NTSB Safety Recommendation P-07-005

NTSB safety recommendation P-07-005.

The National Transportation Safety Board makes the following safety recommendation to the Public Service Electric and Gas Company: Modify your excavation damage prevention program and emergency plan to require site-specific risk assessments of excavators’ plans, and implement procedures to effectively manage the risk, such as increased surveillance of excavator actions to protect the pipeline and ensuring that gas shut-off valves are tested so that they can be closed promptly if the pipeline is damaged.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 2007-06-07

Adopted Date: 2007-05-01

Overall Date Closed: 2008-11-07

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.

Ntsbnumber: DCA06MP001

Report Number: PAB-07-01

Addressee Name: Public Service Electric and Gas Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2008-11-07

Addressee Acronym: PSEG

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2007-11-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board is pleased that the Public Service Electric and Gas Company intends to modify its excavation damage prevention program and emergency plans as requested. We note that the Public Service Electric and Gas Company is in the process of identifying those areas where changes can be made, and will amend its procedures to ensure that gas shut-off valves are accessible at high risk locations. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-07-5 is classified Open Acceptable Response, pending completion of this effort. The Board would appreciate receiving periodic updates on the status of this project and a copy of the modified procedures when complete.

Addressee Acronym: PSEG

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2008-11-07

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board has reviewed section 1.2, High Risk Excavations, of the PSE&G excavation damage prevention program and emergency plan faxed by Mr. Carey. The Safety Board is pleased to note that section 1.2.1, High Risk Activities, provides a clear definition of what constitutes a high risk excavation and provides guidance about what issues company representatives are to consider when determining how a work site is to be classified. Section 1.2.2, Action Checklist, provides the following guidance regarding excavations that have been identified as potentially high risk: 1.Assess the activities and classify the work as normal or High Risk. 2.Stop-the-Job as necessary to ensure the protection of life, property and the gas distribution system. 3.Conduct an onsite meeting with the excavator to communicate requirements to safeguard existing gas facilities. 4.Locate service valve and confirm accessibility for operation as needed. 5.Identify whether the ongoing activity will require construction. Because PSE&G has taken action as requested, Safety Recommendation P-07-5 is classified Closed Acceptable Action.

Addressee Acronym: PSEG

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2007-08-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 8/14/2007 3:21:35 PM MC# 2070402: In response to your letter of June 7, 2007, Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (the Company) expresses our sympathies to those who suffered as a result of this event. Safety is our top priority, and we will continue to work with regulators, emergency responders, and the industry to prevent damages to our facilities. As to the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) investigation into this incident, the Company appreciated the opporturiity to assist in the fact finding portion of the investigation. We have reviewed the full NTSB report and your letter of June 7, 2007, and we will modify our excavation damage prevention program and emergency plans. The Company is in the process of identifying those areas where changes can be made, and will amend our procedures to ensure that gas shut-off valves are accessible at high- risk locations. The Company would like to take this opportunity to thank the NTSB for its efforts to strive for a safer environment.

Addressee Acronym: PSEG

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2008-04-16

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 4/22/2008 9:40:53 AM MC# 2080209: Please accept this update in response to your correspondence to Ralph lzzo of November 21, 2007. In your correspondence you requested a status update with respect to Safety Recommendation P-07-51that was issued to Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) as a result of the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) investigation of a natural gas service line break and subsequent explosion and fire in Bergenfield, New Jersey on December 13, 2005. PSE&G has reviewed our excavation damage prevention program and emergency plan, and as requested, has developed a new section addressing high risk excavations. PSE&G intends to issue this revised program and emergency plan in June of 2008, at which time copies will be forwarded to you. These amended procedures have already been reviewed with all PSE&G mark- out inspectors.

Addressee Acronym: PSEG

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2007-08-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 8/29/2007 9:47:59 AM MC# 2070442:8-3-07: In response to your letter of June 7, 2007, Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (the Company) expresses our sympathies to those who suffered as a result of this event. Safety is our top priority, and we will continue to work with regulators, emergency responders, and the industry to prevent damages to our facilities. As to the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) investigation into this incident, the Company appreciated the opportunity to assist in the fact finding portion of the investigation. We have reviewed the full NTSB report and your letter of June 7, 2007, and we will modify our excavation damage prevention program and emergency plans. The Company is in the process of identifying those areas where changes can be made, and will amend our procedures to ensure that gas shut-off valves are accessible at high risk locations. The Company would like to take this opportunity to thank the NTSB for its efforts to strive for a safer environment. Yours truly, Jorge L. Cardenas, VP Gas Delivery