NTSB Safety Recommendation P-72-026

NTSB safety recommendation P-72-026.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS GAS PIPING STANDARDS COMMITTEE: INCLUDE IN ITS "GUIDE FOR GAS TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION PIPING SYSTEMS" PROCEDURES FOR TESTING THE ATMOSPHERE OF UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES PRIOR TO ENTERING AND WHILE WORKING IN THESE STRUCTURES. THE PRACTICES OF THE AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED DURING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESE GUIDELINES.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1972-06-08

Adopted Date: 1972-05-25

Overall Date Closed: 1975-12-30

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: American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1975-12-30

Addressee Acronym: ASME

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1972-07-25

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF ASME GAS PIPING STANDARDS COMMITTEE I HAVE ASSIGNED THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO BOTH THE DISTRIBUTION AND TRANSMISSION SUBCOMMITTEES OF THE GAS PIPING STANDARDS COMMITTEE. IT WOULD APPEAR, HOWEVER, THAT THE PRIMARY THRUST WILL COME FROM THE DISTRIBUTION AREA. WE WILL CONTACT THE AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY REGARDING THEIR GUIDELINES ON ATMOSPHERE TESTING.