NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-056

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-056.

EXPEDITE ITS ROLE IN SETTING STANDARDS FOR GAS COMPANY SAFETY AND HEALTH, PROMULGATE NECESSARY REGULATIONS, AND COORDINATE ALL ACTIONS WITH THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION TO ASSURE THAT REGULATIONS DEVELOPED ARE COMPATIBLE. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Reconsidered

Issued Date: 1978-08-28

Adopted Date: 1978-09-09

Overall Date Closed: 1990-01-04

Synopsis: ON MARCH 29, 1978, THE OKLAHOMA NATURAL GAS COMPANY (ONG) DISPATCHED A CREW TO SHUT OFF GAS SERVICE TO A SHOPPING CENTER IN OKLAHOMA CITY. THE CREW WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE A VALVE, SO THEY DISCONNECTED THE LINE ON THE LOW-PRESSURE SIDE OF THE REGULATOR AT A 2-INCH UNION AND PLUGGED THE LINE WITHOUT FIRST STOPPING THE FLOW OF GAS. ON APRIL 24, 1978, ONG ASSIGNED A DIFFERENT CREW TO RESTORE GAS SERVICE TO THE SHOPPING CENTER. TWO EMPLOYEES WERE OVERCOME BY GAS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RECONNECT THE 2-INCH UNION WITHOUT FIRST STOPPING THE FLOW OF GAS INSIDE THE VAULT. THREE OTHER ONG EMPLOYEES ENTERED THE VAULT THROUGH THE 19-INCH OPENING TO RESCUE THE MEN AND WERE ALSO OVERCOME; THE CREW DID NOT HAVE A RESPIRATOR AT THE JOB SITE. ONE MAN WAS PULLED OUT OF THE VAULT BY OTHER ONG WORKERS AND WAS REVIVED AT THE SCENE; HOWEVER, THE OTHER FOUR MEN DIED OF ASPHYXIATION.

Ntsbnumber: FTW78FP008

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Reconsidered

Addressee Date Closed: 1990-01-04

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1978-11-27

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: MTB LTR:THE SECRETAY OF DOT REQUESTED IN 1977 THAT EACH MODAL ADMINISTRATOR TO GIVE VIEWS ON DOT'S RELATIONSHIP WITH OSHA. THE POLICY THAT WAS DEVELOPED WAS TO ALLOW EACH ADMINISTRATION TO ADOPT ITS OWN STRATEGY BASED ON NEEDS AND RESOURCES. MTB HAS DECIDED THAT ITS RESOURCES WILL NOT ALLOW AN INVOLVEMENT WITH OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH. THEY HAVE ELECTED TO HAVE OSHA BE THE LEADERS WITH CLOSE COORDINATION WITH OSHA.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1990-01-04

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1979-04-26

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1989-05-31

Communication Type: Official Correspondence