December 10, 2023
A construction foreman rented a trencher from a rental store to use at a nearby jobsite. The rental store employee went over all safety procedures, had the renter sign the rental contract, and completed the checkout procedure as per the store’s process.
The next day, a construction crew member began using the trencher. Suddenly there was a loud noise and the sound of gas escaping. A gas line had ruptured. The worker operating the unit immediately evacuated the area. The trencher caught fire and sustained heavy damage. Thankfully, everyone was safe.
The construction company claimed they had all the utilities marked and that the gas line was not marked as it should be. The utility service allegedly claimed everything had been marked correctly. The rental store filed a claim with their own carrier. Once the claim is paid according to the policy language, the insurance company will seek reimbursement from the rental customer and the utility service as warranted.
This item, provided by ARA Insurance, Overland Park, Kan., contains safety tips and is intended to help readers better understand and manage risk. For more safety and risk management information, customers of ARA Insurance can log on to ReSource. Access is free, so if you haven’t signed up yet, contact your agent or call 800-821-6580.
