NTSB Safety Recommendation P-80-030

NTSB safety recommendation P-80-030.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION: ESTABLISH A PROGRAM FOR LICENSING OR CERTIFICATING INDIVIDUALS DESIGNATED TO OPERATE LNG FACILITIES. THIS PROGRAM SHOULD INCLUDE A COMPREHENSIVE WRITTEN EXAMINATION TO ENSURE THE COMPETENCE OF SUCH PERSONNEL.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action

Issued Date: 1980-05-07

Adopted Date: 1980-04-16

Overall Date Closed: 1981-05-07

Synopsis: ON OCTOBER 6, 1979, AN EXPLOSION CAUSED BY LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG) VAPORS DESTROYED A TRANSFORMER BUILDING AT THE RECEPTION FACILITY OF THE COLUMBIA LNG CORPORATION, COVE POINT, MARYLAND. ODORLESS LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS LEAKED THROUGH AN INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED LNG PUMP SEAL, VAPORIZED, PASSED THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 210 FT OF UNDERGOUND ELECTRICAL CONDUIT AND ENTERED THE SUBSTATION BUILDING. ONE PERSON WAS KILLED, AND ONE PERSON WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. DAMAGE TO THE FACILITY WAS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $3 MILLION.

Ntsbnumber: DCA80MP001

Report Number: PAR-80-02

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1981-05-07

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1981-01-26

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION LTR: IT WAS THE CONSENSUS OF THE TECHNICAL PIPELINE SAFETY STANDARDS (TPSS) COMMITTEE THAT EXISTING LNG PLANTS DIFFER IN SO MANY RESPECTS THAT NO SINGLE SET OF STANDARDS COULD BE APPLIED TO QUALIFY PERSONNEL FOR OPERATING SUCH FACILITIES. A COMPREHENSIVE WRITTEN EXAMINATION FOR LICENSING OR CERTIFICATION WOULD HAVE TO BE SITE RELATED TO BE EFFECTIVE. THE COAST GUARD MADE A SIMILAR DETERMINATION FOR MARINE TERMINAL PERSONNEL. THE FINAL PART 193 RULES APPLY ALTERNATIVE MEASURES TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF PERSONNEL KNOW-HOW AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS. THE FINAL RULE ON OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF LNG FACILITIES INCLUDES A BROAD FRAME WORK OF EDUCATIONAL AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATORS. DEMONSTRATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE ARE REQUIRED. PERIODIC TRAINING IS REQUIRED. THESE PROVISIONS ARE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN A ONE-TIME LICENSING PROGRAM. TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS AN OPERATOR WILL HAVE TO HAVE TO TAILOR A PROGRAM TO MATCH PLANT CHARACTERISTICS AND THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF PERSONNEL POSITIONS. THE PROGRAMS WILL BE REVIEWED BY FEDERAL AND STATE PERSONNEL.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1981-05-07

Communication Type: Official Correspondence