Achen-Gardner Construction was proud to sponsor and attend the 2026 Live Trench Safety & Damage Prevention Stand Down & Expo on October 15 at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona. Hosted by the Arizona Chapter of the National Utility Contractors Association (AZUCA) in collaboration with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH), the event brought together contractors, utility providers, municipalities, safety professionals, and industry experts to promote safer practices in underground construction.
Attendees participated in hands-on demonstrations, explored innovative safety equipment and technologies, and learned about best practices for trenching, excavation, and underground utility damage prevention. The event emphasized critical safety topics, including trench protective systems, hazard recognition, utility locating, emergency response, and safe excavation procedures. These practices play an essential role in preventing workplace injuries and protecting crews working around underground infrastructure.
Safety is a core value that guides everything we do at Achen-Gardner. As a heavy civil and wet utility contractor, we recognize the importance of ongoing education and proactive safety practices to protect those working on our jobsites. We are proud to support events like the Live Trench Safety & Damage Prevention Stand Down that bring our industry together to share knowledge, strengthen safety awareness, and reinforce our responsibility to send every worker home safely.