NTSB Safety Recommendation P-07-004

NTSB safety recommendation P-07-004.

The National Transportation Safety Board makes the following safety recommendation to the Mitchell Supreme Fuel Company/American Tank Service Company: Establish and implement written procedures for safe excavation near pipelines, and provide initial and recurrent training on these procedures to employees.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 2007-06-07

Adopted Date: 2007-05-01

Overall Date Closed: 2007-11-21

Synopsis: On December 13, 2005, at 9:26 a.m., an apartment building exploded in Bergenfield, New Jersey, after natural gas migrated into the building from a damaged pipeline. Safety Board investigators found a break in a 1 1/4-inch steel natural gas distribution service line that was operating at 11 1/2 pounds per square inch, gauge. The break occurred at an underground threaded tee connection downstream from where excavators were removing an oil tank that was buried under the asphalt parking lot adjacent to the building. The break occurred, under the parking lot, about 7 feet 4 inches from the building’s wall. Three residents of the apartment building were killed. Four residents and a tank removal worker were injured and transported to hospitals

Probable Cause: The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the December 13, 2005, natural gas explosion and fire in Bergenfield, New Jersey, was the failure of the American Tank Service Company to adequately protect the natural gas service line from shifting soil during excavation, which resulted in damage to the service line and the release and migration of natural gas into the apartment building. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the Public Service Electric and Gas Company to conduct effective oversight of the excavation activities adjacent to the gas service line and to be prepared to promptly shut off the flow of natural gas after the service line was damaged. Contributing to the casualties in the accident was the failure of the Bergenfield Fire Department to evacuate the apartment building despite the strong evidence of a natural gas leak and the potential for gas to migrate into the building.

Keywords: Evacuation, Training and Education

Ntsbnumber: DCA06MP001

Report Number: PAB-07-01

Addressee Name: Mitchell Supreme Fuel Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2007-11-21

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2007-08-16

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 8/29/2007 11:24:33 AM MC# 2070453:8-16-07: In response to the NTSB Report of the above-referenced matter, and the safety recommendations contained therein, Supreme Tank Inc. d/b/a/ American Tank Services has refined and committed to writing its standard operating procedures. Enclosed herein please find a copy of those Standard Operating Procedures for your records.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2007-11-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board notes that American Tank Service has established and implemented written procedures for safe excavation near pipelines, and is providing initial and recurrent training on these procedures to its employees. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P 07-4 is classified Closed Acceptable Action.