cannothire employees or buy new equipment. If businesses do not have work, they will not be payingtaxes and neither will the unemployed. If you want to have a debt problem, try payingbills without money! The government can give us all the tax breaks and incentives they want,but without work we are not going to hire or buy and given enough time, we too will be inline for food stamps and other government handouts. And I say “good luck” to the governmentin paying for the handouts when there are insufficient tax dollars coming into the governmentcoffers. That looks like a bigger debt problem to me.While I don’t have all the answers, I do have an informed opinion. In principle, I am notopposed to either deficit spending or tax incentives, provided they are properly structured.A controlled debt package that includes infrastructure investment is money well spent.Add to that tax incentives that will further enhance economic activity and you have a recipefor American success and satisfaction.6 Utility Contractor | February 2009Regards,Terry DillonBENJAMIN MEDIAPublishing TeamPublisherBernard P. Krzys — bkrzys@benjaminmedia.comAssociate PublisherRobert D. Krzys — robk@benjaminmedia.comEditorJames W. Rush — jrush@benjaminmedia.comManaging EditorKeith Gribbins — kgribbins@benjaminmedia.comAssociate EditorJason Morgan — jmorgan@benjaminmedia.comContributing EditorsSharon M. Bueno — sbueno@benjaminmedia.comBradley Kramer — bkramer@benjaminmedia.comPam Stask — pstask@benjaminmedia.comGreg Thompson — gthompson@benjaminmedia.comCreative DirectorW.M. Conley — mconley@benjaminmedia.comGraphic DesignerElizabeth C. Stull — estull@benjaminmedia.comMarketing ManagerPete McNeil — pmcneil@benjaminmedia.comRegional Sales RepresentativeRyan Sneltzer — rsneltzer@benjaminmedia.comCirculation ManagerAlexis R. Tarbet — atarbet@benjaminmedia.comNUCAOfficersPresidentTerry Dillon — West Lafayette, Ind.President-ElectLyle Schellenberg — Salem, Ore.Senior Vice PresidentDan East — Albuquerque, N.M.TreasurerRyan Schmitt — Jacksonville, Fla.SecretaryAlex Paris — Atlasburg, Penn.NUCAVice PresidentsJim BarronJoppa, Md.Bill BocchinoJacksonville, Fla.Kevin CrippsGreensboro, N.C.Virginia DiCristofaroWarwick, R.I.Chuck DimickLas Vegas, Nev.Glenn ElyNewtown, Pa.Ricky HarpFayetteville, Ga.John LetourneauDuluth, Minn.Roy MoorePortland, Ore.NUCAStaffRon NunesWest Warwick, R.I.Dave RiceHenderson, Nev.Mark ScoccoloPacific, Wash.Mike SmithAlbuquerque, N.M.Keith SteenWest Point, Ga.Bruce WendorfPunta Gorda, Fla.Andy WolfDavenport, IowaKirk WoodwardPhoenix, Ariz.Brandon YoungDes Moines, IowaChief Executive OfficerBill Hillman — bhillman@nuca.comChief Operating OfficerLinda Holtz — linda@nuca.comDirector of CommunicationsSusan Williams — susan@nuca.comFebruary 2009 Volume 33, Number 2 UtilityContractor (ISSN 1098-0342) is publishedmonthly for the National Utility Contractors Associationby Benjamin Media Inc., 1770 MainStreet, PO Box 190, Peninsula, OH 44264.Periodicals postage paid at Peninsula, OH andadditional office. Subscription price: $1.50 perissue, $15 per year. Foreign subscriptions: $3 additionalper year. Subscription rate for membersis $15, which is included in the dues. ©2008NUCA. All rights reserved by the National UtilityContractors Association for articles containedherein except where otherwise noted. No part ofthis publication may be reproduced or transmittedby any means without written permissionfrom the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:Benjamin Media P.O. Box 190 Peninsula, OH44264-0190 USA.

GROUNDBREAKING NEWS150-Year Milestone in 2009While the Gehl founders of old posed with their hot rods, the Gehl Co. leaders of today wouldhave a host of machines to stand beside — telescopic handlers, skid loaders, track loaders,compact excavators, all-wheel-steer loaders, articulated loaders and asphalt pavers.The life expectancy of the average human being isaround 66 years. But the life expectancy of our workis limitless. To thrive in business for 150 years (whichhappens to be the life expectancy of the bowhead whale,the longest living mammal) takes product innovation,sound business decisions, strong leadership and firstclasscustomer service; most of all, it takes dedicatedemployees and dealers.The Gehl Co. history began in 1859 in a blacksmithshop in a small Wisconsin community located at thewesterly bend of the Milwaukee River. Since then, GehlCo. has been led by three generations of Gehl familymembers and still operates in the same Midwesterntown where it began 150 years ago.Beginning with the development of agricultural implementsfor small farms, a bestseller was created in 1880and called the Hexelbank Ensilage Cutter — a predecessorto the modern forage harvester. John W. Gehl acquiredthe business in 1902, becoming the first Gehlfamily member to lead the implement company. A secondgeneration of Gehl brothers took control of the businessin the 1930s. In the 1940s, the Gehl brothers developedinnovative new agricultural products, including fieldforage harvesters, self-propelled forage harvesters, multiple-rowcrop attachments and portable feedmakers.In 1973, Gehl began manufacturing skid loaders foragricultural customers, necessitating a second manufacturingplant, in Madison, S.D. The popularity of thesemachines grew quickly into the expanding constructionmarkets, as well as the European market. Today GehlCo. has established a reputation for having one of thehighest quality skid loaders in the market.A third-generation Gehl, William D. Gehl, began managingthe company in 1992. Under his leadership thecompany diversified into multiple markets world-wide,including the acquisition of Mustang Mfg. in 1997.Gehl began manufacturing more compact equipmentthan ever before, advancing technology throughout alltheir product lines. Gehl Co.’s success after the early1990s and into the first decade of the twenty-first centurywas attributed to the vision of William Gehl, thehard work of Gehl employees and the dedicated worldwidedealer network. “Despite changes in technologyand an ever-expanding product line, Gehl has remainedtrue to its reputation for ingenuity, innovation and reliability,”said William Gehl, CEO and Board Chairman.8 Utility Contractor | February 2009

GROUNDBREAKING NEWSNavistar and Ford Reach New BusinessAgreementFor almost three decades, Navistar has been a long time supplierfor Ford’s marquee brand of trucks, a relationship that hasbenefited both companies in big ways. But that business arrangementhas definitely had its highs and lows over the years.It’s been particularly rocky of late.Navistar International Corp. has been locked in a legal feud withFord Motor Co. over its longstanding diesel-engine supply contract— a dispute that looked to have no end in sight — until now. In2001, Navistar formed a joint venture with Ford to manufacturemedium-duty trucks and parts including diesel engines for bothparent companies. The new company is called Blue Diamond TruckCo. and it operates in the Navistar plant in Escobedo, Mexico.In 2007, Navistar International Corp. filed a lawsuit againstFord Motor Co. for breach of contract relating to a diesel enginecontract involving its Ford F-150 pickup truck. The suitcontended that Ford was developing a 4.4-liter diesel enginefor production in North America by late 2009 or 2010 — orpossibly earlier — intending to produce the engine itself for usein the F-150 and possibly other vehicles. The suit said Fordcould not do that without violating its contract with Navistar.The company has been the exclusive diesel engine supplier forFord’s heavy-duty pickup trucks since 1979.But in January, the two companies decided to settle theirdifferences.“Navistar and Ford benefitted from a successful partnershipthat provided value to both companies for nearly three decades.However, it’s in our best interests to resolve our conflict andcontinue our relationship with each other in other areas,” saidDan Ustian, Navistar Chairman, President and CEO.Ford Motor Co. and Navistar International Corp. reachedan agreement to restructure their ongoing business relationshipand settle all existing litigation between the companies.As a result of the agreement, the companies willend their current diesel engine supply agreement effectiveDec. 31, 2009. Navistar’s contract to supply diesel enginesfor Ford’s heavy-duty pickups had been slated to expire atthe end of 2012.However, the companies will continue to collaborate on arange of initiatives, including their existing Blue Diamond Truck.Navistar will acquire additional equity in the Blue Diamond jointventures, which will continue to offer dealers and customersF-650 and F-750 medium duty trucks, as well as parts supportfor a variety of Ford products, including Ford’s PowerStroke Diesel-equippedtrucks. Ford and Navistar also will continue theirdiesel engine supply relationship in South America. As a result ofthe agreement, Ford will make a payment to Navistar.February 2009 | Utility Contractor 9

GROUNDBREAKING NEWSCalling for Competitors — 2009 AEMConstruction ChallengeUnemployment is worse than it’s been in years, butin the not-too-distant future, construction companiescould be seeking well-trained and motivated workers tofill the millions of jobs related to the manufacture anduse of construction and other off-road equipment. Highschool students across the country now have an opportunityto learn about these careers through the Associationof Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) Construction Challengeteen competition.The AEM Construction Challenge, a creative problem solvingprogram in its second year, is introducing students acrossthe country to the skills they could be using on the jobsitein the coming years as federal and state governments seek tofund badly needed infrastructure projects through an economicstimulus package and other funding mechanisms.On February 7 more than 230 student teams participatedin 15 regional qualifying rallies — including one in Toronto —designed to engage teens through a hands-on, educational experienceand to introduce them to careers as engineers, equipmenttechnicians and manufacturing professionals.AEM sponsors the Construction Challenge in partnershipwith the Destination ImagiNation nonprofit organization.The Challenge offers an opportunity for students, teachers,parents and community leaders to learn more about availableindustry careers and how critical off-road equipment is tocreating and maintaining the high quality of life enjoyed inEurope and North America as well as by increasing numbersin the developing world.The February 7 regional rallies were scheduled for Atlanta,Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Mo.,Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Enid, Okla., Philadelphia, Phoenix,Sacramento, Calif., Seattle and Toronto, Ontario.Even before the renewed focus on rebuilding infrastructure,the construction industry was concerned about meetingthe demand fortrained workersas a large portionof its currentworkforce entersretirement. Withthe federal stimulusplan designedto add even morejobs, the industryhopes to encourageyoung peopleto pursue jobs inconstruction.“The ConstructionChallengewas created asa platform toeducate studentsLast year, The Construction Challengebrought together more than 50 studentteams to compete at the event heldduring CONEXPO last March at the LasVegas Convention Center.and the public about rewarding, interesting and lucrativecareer opportunities. We want to attract even moreyoung people to help solve our problems with innovativeand creative ideas,” said Dennis Slater, President of AEM.“While our nation’s leaders are planning for the creation ofmillions of jobs, we are focused on what we can do to helpdevelop this growing skilled workforce.”Students who participated in the Construction Challengerallies learned about careers related to the equipment manufacturingindustry, which includes more than 2,000 companiesmanufacturing, selling or operating equipment.“The success of the stimulus package, the rebuilding of ourinfrastructure and the training of millions of workers will be directlyrelated to the success of future generations of Americans,”said Slater. “The Construction Challenge is one way our industryis helping prepare and invest in that future. We also hopeeveryone has a little fun and gets inspired along the way.”The Bio-Fuel BiographyBio-fuel is a big buzz word, with engines,from truck and machine manufacturersalike, taking anywhere from a B5 toB100. But what exactly is Bio-fuel? How isit made? What’s all the buzz about? IowaBiodiesel producer Riksch BioFuels hascreated a new Web site — blogging allabout biofuels.The site, rikschbiofuels.com, which includesbasic definitions and advice forequipment owners and operators interestedin alternative fuels, was developedby Des Moines-based Web consulting firmPurple Wren.In addition to information on where tofind and how to use biodiesel, the site hosts10 Utility Contractor | February 2009the RB Blog, which allows users to subscribefor e-mail delivery of national trend analysisand tips on putting biodiesel to work.“Our goal is to make learning about alternativefuels as simple as possible forour customers and the general public,”said Don Miksch, Riksch BioFuels VicePresident and CFO. “We look forward tointeracting with people on the blog and tosharing what we have learned so that thiscommunity of people passionate about thepotential of biofuels can grow.”The founders of Riksch BioFuels havea deep agricultural background and a historyof producing biodiesel. Recognizingthe need for a biodiesel production facilityin southeast Iowa, colleagues Neil Richand Don Miksch formed Riksch BioFuelson April 4, 2005. The company producesand distributes several products, includingRB100, RB99 and RB8000.

“The Big Show”NUCA Faces Down Country’sEconomic Woes at Utility Construction EXPO ‘09A calm desert wind kicks up the dry dust. The lone contractor’sgaze piercing the haze as he stares down the Man in Black.Riding from town to town, the mysterious man leaves a trail ofjob shortages and a crippled economy. Tall and lean, our heroiccontractor is hungry for work and ready to collect the bounty onthe Man in Black. The contractor’s Peacemaker isn’t a Colt — it’sthe knowledge and experience gained from Utility ConstructionEXPO ‘09 “The Big Show.”From March 4 to 6, contractors from all over the country willgather in Phoenix to see the latest steel steeds from major manufacturerslike John Deere, Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, Case,Ditch Witch, Volvo, Vermeer and manymore, hear speakers like George Hedley’s“The Economy is Slower — NowWhat? 18 Shots You Must Take Now”presentation and talk with other NUCAmembers about their latest challenges,successes and what’s to come in ‘09.Having the right equipment, technologies,products and services canmake any job easier, but it doesn’tguarantee that everything will runsmoothly. For that, EXPO ’09 is offeringeducational sessions that willhelp contractors make informedbusiness decisions — whether it involvespurchasing equipment, trainingoperators or saving on fuel.In the interest of giving EXPO exhibitorsadditional forums where theycan share their expertise and experiencewith utility contractors, NUCAis having them lead this year’s sessions.As always, there will be celebrityspeakers to make attendees thinkabout their lives and businesses in new ways. First on theagenda will be John Powers — television personality, Broadwayproducer, professor, author and motivational consultant.Friday’s keynote address will be given by none otherthan NFL superstar and stroke survivor Tedy Bruschi of theNew England Patriots.In addition to covering what contractors need to know, EXPO’09 will cover whom they need to know with social events thatprovide opportunities for both networking and fun, includingthe opening scholarship golf tournament, Welcome Reception,Auction and Presidents’ Ball.16 Utility Contractor | February 2009

TUESDAY, MARCH 3PRE-EXPO ACTIVITIES7 - 11 amCOMMITTEE MEETINGSschedule of events12:30 shotgun startNUCA SCHOLARSHIPGOLF TOURNAMENTOcotillo Golf ClubManaged by Troon Golf, Ocotillo Golf Resort adheres to thehighest standards of course conditions and customer service,creating an incredibleexperience at what hasbecome known as oneof Arizona’s finest dailyfeefacilities. Designedby Ted Robinson, OcotilloGolf Resort opened in1986 and quickly gainedrecognition as a 4 Star facility anda “Must Place to Play” byGolf Digest Magazine. A traditional-style course, Ocotillo GolfResort’s lush fairways, cascading waterfalls and colorful floraoffer a unique contrast to the desert landscaped courses thatpermeate the Valley. The water features are both beautiful anddramatic and are an integral part of Robinson’s vision. Thelayout offers generous fairways and landing areas, creatingbirdie opportunities for golfers who think their way aroundthe course. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the NUCAFoundation for Education and Research scholarship programs.Separate registration required.7 - 9 pmWELCOME RECEPTIONThe Arizona Science CenterSponsored by CaterpillarWelcome to Phoenix! The Arizona Science Center providesexploration, education and entertainment for all ages. Nestledin the picturesque setting of Heritage and Science Park, theScience Center is a unique landmark designed by renownedarchitect Antoine Predock. The combination of ramps, hallways,galleries, and terraces in this 140,000-squarefootbuilding creates an intriguing environment of investigationand discovery. The Science Center is a short walk from theSheraton Phoenix. Please help us kick off Utility ConstructionEXPO ’09! Join your friends and colleagues for a wonderfulevening of networking and exploration.WEDNESDAY, MARCH 48 - 9:30 amOPENING KEYNOTE BREAKFAST,FEATURING JOHN POWERSSponsored by CaseConstruction EquipmentThe winner of two Emmys for hiswork in television, John Powerscreated and hosted a PBSseries on how to be an effectivepublic speaker and has beena guest on hundreds of radioand television shows, includingOprah and Today. Powers’business background includescreating and producing his ownmusical — Do Black Patent Leather er Shoes Really ReflectUp? — and founding the Powers of MotivationInstitute. He is the author of numerous books, includingthe bestselling novel The Junk-Drawer Corner-Store Front-Porch Blues. In the spring of 2007, the publishers of theChicken Soup for the Soul series released Powers’ latestbook, Odditude: Finding the Passion for Who You Are andWhat You Do. The Keynote Breakfast will also include thepresentation of NUCA’s Associate of the Year award.9:30 am - 12 pmEXHIBIT HALL GRAND OPENINGThe Valley of the Sun plays host to the only undergroundutility it construction show in America. The exhibit hall atUtility it Construction EXPO ’09 The Big Show will featurean impressive display of heavy construction equipment,as well as the latest technologies, products and servicesbeing offered by the leading manufacturers and suppliers.And don’t miss out on the opportunity to win excitinggiveaways each day that the exhibit hall is open.12:30 - 1:30 pmEDUCATIONSESSIONSUnderstanding Equipment Spec SheetsProperly interpreting factory information can be of great help18Utility ityContractor | February 2009

in avoiding the miss-sizing or misapplication of equipmentand therefore can save contractors money. Learn to appreciatethe details behind the “numbers” so you can compareApples and Apples, not Apples and Oranges.Safety Standards and Best Practices Shaping theUtility Construction IndustryThe sheer volume of today’s safety standards and regulations ismind-boggling and can quickly take a contractor’s mind off themost important thing — making jobsites safer for employees.Learn from legal experts about best practices for compliancewithout losing track of the reality of the jobsite.Machine Control and TelematicsSolutionsWireless communication to more effectivelymanage construction equipmentoperations is rapidly gaining market acceptance.Knowing more about wheremachines are located, how they are beingused and the service required onthem provides opportunities to increaseutilization, more effectively manageequipment maintenance and automatebilling. Hear equipment experts discussthis technology and share key insightsto even greater operating efficiency.1:45 - 2:45 pmMeeting Future EmissionStandardsThis session reviews current emission regulationsand the industry’s approach to meetingTier 4 standards. Come to learn moreabout alternative fuel options (e.g., biodiesel)as well as the pros and cons of otheremerging nontraditional energy sources.Trenchless TechnologyTrenchless pipelaying has become popularwith utility contractors in recent years.Hear executives from major trenchlessequipment manufacturing companies —TT Technologies, Utilicor Technologies andBarbco Inc. — talk about their art, new technologiesand market expectations.Red-Hot Legal IssuesOur economy is churning and legal issuesthat directly affect contractors are swingingbroadly right along with it. New lawsare being written and new regulations arecoming down. Hear construction industrylawyers talk about relevant red-hot legal issues,including immigration law and contractingin a uncertain economy, and getyour questions answered.February 2009 | Utility Contractor 19

2:45 - 5 pmEXHIBIT HALL OPEN7:00 pmNUCA AUCTION“PAINT THE TOWN RED!”Co-Sponsored by Komatsu America and RitchieBros. Auctioneers.Anyone who has attended a NUCA Auction knows that it’snot only an important source of funding for the association’seducational programs and lobbying efforts, but alsotremendous fun. This year, please join us for some goodfood and good times as we Paint the Town Red! What’sup for bid in both silent and live auctions ranges from theridiculous (Three Stooges tie) to the sublime (exotic vacations)with all sorts of can’t-miss, must-have items somewherein between. If you are interested in donating itemsor cash in support of NUCA’s vital initiatives, call NUCA at(800) 662- 6822.THURSDAY, MARCH 57:30 - 9:30 amCONTINENTAL BREAKFASTSponsored by CNA Insurance.Served outside the education session rooms.8 - 9 amEDUCATION SESSIONSSaving on Fuel and LubricantsFuel costs are killing contractors, but there are remarkably effective,commonsense ways to combat the trend. Hear tips fromthe manufacturers who design the power trains in your equipmentabout economizing without sacrificing performance.Turning Novice Operators into Skilled OperatorsHear from equipment manufacturers about exciting newinitiatives and tools for world-class operator training, includingportable virtual-simulation technologies to simulate realworldtasks.Contractors Speak to ManufacturersA panel of utility contractors will hold forth on a varietyof topics related to equipment manufacturers, including:what they expect from manufacturers and dealers; whycontractors tend to favor one brand or dealer over others;equipment and technologies that contractors wantto see on the market; and what contractors wish equipmentsalesmen knew about their business.9:15 - 10:15 amEvaluating Condition, Value and Life ofConstruction EquipmentKnowing “when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em” verymuch affects profitability. Manufacturers employ veryspecific parameters for determining machine life andevaluating wear. Contractors that understand propertechniques for evaluatingtheir equipmentare way aheadof the game. Equipmentmanufacturerswill share their evaluationcriteria in thisinformative session.Insurance and Bondingin a ChangingConstruction WorldMore than ever, contractorsscramblingfor business needto be mindful of thebasics of properlyinsuring and bonding jobs ina litigious society andcreasingly regulated construction world. Hear from ain-highly respected insurance industry expert and shareyour thoughts.Economic Outlook ForumNorth America’s economy is changing more rapidly nowthan in any other decade due to rising energy prices,a falling dollar, the sub-prime mortgage melt-down andother factors. This forum will examine where it is allheading, what can be done and how we plan for 2009and beyond.10 am - 1 pmEXHIBIT HALL OPEN1 - 2 pmEDUCATION SESSIONSFuture Construction Equipment TechnologiesThe future is now. Learn how some of the latest innovationsin equipment technology are changing the way youdo business now and into the future.Equipment Financing OptionsWith revenues lower and margins getting squeezed all thetime, how you finance new and used equipment can makea big difference in your profit and loss. Manufacturerswork hard to provide solutions to support their customers.Come and hear the people who make your equipmenttell you about financing options that help contractors avoidexpensive pitfalls.Condition-Based MaintenanceCondition-based maintenance (CBM) is an approachthat utilizing a set of analytical tools that optimize notonly the life of components and lubricants, but alsoyour maintenance budget. Learn how correct interpretationof “messages” from your machines can makethe difference between poor performance and exceptionaluptime.20 Utility Contractor | February 2009

2:15 - 3:15 pmEquipment Manufacturers Speak to Contractorsabout Manufacturing, Supply and DistributionLearn from the upstream end of the equipment SupplyChain. How does it work and where do you fit in? Whatgoes into the manufacture, distribution and support ofthe equipment you buy? More importantly, how doesit affect your business and how can you make it workfor you?Rigging & Materials Handling SafetyContractors that buy expensive equipment and lay expensivepipe often trip up by not using proper slinging,handling and transport means or not investing inup-to-date equipment and training for handling pipe.Damaged pipe takes awayprofitability and makesfor an unsafe workplace.Hear what some pipe distributorswant you to knowabout how to handle theirproducts.FRIDAY, MARCH 68 - 9:30 amKEYNOTE BREAKFAST, FEATURINGNFL SUPERSTAR, TEDY BRUSCHISponsored by John Deere/HitachiIt has been said that Tedy Bruschi’slife story is a lesson in the rewards ofhard work, perseverance and courage.A star linebacker and defensive leaderon the New England Patriots’ three-timeSuper Bowl championship team,he suffered a stroke in February2005 at the age of 31. After surgery,he began the hard work of rehabilitationand recovery, and eight monthsMaking Sense of StandardizedContractDocuments: What’s BestFor You?Standards developing organizations(SDOs) that produceand standardize consensusdocuments for theutility construction industryare in a tug of war over standardizingdocuments thatyou use for your protection.Every contractor needs tounderstand the contractingtemplates available and howthese are changing to meetnew legal and regulatory requirements.3 - 5 pmEXHIBIT HALLOPENTHURSDAY EVENING ISFREE!By popular request, we haveleft this evening wide openfor you to network with colleagues,take in a fine restaurantand explore the arts,culture, and many places ofentertainment right at yourfingertips in the Valley ofthe Sun.February 2009 | Utility Contractor 21

later walked back onto the football fieldand shared the NFL’s 2005 ComebackPlayer of the Year Award with Carolina’sSteve Smith. Now preparing to start his11th season with the Patriots, Bruschihas also become a spokesman for theAmerican Stroke Association. And, withMichael Holley, an American televisionand radio sports commentator and writer,he wrote the book Never Give Up,which relates the inspiring story of hisstroke, recovery and remarkable returnto football.9:30 am - 12 pmEXHIBIT HALL OPENEDUCATION SESSIONS12:30 - 1:30 pmCombating Equipment TheftConstruction site equipment theft is a nationwide problemthat costs the U.S. economy more than $1 billiona year, and that does not include project interruptioncosts. This seminar provides critical information toequipment owners, worksite managers and insurersabout: why construction site equipment theft is sowidespread; the true cost of equipment theft to equipmentowners; steps that can be takento combat the problem; why, howand what thieves are stealing; costeffectivemeasures to ensure thatyou are not thieves’ next target; theimportance of information sharing;and new security technologies forvarying situations.6:30 pmPRESIDENTS’ BANQUET“A Starry Night”A dark night sky hung with brilliant stars is the magicaltheme of this year’s Presidents’ Banquet. Don your elegantbest (black tie optional) and join us for an evening filledto the brim with wonderful food, live music and dancingunder a canopy of stars. The festivities also include thepresentation of NUCA’s Ditchdigger of the Year award,the swearing in of new officers and a few words from theassociation’s outgoing and incoming presidents.The Business of PoliticalInvolvementContractors that avoid the politicaland regulatory process are flyingblind. And it’s not all in Washington.Everything — taxation, employmentregulations, government bids,employee benefits, contracting law,etc. — is the result of political action.Hear NUCA lobbyists explain the politicallandscape and why you shouldbecome politically engaged.1:45 - 3:00 pmBOARD OF DIRECTORSMEETINGOpen to all NUCA members. Featuringkeynote speaker George Hedley’s presentation“The Economy is Slow...NowWhat?”February 2009 | Utility Contractor 23

Water, Water Everywhereand Not a Drop to DrinkStaying Dry When Groundwater Infiltrates the JobsiteBy Tom MinihanSuch is the cry of many contractors when groundwaterhalts a construction job or even threatens bankruptcyof the project. Whether expected or unexpected,groundwater on a construction project can becomethe single largest cash drain of the project, regardless of whetherthe project is a pipeline or a building. The secret weapons inthe contractor’s groundwater-fighting arsenal are respect, informationand contingency planning.As an estimator, project engineer, project manager, superintendentor foreman, you must know and respect the enemy.Groundwater is not the same as the sparkling glass of water youguzzled down on the jobsite or the hot, soothing water in yourmorning shower. Underground water takes on a much differentpersonality and in many cases multiple personalities. Lackof respect for it — it’s only water, how hard can it be to handle— can shut down the project and has put many contractors outof business. Water contained in the soil acts more like molassesthan the water in a lake or river. The soils through which thewater moves — the clays, silts, sands, gravels, coquina, cobblesand boulders — determine how much water threatens the excavation,how it will approach the site, how it will enter theexcavation and what it will carry with it .There are several general terms relating to groundwater personalitiesthat must be understood:Perched water sits on top of clay layers, or hard pans ofcompacted mineral deposits and can have dry soil underneathit.Uplift pressure is the nature of groundwater to seek itsoriginal water table level, which generates an upward pressure.The pressure can destabilize the soil, create boils and causesettlement and subsidence.Permeability is the ability of the soil to pass water in feetper minute or feet per year. In clays water travels in feet peryear whereas in gravels water can travel in feet per minute.Some soils like silt will retain water and act like jello.A recharge source is a reservoir of water that can releasewater to the jobsite area once dewatering has begun. The rechargesource is usually obvious such as a lake, stream or riverbut can be underground in gravel or fractured bedrock deposits.The distance the recharge source is from the jobsite is veryimportant but even sources several thousand feet away can bea hazard. Remember also that recharge sources can be contaminated.Once you start dewatering your site the groundwater inthe recharge source can move toward your location and bringthe contaminants with it.26 Utility Contractor | February 2009

of shell or gravel or coarse sand in relationshipto the groundwater? Where is thebedrock, the coquina or the prehistoricocean bottom? And are there cobbles orboulders present? Unexpectedly findingboulders the size of a Volkswagen andweighing several tons can ruin your dayparticularly if you’re dragging a trench boxor driving sheeting.One valuable technique in gatheringsoils information that the owner willprobably not commission is taking continuoussplit-spoon soil samples. That islogging the soil types from the top of theground to at least 15 ft below the deepestexcavation continuously withoutmissing an inch. Continuous sampling,at least in one boring, will identify soiltypes and soil profiles like silt layers ontop of clay or seams of gravel above thebottom of the excavation that could devastatea job. Typically, the driller doingowner-commissioned soil borings maynot record hitting cobbles or boulders. Ifit doesn’t come up in his auger it’s not hisproblem. Contractor-commissioned soilboring puts information-gathering controlin the hands of the contractor. Fivethousand dollars up front could save millionswhen it’s too late in the project toturn back due to groundwater problemsand added dewatering costs. Going inwith a dewatering system after the problemis uncovered is much more costlythan installing a system before the site ischanged and may be impossible.Digging test holes with an excavator isa common practice to gather soil informationand gives valuable informationon how the dirt digs. However, it is importantto recognize that this technique islimited to reaching to the top of the watertable or just below it and won’t exposethe soil structures and their groundwatercharacteristics below the excavation.After biting the bullet on boring andtest dig expenses the contractor canmake a more confident decision onwhether to handle groundwater beforeit enters the excavation or after. In thisarticle we won’t discuss handling thegroundwater after it enters the excavation,only before.Smooth SailingGroundwater management offers amyriad of techniques. Depending onthe soils information gathered aboveThe Jobsite AlbatrossGroundwater management falls intoone of two major categories — handlingthe groundwater before it enters the excavationor handling it after it enters theexcavation. The decision to do one, theother or both is the most important decisionthe contractor will make for his orher project and requires diligent investigationof the jobsite soil conditions. Soilborings are invaluable as a risk managementtool in today’s economy and shouldbe done regardless of whether the projectowner has provided a soils report ornot. Unfortunately, owners don’t commissionsoils investigation reports togather information on how to constructthe job, only to determine how to designthe structure. Therefore, the idiosyncrasiesof the groundwater environment arenot given priority.The contractor needs to know where thelenses of clay and hardpan are and what issitting on top of them. Where are layersFebruary 2009 | Utility Contractor 27

some sites can employ slurry walls or slurry trenches to greatlyreduce the flow of groundwater into the site. The slurry iscomposed of bentonite clay mixed with the soil in a perimetertrench. Steel sheeting can be a water management tool alsobut is expensive. Active dewatering includes the use of deepwells with submersible pumps on high volume and deep excavationsites, vacuum wellpoints and vacuum wick pointswith geotextile fabric for shallower cuts to 18 ft or less andeductor wells up to 100 ft deep in tight soils or in contaminatedsoils. Trenched under-drain pipe commonly called “sock”can be used for shallow cuts and horizontal wells installed bydirectional drilling and works well for tunnels, highways orrailroad tracks or for sites where above ground encumbrancesare undesirable.When choosing an active dewatering technique for a project,the first thing to remember is that one size doesn’t fit all.The site soil conditions may dictate that you use different techniquesin different parts of the site. Wellpoints are a commondewatering tool but conventional slotted screen wellpoints, i.e.PVC pipe with saw-cut slots, aren’t always the best selection.Nowadays sizing the header manifold piping and using thenew wick points with geotextile filter screening can produce amore efficient and economical dewatering system. This methodcan also produce less turbid discharge water without the needfor sand packing, which makes the environmental engineerhappy. It also reduces or eliminates subsidence and settlementproblems. Excavations with perimeters of up to 1,400 ft usingproperly sized wick point systems can be handled with lessthan 10-hp single-phase electric pumping systems. This can28 Utility Contractor | February 2009greatly reduce dewatering costs over the life of the project.Using inert materials like polyethylene tubing for undergroundrisers and connection piping can offer the option of convertingthe temporary construction dewatering into a permanent systemfor the project owner. Simply abandoning the economicalwick points in place reduces removal expense without creatingan environmental hazard.New “green” pumping systems are in development, includingsystems powered by solar panels and other alternative energysources. Dewatering systems involving fracturing — splittingsilt and clay lenses vertically with continuous sand columns —is also being developed to intercept groundwater in low permeabilitysoils for positive groundwater drainage while maintainingexcavation slope integrity.Piping systems are also advancing. Vari-Use piping, withswivel ball and socket connections, is available to providethe contractor one pipe system that can be used for waterdischarge, vacuum wellpoints and wick points, eductor wellsystems, bypass and sumping systems and deep well systems.Vari-Use pipe allows the contractor to change from one type ofdewatering system to another immediately without changingpiping systems. Made of polyethylene the pipe doesn’t requireany tools to assemble or disassemble and is resilient to abuseand typical jobsite hazards. It can be repaired economically andmodified to fit the job requirements.Dewatering system installation techniques are advancingrapidly. With tracked excavator attachments less labor isrequired to install wells, wellpoints and wick points particularlyin clayey or “boney” soils laden with cobbles andboulders or old constructiondebris. Up to40-ft long deep wellsand eductor wells canbe installed with thesame excavator thecontractor would useto dig an 18-ft deeppipe trench or excavation.The new installationapparatus alsoreduces hazards toworkers thus reducingstrains and sprains andmaking the work environmentmuch safer.The bottom line is,respect Mother Natureand work with her, behumble and informedand don’t take groundwaterfor granted. If youdo, you’ll lose. Choosewisely and get a goodnight’s sleep.The Vari-Use pipe on a wick point job implemented byDewatering Midwest LLC. The one pipe system can beused for water discharge, vacuum wellpoints and wickpoints, eductor well systems, bypass and sumping systemsand deep well systems.Tom Minihan is Vice Presidentwith Griffin DewateringMidwest LLC based inHammond, Ind.

The Art of NegotiationPainting the Perfect Portrait of Contract BiddingBy Brad DawsonIntense conversation, manic offers and worthy opponentsin the bidding circle might, at first, conjureallusions to Sun Tzu’s Chinese masterpiece TheArt of War. But any skilled contract warrior knowsthat the power of negotiation lies not in brute strength,but in subtle, confident strokes of word-play and monetaryoffers, making it more like the patient art of Chinesecalligraphy.Negotiation is not about dominating your opponent.Instead, effective negotiation presumes you are enteringinto a long-term relationship with your counterpart,where constant interaction is necessary to the success ofboth parties. Negotiation is a process where each partywins or, as one contractor put it: “When the deal is done,both parties are a little disappointed.”Much like the fluid brush strokes of a Chinese characterthat reflects a spiritual experience, negotiation isseen in nearly every segment of life. On the businessside, suppliers, customers and employees are all seekingto improve their monetary position. How much moreprofit can a supplier squeeze out of you? For customers,it’s all about getting something for nothing, and employeesinvariably believe they are worth more than theircompetitive wages.Most utility contractors have learned to negotiate throughtrial and error. Negotiation is a primary ingredient to your businesssurvival; yet, apprentice and professional association programsspend little time, if any, teaching the basics. Like manybusiness skills, negotiation is learned on the job and employedwith varying degrees of success. But it takes a focused negotiationartist to apply the delicate strokes on the bidding canvas.Canvas, Brush, Ink(The Art of Organization)Do you know what constitutes a good deal for you?Too often, individuals enter negotiating sessions with asingular driving objective in mind and ignore any otherramifications of a deal. In many cases, they are unawareof the impact of other variables in their decision-makingprocess. In the hands of a keen negotiator, these neophytesare easy prey.Young contractors usually fall victim to this trait when negotiatinga new project. Their objective is to win the job — atany price. Unscrupulous customers, intent on making lowprice the only variable for a project win, use this knowledgeto drive low bids down even further. The young contractorholds firm to his or her singular objective (to win the proj-30 Utility Contractor | February 2009

ect) and ignores any other factors including price, time andliability. While the contractor may win the project, they willeventually lose their firm.The key to preventing this situation is to understandthe various dynamics that impact any deal. Again, for aproject bid, a host of variables comes into play, includingtime frame, delivery dates, quality control, staffing,raw material availability and pricing. When negotiating adeal, your counterpart may want a concession on pricing.What is your counter proposal? How can you accommodateany movement on your price and still ensure a profitabletransaction? The answer revolves around the interplayof the other project dynamics. For example, you maybe able to give a little on price if the project time frameis moved to accommodate a slow period in your firm — aperiod when you will have idle resources.Empathetic Negotiations(The Art of Listening)It is common during complex negotiations to eventuallyreach an impasse where neither party is able to achievemovement. When this occurs, the best solution is to placeyourself in the position of your opponent. This empatheticapproach will help you understand your opponent’s objectives.Once understood, you can modify your negotiatingposition to play up the benefits of your bid inline with youropponent’s objectives.This dilemma typically occurs during employee compensationnegotiations — seldom apleasant experience for the ownerof a contracting firm. By nature, employeesbelieve they are worth morethan their current compensation and,periodically, try to push their advantagewith the owner. Owners, on theother hand, may view employees as anecessary evil — never truly deliveringon the full value of their existingcompensation. Inevitably, battle linesare drawn.Beyond the traditional conversationthat occurs during these sessions(the employee wanting more and theowner not budging), there is a bettersolution. For the employee, ask whatimpact on business revenues canbe realized through improved workhabits. For the owner, determinewhat employee work efforts wouldneed to change to justify an increasein compensation. How can the employeeand owner work together toachieve higher productivity from theemployee that results in higher revenuesfor the company and, accordingly,higher compensation for theemployee?Power Comes from Doing Nothing(The Art of Patience)Silence can be an intimidating negotiating tool. People are uncomfortablewith silence and feel a need to fill the noise void.This is especially true for people negotiating from a position ofweakness. They feel that by filling the communication space witha number of different thoughts, something of value will be unearthed— hopefully changing the mind of the other participant.Another powerful negotiating tool is to walk away. It signifiesthat you are willing to leave the negotiations and kill anypotential deal. The impact on your opponent is immeasurable.It lets them know that any new negotiations will have to beinitiated by them.For contractors, this is an effective tactic when negotiatingsupplier agreements — especially for commodity inventoryitems. Personal supplier relationships have long been an inventorydistribution structure linking manufacturers, contractorsand end-consumers. Unfortunately, the supplier chain has beenbroken. Large-scale box stores (i.e., Home Depot) have takenthe position of being a supplier (and sometimes the contractor).Because of their sheer size, these box stores are able tonegotiate pricing agreements with manufacturers that are farmore favorable than local supply houses.Contractors, like any consumer, are price conscious.Because there are alternatives to the local supply house, contractorscan use the simple tactic of walking away to signifytheir interest in pursuing other supplier options. Suppliers,frantic to hold on to their customer base, will nearly alwaysOffice technology is one area where many contractors feel they have inadequateknowledge to make an effective decision. For instance, assume you are forced to buya new accounting system for your business. Like any good consumer, you start theprocess by “Googling” accounting systems for contractors.February 2009 | Utility Contractor 31

The handshake is the international symbol of success. To achieve this goal, keep your objective clear by planning a counterproposal to a lower-priced bid and know when to utilize silence to make a point in conversation.seek to modify their pricing structure. The power of action,not words, makes the difference.Tactical Dispositions(The Art of Relationships)On occasion, you may not have enough knowledge to formulatea strong negotiating position. For example, you may betrying to enter a new market, develop a new supplier relationshipor hire for a new employee position, leaving you withoutenough facts to understand what parameters should be expected.How do you gain knowledge quickly and not get bested in yournegotiating session?Obviously, relationships with other contractors may be the firststop in your education process. Professional associations providea good backdrop for establishing and maintaining relationshipswith your peers and, in most cases, serve as a useful forum forleveraging their personal experiences. In addition, your peers aretypically willing to share their knowledge to help you overcomean obstacle. However, let’s say you are not a member of a contractingassociation, and you are forced to educate yourself insome other way. When this occurs, another option is to “testdrive” the deal, walking through the transaction with real vendorsand using the experience to gain value.Office technology is one area where many contractors feel theyhave inadequate knowledge to make an effective decision. Forinstance, assume you are forced to buy a new accounting systemfor your business. Like any good consumer, you start the processby “Googling” accounting systems for contractors. The result —more than 2 million hits and approximately 40 to 50 potentialaccounting systems that theoretically could meet your needs.In this situation, a “test drive” is recommended. Invite a numberof accounting system vendors (no more than five) to youroffice for a pitch demonstration. At the end of their demonstrations,ask them what variables you should use to evaluateaccounting systems. After listening to several vendors, a list ofcommon variables will appear (i.e., auditability, ease of upgrading,maintenance, etc.). These variables now constitute your dealcomponents, allowing you to more effectively make an informeddecision. You are now in a position to negotiate!Next, begin the accounting system acquisition process all overagain. This time, you can review a broader range of system alternativesand more quickly eliminate vendors from further considerationusing the information gleaned during your “test drive.”Congratulations — you are now a more informed consumer witha stronger negotiating platform.Negotiation, for the most part, is an untaught skill — somethingthat most of us have to learn on the job. When done correctly, negotiationis an art form — two skilled artists working to find a commonground where both can watch their project vision come to life. It isreally spellbinding to watch the very best work their craft.Brad Dawson is the managing director of LTV Dynamics and hasover 27 years of management consulting experience. He is a frequentlecturer to international entrepreneurial businesses and has clientsin U.S., Russia, China, Mongolia and Latvia. He can be reached atBLDawson@LTVdynamics.com.32 Utility Contractor | February 2009

Hopping on the Auger Boring BandwagonBy Rob FosterTunneling through the darkness, diving deeper into theearth, auger boring is the process of simultaneouslyjacking casing through the earth while removing spoilsinside the encasement by means of a rotating flightauger and incorporating the use of a track mounted machine.Auger boring lends itself to many applications, including water,sewer, gas lines, drainage systems, communication cabling andother forms of utilities. In today’s financially conscious world,auger boring is an economical approach when compared withsuch applications like microtunneling or trenching.The machine must be savvy in having the technologicaldesign and engineered power to tackle the demands of anypressing needs of the job. Aside from superior horsepower,rugged steel-strength construction and state-of-the-art operatingcontrol and gauge monitoring systems, auger boringmachines have a nomenclature that tells the contractor whatit can do. The first number or range of numbers in a machinename, 48/54 for example, means that the master pusher orthe cylinder end of the machine is a 48-in. diameter, but34 Utility Contractor | February 2009can be adapted up to a maximum casing diameter of 54 in.The casing diameter for almost all auger boring machinescan be sized down to the smallest casing diameter of 12 in,regardless of the make or model. Today’s manufacturers arealso developing machines that can work with larger diameterproduct — from 84 to 96 in. — which can be installedthrough the use of like-sized machines. Work for machinesof this size has been historically reserved for microtunneling,but current financial constraints are giving auger boringa chance to show its wherewithal in this area.Adapting to size is important to the machine’s versatility, so theuse of adapters both on the master push and at the front end ofthe track. This permits the casing adapter to be self-aligning, asthe inside surface of the strut is tapered to ensure that the productcasing centers itself making this a far more efficient productin allowing increased auger boring precision.The second part of machine nomenclature would be a numbersuch as 900, which is the rating for the maximum poundsof thrust available when multiplied by 1,000. The amount of

thrust is important, so that the contractor can match the productsize and construction with the length of the bore to ensurethat the machine can push the entire amount of productthrough the bore hole. So in total the machine would be named48/54-900.Safety is always a concern in any working situation, but contemporarymachines usually are of a low center line and widestance, which prevents rollover during operation. Some machinesalso have split machine frames — a feature that allowsthe unit to be separated into sections to accommodate lighterand faster lifts into and out of the bore pit and aids the operatorin being able to facilitate better and safer machine positioning.Certain manufacturers also have taken the basic concept ofauger boring machinery with variations of fast return systems,which can provide up to 10,000 lbs of additional push pull athigh speed and create no dogging or winching during retractas the system engages directly to the machine track. This alsocreates easier machine operation in challenging work climatesor conditions.The bore does not start when the initial bore hole is made,but at site preparation. Knowing the size and makeup ofthe pit is hypercritical because both play important rolesin the outcome of the job. The bore pit size will vary dependingon factors involving the size of the product casing, the physicaldimension of the machine and the length and width of the machinetrack. The depth of the pit is determined by the pre-plannedengineering for the percent of the grade of the product beinginstalled. The sidewall construction of the pit would consist of eithera shored structure, meaning that a concrete or steel fabricationis placed to provide firm skirting to minimize the chance ofhaving a sidewall collapse. The other option is to have a sloped pit,meaning that the dirt is excavated in an angled manner. Either isused depending on the physical ground considerations and infrastructuresuch as roads or railways that may be within the vicinityof the working area.The base of the pit should be constructed with rock, concreteor hard pan materials, which provide the machine with a stoutworking platform, but also serve to level the bore path. If the baseis not level, the total production of the bore could be adversely effected,meaning that the line and grade of the product would notbe achieved. Many other considerations are made, but these arevital to any auger boring operation.Besides the machine and site preparation, there are othertechnologies and equipment that also aid the process.Modern equipment that is relevant to the practice of augerboring includes:• Water leveling devices that work on the principals of natureare a must-have when maintaining proper auger boring lineand grade. Such equipment is designed on the concept thatwater seeks its own level and uses a sensing head that iswelded from the front of the lead product casing and connectedto a graduated cylinder. The water level of the cylinderindicates the pitch of the casing. With this knowledge,any driller can make corrections to the grade of the bore.February 2009 | Utility Contractor 35

• Bentonite mixing systems deliver the bentonite slurry to thelead casing under pressure to reduce friction. The systemalso lubricates and supports the pipe while penetrating thesoil, assures a better grade, improves thrust capabilities, retardssloughing and cave-ins, extends equipment life andspeeds up jacking operation.• Steering knuckles make possible the ability to make adjustmentsto the pitch of the steering head and grade ofthe bore.Appropriate tooling is also imperative. The use of the alwayspresent auger sections should be manufactured with a highgradeplate and mild steel tubing that will rotate and returnspoil through the casing back to the auger boring machine andout through the spoil removal door. Most auger sections arealso sized to fit inside product casing with at least a 1 1/2-in.wall thickness.Ground conditions will determine the type of cutting headthat is being employed. For example, more and more augerboring is being done through hard rock, which requires specialdisc cutter heads that use smooth steel discs to rotate throughthe rock, cut, return the spoils through the auger section andsucceed in formations up to 35,000 psi.There are also a variety of versatile and field proven cutterdesigns, which are independently identified for bores throughsoft rock formations, harp pan, shale, gravel, small bouldersand other similar intrusive ground.Environmental factors are present now more than ever becausethe world is more sensitive to protecting both humanand natural habitats. One critical area to manufacturers is theTier III- compliant diesel engines requirement, which calls forengines to run cleaner with fewer emissions than prior models.Users should review their own governmental restrictions andcontact manufacturers regarding this and other environmentalprotection practices.The modern day tried-and-true auger boring methodseems to be testing the length of the total bore where thedistance may eclipse 500 ft or greater. Such distances arepossible and economical, making auger boring a must-havechoice when considering a utility or underground technologyapplication.Safety is always a concern in any working situation, butcontemporary machines usually are of a low centerline andwide stance, which prevents rollover during operation.36 Utility Contractor | February 2009

The total price of the auger boring machinewhen coupled with the necessary tooling, ancillaryequipment and manpower will still be a fractionof the price when compared with the basicsix- or seven-figure price tag that just the basemodel for equipment of the previously describedapplications would cost a contractor. This is veryimportant when considering that in many areasof the urban United States there are aged utilitysystems that need to be replaced, especiallythrough new development of retail and commercialproperties, requiring every day infrastructure.Auger boring is also becoming a more and moresought after practice in developing or economicallyestablished countries that either for the firsttime are creating infrastructure due to populationdemands or are facing some of the same criticalscenarios as the United States.None of the above is possible without the realizationthat auger boring is a complicated process that iscoordinated through a careful balance of human patience,knowledge and experience. And that requiresthe harnessing machine technology, which creates acareful marriage that walks the edge of jobsite successor failure.The bore does not start when theinitial bore hole is made, but atsite preparation. The bore pit sizewill vary depending on factorsinvolving the size of the productcasing, the physical dimension ofthe machine and the length andwidth of the machine track.Rob Foster is the Marketing Manager for American AugersInc., based in West Salem, Ohio.February 2009 | Utility Contractor 37

INSIDE WASHINGTONThe New Congress andEconomic RecoveryBy Eben WymanEditor’s Note: The following article on economic stimulus legislationwas written in late January to meet publishing and distributiondeadlines. As many of you know, the legislation has been a fast-movingtarget. For the events as they unfolded, NUCA’s important role inthe process and the current status of the legislation, visit the NUCAWeb site and review the association’s Economic Stimulus Update.As this issue of Utility Contractor was about to go topress, Barack Obama had just been sworn in as the44th President of the United States. When he alludedto the seriousness of the economic problems facingthe country in his inaugural address on January 20, he no doubthad the devastating numbers released the previous month by theU.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) inmind. That report revealed that 1.4 million construction workerswere out of work, bringing the unemployment rate for the constructionindustry to more than 15 percent. In December alone,101,000 construction jobs were lost, marking the 18th consecutivemonth of such loss. In all, 893,000 construction jobs hadbeen lost since the start of 2007.When the December report was released, economic stimuluslegislation was already considered a national priority, with thenPresident-elect Obama and like-minded members of Congressrepeatedly calling for quick action on a huge economic recoverybill. What follows is an overview of what was on the table aweek after Obama took office.Congress Puts Proposals on the TableIn mid-January, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)outlined an $825 billion economic stimulus package that wasscheduled to be marked up in several House committees thelast week of that month. According to an executive summaryof the measure, Pelosi said: “To build a 21st century economy,we must engage contractors across the nation to create jobsrebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, modernize publicbuildings and put people to work cleaning our air, water andland.” The proposal included $19 billion for clean water, floodcontrol and environmental restoration investments and $30billion for highway and bridge construction, as well as severalother provisions that would benefit the underground utilityconstruction industry.38 Utility Contractor | February 2009Soon after, the Senate dropped its own bill, and thankfully,most of the same provisions of interest were included, althoughsome of the funding levels had been adjusted. Although legislationis a work in progress until it goes to the president’s desk, atpress time NUCA was actively working to ensure that the followingprovisions were included and with significant investment:• the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fundprograms to help communities upgrade wastewater treatmentand drinking water infrastructure;• grants and loans to help rural communities fund drinkingwater and wastewater treatment systems;• environmental restoration, flood protection, hydropowerand navigation infrastructure overseen by the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers;• Bureau of Reclamation projects to provide safe drinking waterto rural areas and to ensure adequate water supply towestern localities impacted by drought;• watershed improvement programs to design and build floodprotection and water quality projects, repair aging dams and purchaseand restore conservation easements in river flood zones;• projects for flood control systems along the internationalsegment of the Rio Grande damaged by hurricane Katrinaand other serious storms;• “Superfund” projects to clean up hazardous and toxic waste sites;• “Brownfields” projects (hazardous waste sites that are notcontaminated enough to be considered Superfund sites butneed to be cleaned up in order to turn them from problemproperties to productive community use);• cleanup of leaky underground storage tanks;• cleanup activities at closed military installations that wouldallow local communities to redevelop these properties forproductive use;• highway, road and bridge construction projects (a modestamount considering that it was widely estimated that stateshave over 5,100 projects totaling over $64 billion that couldbe awarded within 180 days);• grants for wireless and broadband investment in rural andunderserved areas;• “Smart Grid Investment Program” projects to modernize theelectricity grid;

• repairs to military facilities, a large portion of which would be for water andsewer improvements;• new construction to support National Guard and Reserve units across the countrywith operations and training facilities and utilities infrastructure; and• infrastructure projects on federal lands and parks for improvements to visitorfacilities, road and trail restoration, preservation of buildings of cultural andhistoric importance, rehabilitation of abandoned mines and oil fields and environmentalcleanup projects.On the tax side, both chambers included the net operating loss (NOL) “carryback” period from two years to five years for NOLs in taxable years ending in 2008and 2009. Additionally, the House and Senate included provisions to allow businessesto depreciate an additional 50 percent of the cost of an asset acquired andplaced into service, as well as increase the expensing limit to $250,000 and thephase-out to $800,000 for equipment purchased and placed into service in 2009.At press time, progress had been made on the “contractor withholding” provision(Sec. 511) as well. Although the Senate version only provided a one-yearimplementation delay of Sec. 511, the House bill was set to fully repeal the withholdingburden altogether. Full repeal of Sec. 511 would be a huge victory forNUCA and for businesses across America.Finally, both bills extended the depreciation bonus and increased Sec. 179 expensingprovisions, which allow for expedited depreciation schedules for equipmentand for companies to essentially write off new equipment purchases overa period of time. It’s worth noting that NUCA repeatedly made the point thatprovisions like these were only effective when there was enough work to providethe incentive to buy, and that blending tax incentives with strong investment inAmerica’s underground network is a recipe for economic success.Immediate GOP OppositionNot surprisingly, Republicans in Congress were quick to criticize the spendingprovisions in the bill and call for more tax relief. Democrats said there should bemore federal investment in infrastructure programs. At press time, several Housecommittees were set to mark up the provisions under their respective jurisdictions.Soon after the bill’s details were released, a report by the Congressional BudgetOffice (CBO) questioned the stimulative effects of the infrastructure provisions.According to the CBO, only seven percent of discretionary spending would be spentby September 30 of this year and less than 40 percent spent by the end of FY 2010.Republicans jumped on the CBO report, despite the “use it or lose it” requirementson federal stimulus funds, which would require states to put federal dollars to quickuse or risk having them apportioned to other states that were better prepared.A spokesperson for Speaker Pelosi quickly defended the spending provisions: “The newCBO report does not take into account the fastest spending provisions in the bill, leavingthe false impression that the overall spend-out rates are slower than they actually are.These provisions will go out quickly to give the economy a jolt while others will representdown payments on crucial priorities for our economic future — investments in cleanenergy, health care, education and repairing our nation’s infrastructure.”NUCA continued to encourage Congress pass stimulus legislation with stipulationsthat ensured transparency and accountability. Federal funding that comeswith strict reporting requirements that include public disclosure of when, where,who, why and how much federal money is being spent is needed. States and localitiesthat can’t get their ducks in a row won’t get their projects. Those that do will.When this article went to press, the pressure was on Capitol Hill to do somethingabout the economic crisis and have something on President Obama’s desk by the latterhalf of February. As we have done since the beginning of the stimulus debate, NUCAwill continue to work to ensure the inclusion of items of critical interest to our industry,especially investment in underground infrastructure projects that will create work and,in turn, jobs. Hopefully, by the time you read this, help is on the way.Eben Wyman is NUCA Vice President of Government Relations.February 2009 | Utility Contractor 39National Utility Contractors Association

SAFETY MANAGEMENTOSHA Clarifies the PPE RuleBy George KennedyOSHA’s final rule for personal protective equipment(PPE) became effective on May 15, 2008.With few exceptions, most underground utilitycontractors have not been affected by the changesbecause they were already providing employees with PPE.However, a recent clarification (final rule effective Jan. 12)allows OSHA to issue a separate violation for each failureto provide the required PPE to an employee. It is thereforemore important than ever to ensure that your company isproviding the proper PPE to all employees — including constructionworkers at jobsites, mechanics in the shop and supervisorsand managers in the field (or whenever they arevisiting work areas). The following information is designedto assist you in remaining in compliance with the final ruleand its clarification.Many OSHA standards require employers to provide theiremployees with PPE when such equipment is necessary to protectemployees from job-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities.These requirements address PPE of many kinds: hard hats,gloves, goggles, safety shoes, safety glasses, welding helmets,face shields, chemical protective equipment, fall protectionequipment, etc. The provisions in OSHA standards that requirePPE generally state that the employer is to provide such PPE.However, some of these provisions did not require the employerto provide such PPE at no cost to the employee.The new rule (and clarification) requires employers to payfor the PPE provided to employees, with exceptions for specificitems such as certain safety-toe protective footwear and prescriptionsafety eyewear. Additionally, the rule does not requireemployers to provide PPE where none has been required before.Instead, the rule merely stipulates that the employer mustpay for required PPE, except in the limited cases specified inthe standard.Items that were considered exempt from the rule such assafety-toe boots and prescription safety glasses were exemptedbecause they are considered to be personal in nature. The finalrule allows these specified exceptions as long as they meet thefollowing conditions: 1) the employer permits such footwear oreyewear to be worn off the jobsite; 2) the footwear or eyewear isnot used at work in a manner that renders it unsafe for use offthe jobsite; and 3) such footwear or eyewear is not designed forspecial use on the job such as a pair of knee-high, rubber, safety-toeboots. The exceptions do not apply to non-prescriptionsafety glasses, gloves or other standard PPE that the employermay permit workers to use off the jobsite.OSHA does not expect employers to pay for normal clothingor items not required by an OSHA standard. The final ruleclarifies that an employer’s obligation to pay for PPE is limitedto PPE that is used to comply with an OSHA standard. For example,OSHA expects the employer to pay for hard hats, nonprescriptioneye protection, hearing protection, respirators,safety vests, work gloves, welder’s leathers, welding helmets,chain-saw chaps, etc. PPE requirements may vary from oneworker to another depending on their job responsibilities.Ordinary hand tools are not considered to be PPE. Most specialtytools, such as electrically insulated “hot sticks” used byelectric utility workers, are considered to be engineering controlsrather than PPE and are already required to be paid for bythe employer. In brief, the PPE rule does not affect the need toprovide workers with specialized tools.Another example is dust masks and respirators that an employerallows employees to use under the voluntary use (notrequired by an OSHA standard) provisions of the respiratoryprotection standard. If an OSHA standard does not requirethat PPE be used the employer does not have to pay for it.However, many employers already provide the equipment forthe comfort of their employees, in which case they shouldlook very carefully at the respiratory standard to determineexactly what the employer must do if the dust masks or respiratorsare provided even if not required.Because OSHA has determined that timely replacement ofPPE is more likely to occur when the employer is responsiblefor paying for it, the employer is also responsible for replacingPPE that is no longer functional. In the rare case involving anemployee who regularly fails to bring company-issued PPE tothe jobsite or who regularly loses or intentionally damages the40 Utility Contractor | February 2009

SAFETY MANAGEMENTequipment, the employer is permitted to require the employeeto pay for replacement. OSHA suggests that employers usetheir company disciplinary actions system as a valid meansof dealing with employees who fail to bring/use PPE and fordealing with PPE loss and abuse.OSHA does not object to the employer providing allowancesas a means of paying for PPE, as long as the allowance policycovers the cost of the equipment and ensures that employeesreceive replacement PPE required by a standard when neededat no cost to the employee. An employee should not have towork without PPE if the equipment is worn out, lost or damagedjust because he/she used up the allowance. The final rulealso makes it clear that employers may not require employees toprovide or pay for their own PPE.It is a common practice in the construction industry foran employer to permit an employee to use his or her ownPPE when the employee may have been given the PPE bya previous employer or purchased the equipment becauseof personal preferences, comfort or some other reason.The employer must first decide if employee-owned equipmentis permitted; if it is, the employer is responsible forits condition and use and for providing an adequate replacementif the equipment is worn out, lost or damaged.In short, the employer is responsible for ensuring that theemployee has and uses the proper type of PPE to meet therequirements of applicable OSHA standards.If the employer owns the PPE, the employer may requirethe employee to return the PPE upon termination of employment.If the equipment is not returned, nothing in the ruleprevents the employer from requiring the employee to pay forit. However, the employer cannot charge for wear and tear tothe equipment related to work performed. It has been suggestedthat a written agreement between the employer andemployee upon issuance of the PPE would be an effective wayto ensure that the equipment will be returned. Another acceptablealternative is a reasonable deposit system that providesan incentive for employees to return the equipment.The standard does not prohibit the use of shared PPE or thereuse of PPE by another employee. However, it does requirethat such PPE be properly sanitized before being used by orissued to another employee. Keep in mind that some PPE cannotbe easily sanitized and that special provisions may haveto be implemented.Since it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the PPEis properly suited to protect against the hazards of the workplaceand fits the employee properly, it is considered a good practiceto offer a selection of PPE from which employees can choose.For example, one pair of safety glasses might be too tight or un-February 2009 | Utility Contractor 41National Utility Contractors Association

SAFETY MANAGEMENTcomfortable for oneemployee and still fitanother worker perfectly.The importantpoint here is that illfittingPPE may notserve its intendedpurpose and/or maynot be used by theemployee, therebyputting him or her atrisk of injury, illnessor death.As noted above,OSHA has recentlyissued a clarificationof the employer’sresponsibilityto not only providePPE, but also totrain each employeeto properly use theequipment. Accordingto OSHA, theamendment doesnot add any newcompliance obligations.Employersare not required toprovide any new type of PPE or training, to provide PPE ortraining to any employee not already covered by the existingrequirements, or to provide PPE or training in a manner differentfrom what is already required. However, the rule doesmake it very clear that the standards for PPE and training applyto each employee and that each failure to provide PPE ortraining will be considered a separate violation.The clarification of these requirements is embodied in changesto the introductory sections of several parts of the OSHAstandard, including 1926.20 — General Safety and Health Provisionsof the construction standards. The specific changes to1926.20(f)(1) & (2) are:(f) Compliance duties owed to each employee.(1) Personal protective equipment. Standards in this part requiringthe employer to provide personal protective equipment(PPE), including respirators and other types of PPE, because ofhazards to employees impose a separate compliance duty withrespect to each employee covered by the requirement. The employermust provide PPE to each employee required to use thePPE, and each failure to provide PPE to an employee may beconsidered a separate violation.42 Utility Contractor | February 2009Personal protective equipment not only means that you’re looking good on the job site, but thatyou’re safe as well. The new OSHA rule (and clarification) requires employers to pay for the PPEprovided to employees, with exceptions for specific items such as certain safety-toe protectivefootwear and prescription safety eyewear. Photo by Kevin Rosseel.(2) Training. Standards in this part requiring training onhazards and related matters, such as standards requiring thatemployees receive training or that the employer train employees,provide training to employees, or institute or implementa training program, impose a separate compliance duty withrespect to each employee covered by the requirement. The employermust train each affected employee in the manner requiredby the standard, and each failure to train an employeemay be considered a separate violation.The final rule that became effective on Jan. 12 clarifiesOSHA’s intent to ensure that each employee is issued the appropriatePPE to perform his/her tasks safely. In addition,OSHA expects employers to train all employees when to usetheir PPE, how to use it correctly and how to maintain it in asafe and sanitary condition.For more information about complying with the PPE changesand a sample PPE policy visit the Washington OSHA Web site atwww.lni.wa.gov/wisha/publications/PPEGuide/Checklistforcomplying.docand www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/publications/ppeguide/sampleppepolicies.doc.George Kennedy is NUCA Vice President of Safety.

NUCA NEWSNUCA Now Accepting William H. Feather Safety Award SubmissionsWilliam H. Feather Safety Awards are awarded toNUCA contractor member companies that have the bestsafety records in five categories according to total manhoursworked. Winners in each category are selected onthe basis of injury frequency data, a short safety managementstatement and company safety program information.If your company is accustomed to a culture ofsafe work practices and this commitment is reflectedin a strong safety record in 2008, we encourage you tosubmit an application (available at www.nuca.com under“Awards Program”).Any contractor, associate or institutional member ofthe NUCA may submit a project(s). A panel of judgesselected by the Awards Committee will evaluate the entriesand choose the overall winners in each of five categoriesbased on the number of company employees.All complete and timely entries will be recognized inUtility Contractor magazine.Completed applications with all supporting materialsmust be submitted to NUCA by Feb. 27. The winnerswill be recognized at the Seventh Annual AwardsDinner during NUCA’s 2009 Spring Meetings andWashington Summit, May 18-20, Hotel Monaco,The 2007 Feather Overall Winner was RMCI Inc. ofAlbuquerque, N.M.Alexandria (“Old Town”), Va. If you have any questions,please contact either George Kennedy (518) 885-2560 orCourtney Croll (703) 358-9300.Call for Applications: 2009 NUCA Safety Instructor Train-the-Trainer ProgramsNUCA Vice President of Safety George Kennedy instructsan attendee in safe confined space entry procedures.NUCA is now accepting applicationsfor the 2009 Safety InstructorTrain-the-Trainer programs — the2½-day Excavation Safety/CompetentPerson and 1½-day Confined SpaceEntry. The TTT programs are held annually,with the dates and locationsdetermined after the candidates areselected.To qualify as a NUCA instructor, applicantsmust have experience in the constructionindustry, be an OSHA instructoror possess astrong knowledgeof OSHAstandards, havehad prior experienceinstructingclasses orgroups and bewilling to makea commitmentto the industry.NUCA membershipis requiredor theapplicant mustbe sponsored byand work for aNUCA memberin good standing. Applicants employedas instructors for fire departments andother municipal rescue teams are eligiblewithout becoming NUCA members.If you would like to be considered for theNUCA instructor programs, please completethe TTT application (available atwww.nuca.com under “Safety Services”).If you have any questions, please contactGeorge Kennedy, Vice President ofSafety, at (518) 885-2560 or gkennedy@nycap.rr.com.NOTE: NUCA is especially interestedin recruiting additional instructors forthe following states: Alabama, Arkansas,Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas,Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts,Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana,Nebraska, New Hampshire, NewJersey, North Dakota, Oregon, RhodeIsland, South Carolina, South Dakota,Vermont, Washington, West Virginiaand Wyoming.44 Utility Contractor | February 2009

NUCA NEWSZebouni Interning withSenator VoinovichJennifer Zebouni, daughter ofUtility ContractorsAssociationof North Florida(UCANF) memberTony Zebouni( Regan,ZebouniZebouni &Walker) is servingas an internin the Ohio Officeof Senator George Voinovich.In 2007, Jennifer attendedNUCA’s Washington Summit withher father and other UCANFmembers making visits to the officesof a number of members ofthe House of Representatives andSenate. Jennifer is a currently a juniorat Xavier University. She wasthe 2008 recipient of the UCANFMike Allen Scholarship. In the future,Jennifer would like to attendlaw school and work in politics asa diplomat.NUCA of Las Vegas Holds Holiday Dinner/AuctionOn Dec. 6, 2008, the National Utility Contractors Association of Las Vegasheld its annual Holiday Dinner/Auction at the Golden Nugget Hotel/Casino.Some 120 guestsenjoyed a cocktailhour whileentering theirsilent auctionbids in the foyeroutside the maindining room.Now in his thirdfour-year term,Las Vegas MayorOscar Goodmanaddressed thegroup and autographedhis bobbleheaddoll forthe live auctionLas Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and NUCA of Las VegasExecutive Director Dick Schneider.that followed dinner. Awards were presented to outstanding chapter membersfor their contributions throughout the year. The 2008 President, Larry Fortin,conducted the installation ceremony for 2009 President David Rice and theremaining officers and directors. Conducted by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, thelive auction garnered 10 times the amount of the previous year. The event wassuch a success that the Board of Directors has already reserved the same facilityfor the 2009 event.NEW MEMBERSCONTRACTORSEnvironmentalConstruction Inc.Bruce H. SmithP.O. Box 563Stony Point, NY 10980Work: (845) 429-0497Fax: (845) 429-0483ec198@aol.comGeislinger & SonsJeff Geislinger36854-654th Ave.Watkins, MN 55389Work: (320)764-2006Fax: (320) 764-2007jeffg@meltel.netKenneth L. Mays& Sons Inc.Samuel Mays1634 Buffalo Springs TurnpikeAmherst, VA 24521Work: (434) 922-7353Fax: (434) 922-7334mays@nccwildblue.comReid & Reid ContractorsLLLPAnn Wilson7625 Majors RdCumming, GA 30040-7048Work: (770) 889-2743Fax: (770) 889-7943www.reidandreidcontractors.comTerra ConstructionGroup Inc.Nick Kotaiche855 28th St., SouthSt. Petersburg, FL 33712Work: (727) 497-3186Fax: (727) 497-8197loriew@terraconstructiongroup.comwww.terraconstructiongroup.comASSOCIATESBiggs Insurance ServicesPaul AndersonP.O. Box 189Vancouver, WA 98666Work: (360) 695-3301Fax: (360) 696-2232paul.anderson@biggsinsurance.comwww.biggsinsurance.comMorooka USA Corp.David Cook6199 SE Lake Rd.Milwaukie, OR 97222Work: (503) 654-7565Fax: (503) 654-4579www.morookaindustries.comPort Consolidated Inc.Michael Griffith453 N. Meander Dr.Altamonte Springs, FL32714Work: (877) 345-1098mgriffith@portconsolidated.comwww.portconsolidated.comW.M. Martin Advertising Inc.Wendy Fahle6705 Levelland Rd., Ste. ADallas, TX 75252Work: (800) 950-3120Fax: (972) 732-8041wendy@wmmadv.comwww.wmmadv.com46 Utility Contractor | February 2009

INDUSTRY CALENDARMarch 2009April 20094-6 — Utility Construction EXPO ‘09The Big Show, Pre-EXPO activities — committeemeetings, NUCA Scholarship Golf Tournament andWelcome Reception — are on March 3, the SheratonPhoenix/Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, contactLinda Holtz at (703) 358-9300 or linda@nuca.com12 – SUCA March Membership Meeting, FeatherSound Country Club, Clearwater, Florida, SuncoastUtility Contractors Association, (813) 989-78227 – UCANF Annual Golf Tournament, DeerwoodCountry Club, Jacksonville, Florida, Utility ContractorsAssociation of North Florida, (904) 296-123029-May 2 – NCUCA Spring Conference, CarolinaBeach Oceanfront Hotel, Carolina Beach, North Carolina,North Carolina Utility Contractors Association,(919) 845-7733May 200912 – UCA Membership Dinner Meeting, UtilityContractors Association of South Florida, (954) 575-011018 – Dinner with Tony Ventrella, Doubletree GuestSuites-Southcenter, Seattle, Washington, UtilityContractors Association of Washington, (425) 264-124019 – GUCA 2009 Spring Quarterly Meeting, TheFreight Depot, Atlanta, Georgia, Georgia UtilityContractors Association, (404) 362-999519 – March General Meeting, Utility ContractorsAssociation of North Florida, (904) 296-123031 – General Membership Meeting, UtilityContractors Association of Rhode Island,(401) 996-69657 – SUCA May Membership Meeting, Rusty Pelican,Tampa, Fla., Suncoast Utility ContractorsAssociation, (813) 989-78227 – UCA Happy Hour Cocktail ReceptionUtility Contractors Association of South Florida,(954) 575-011014 – Jacksonville Suns vs. Mississippi Braves,Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, Fla., UtilityContractors Association of North Florida, (904) 296-123017-18 – East Golf, Woodloch Springs Golf Club,Hawley, Penn., Pennsylvania Utility ContractorsAssociation, (717) 234-805518-20 – 2009 NUCA Spring Board Meeting/Washington Summit, Hotel Monaco, Alexandria,Va., contact Linda Holtz at (703) 358-9300 or linda@nuca.com48 Utility Contractor | February 2009

THE PIPELINECODE FINDER for Building and ConstructionThis one-of-a-kind manual will help construction professionals quickly search for anycode section no matter how obscure. No more bouncing from code to code to identifythe appropriate section to use in specifications, – it’s all done for you! Book comeswith a diskette with features that include key-word lookup. Use anywhere!344 pages/ softboundPublisher: BNiCost: $98.00** Shipping and Handling Not Included.Selling price subject to change withoutnotice** CD Minimum Requirements: MicrosoftWindows 98, NT 4.0, MicrosoftWindows Media Player 6.4, MicrosoftInternet Explorer 5.0NUCA’s Trenchless Assessment Guide CD Plus a FREE Copy ofNUCA’s TrenchlessConstruction Methods Manual- 4th EditionThis time-saving, interactive software is designed to help utility engineers anddesigners evaluate the Trenchless construction methods for the installation,rehabilitation or replacement of buried utilities.Author: NUCACost: $195.00*More resources available at www.benjaminmedia.com/book-store or call 330.467.7588 today!February 2009 | Utility Contractor 49

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