NTSB Safety Recommendation P-72-025

NTSB safety recommendation P-72-025.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT: THE OFFICE OF PIPELINE SAFETY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CLARIFY THE LANGUAGE OF 49 CFR 192.199(G) TO STATE CLEARLY THAT THE INTENT OF THE REGULATION IS TO SEPARATE PRESSURE-LIMITING DEVICES BY DISTANCE, BARRIER, OR SEPARATE HOUSING.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Reconsidered

Issued Date: 1972-06-08

Adopted Date: 1972-05-25

Overall Date Closed: 1976-09-10

Synopsis: ON NOVEMBER 17, 1971, WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF REVAMPING A REGULATOR STATION, EMPLOYEES OF THE EQUITABLE GAS COMPANY WERE ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE A VALVE ON THE LOW-PRESSURE SIDE OF A REGULATOR IN A VAULT WITHOUT FIRST STOPPING THE FLOW OF GAS. TWO MEN WORKING IN THE VAULT WERE OVERCOME BY GAS LEAKING INTO THE VAULT. FOUR OTHERS ALSO WERE OVERCOME ATTEMPTING TO RESCUE THE FIRST TWO. ALL SIX MEN DIED OF ASPHYXIATION. THREE OTHER MEN ALSO WERE INJURED.

Probable Cause: Inhalation of natural gas released into a vault where two men were attempting to change a valve in the vault without first stopping the flow of gas.

Ntsbnumber: PLD72XR004

Report Number: PAR-72-02

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Reconsidered

Addressee Date Closed: 1976-09-10