# NTSB Safety Recommendation P-85-004

**Citation:** P-85-004  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** National Transportation Safety Board  
**Effective:** 1985-04-19  
**Published:** 1985-04-19

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY: REQUIRE THAT TEMPORARY BONDING CABLES INSTALLED TO MAINTAIN ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY DURING PIPE CUTTING OPERATIONS BE TESTED FOR CONDUCTIVITY BEFORE THE PIPELINE IS CUT.

## Document text

NTSB safety recommendation P-85-004.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY: REQUIRE THAT TEMPORARY BONDING CABLES INSTALLED TO MAINTAIN ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY DURING PIPE CUTTING OPERATIONS BE TESTED FOR CONDUCTIVITY BEFORE THE PIPELINE IS CUT.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action

Issued Date: 1985-04-19

Adopted Date: 1985-03-08

Overall Date Closed: 1985-08-19

Synopsis: ON JUNE 19, 1984, SIX EMPLOYEES OF A CONTRACTOR WORKING FOR WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY (WGL) IN ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, WERE USING MECHANICAL SAWS TO CUT A SECTION OF 22-INCH DIAMETER, COATED AND CATHODICALLY PROTECTED, STEEL PIPELINE WHEN RESIDUAL GAS AT ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE IN THE ISOLATED SECTION OF THE PIPELINE WAS IGNITED. A FLASHFIRE ENSUED, AND FOUR CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES WHO WERE OPERATING THE SAWS AND A WGL SUPERINTENDENT WERE BURNED.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA84FP021

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: Washington Gas

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1985-08-19

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1985-05-07

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: WGLC LTR: A DAILY AND MONTHLY INSPECTION OF BONDING CABLES IS REQUIRED. THE DAILY INSPECTION IS MADE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO USAGE TO ASSURE THAT BONDING SURFACES ARE CLEAN AND NO DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED TO THE CABLE. THE MONTHLY INSPECTION IS PERFORMED BY TECHNICIANS MEASURING VOLTAGE AND RESISTANCE TO ASSURE NO LOSS OF CONDUCTIVITY. ANY LOSS IN CONDUCTIVITY WILL RESULT IN REPLACEMENT OR RECONDITIONING OF THE BONDING CABLE.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1985-08-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/sr-details/P-85-004>
- Source ID: `ntsb-pipeline`
- SHA-256: `07be9c2e23c767589039b2461813fa99e614253499e55ebaa20427a07b3eb348`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T04:57:24.741Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T23:21:30.985Z
- Document slug: `ntsb-recommendation-p-85-004`

### Source metadata

```json
{
  "recordKind": "ntsb_safety_recommendation",
  "safetyRecommendationNumber": "P-85-004",
  "recommendationMode": "Pipeline",
  "topicMode": "Pipeline",
  "ntsbNumber": "DCA84FP021",
  "priority": "CLASS II",
  "overallStatus": "Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action",
  "overallStatusAcronym": "CAAA",
  "overallDateClosed": "1985-08-19",
  "lastModifiedDate": "2016-11-15",
  "reportNumber": "None",
  "reportUrl": null,
  "transmittalLetterUrl": "http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-recs/recletters/P85_4_5.pdf",
  "addressees": [
    {
      "addresseeName": "Washington Gas",
      "addresseeStatusAcronym": "CAAA",
      "addresseeStatus": "Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action",
      "addresseeDateClosed": "1985-08-19",
      "addresseeDetails": [
        {
          "addresseeAcronym": null,
          "addresseeOrganizationType": "P-Private Industry",
          "isFromNtsb": false,
          "communicationDate": "1985-05-07",
          "communicationType": "Official Correspondence",
          "communicationContents": "WGLC LTR:  A DAILY AND MONTHLY INSPECTION OF BONDING CABLES IS REQUIRED.  THE DAILY INSPECTION IS MADE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO USAGE TO ASSURE THAT BONDING SURFACES ARE CLEAN AND NO DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED TO THE CABLE.  THE MONTHLY INSPECTION IS PERFORMED BY TECHNICIANS MEASURING VOLTAGE AND RESISTANCE TO ASSURE NO LOSS OF CONDUCTIVITY.  ANY LOSS IN CONDUCTIVITY WILL RESULT IN REPLACEMENT OR RECONDITIONING OF THE BONDING CABLE."
        },
        {
          "addresseeAcronym": null,
          "addresseeOrganizationType": "P-Private Industry",
          "isFromNtsb": true,
          "communicationDate": "1985-08-19",
          "communicationType": "Official Correspondence",
          "communicationContents": ""
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "jurisdiction": "US"
}
```