Worker dies on California microtunnel project
29 June 2015USA - A 38-year-old worker from Nevada died Wednesday at a microtunnelling site for the Upper Narrows Pipeline Replacement Project in Victorville, California, when equipment malfunctioned, local media reported.
A spokesman for the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) said, the incident occurred at a worksite where crews were removing a large piece of a micro TBM from a recently completed connecting tunnel. A winch came loosing, killing the man operating the winch.
"We are deeply saddened by this mornings accidental death of a contract employee at our Upper Narrows tunneling site. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and co-workers during this tragic time," the VVWRA said in a statement.
The name of the man who was killed is being withheld until the family is notified.
The USD 38M project is replacing the area's wastewater main line damaged by flooding in December 2010. The project is deploying two TBMs 60in and 84in in diameter.
