NTSB Safety Recommendation P-82-005

NTSB safety recommendation P-82-005.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: AMEND PERMIT PROVISIONS TO SPECIFY IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 8, ARTICLE 6, OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC WORKS CODE, THAT ALL KNOWN OPERATORS OF UNDERGROUND FACILITIES IN THE AREA CONCERNED WILL BE ADVISED OF PROPOSED WORK AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE START OF ACTUAL EXCAVATION EITHER BY DIRECT NOTIFICATION OR BY USE OF THE ONE-CALL SYSTEM, AND ADD THAT FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE OR OTHER CONDITIONS STATED IN THE PERMIT COULD RESULT IN REVOCATION OF THE PERMIT AND INTERRUPTION OF ACTIVITIES AT THE WORKSITE.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1982-04-16

Adopted Date: 1982-02-25

Overall Date Closed: 1989-07-27

Synopsis: ON AUGUST 25, 1981, IN DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A 16-INCH NATURAL GAS MAIN OWNED BY THE PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY (PG & E) WAS PUNCTURED BY A DRILL THAT AN EXCAVATION CONTRACTOR WAS USING TO SET TIEBACKS FOR ANCHORING HIS EXCAVATION SHORING. ESCAPING NATURAL GAS BLEW UPWARD AND CARRIED INTO THE EMBARCADERO COMPLEX AND OTHER NEARBY BUILDINGS. THERE WAS NO IGNITION; HOWEVER, THE GAS STREAM ENTRAINED AN OIL CONTAINING POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL (PCB). FALL-OUT AFFECTED AN EIGHT-SQUARE-BLOCK AREA OF THE CITY'S FINANCIAL DISTRICT COVERING BUILDINGS, CARS, TREES, PEDESTRIANS, POLICE, AND FIREMEN. APPROXIMATELY 30,000 PERSONS WERE SAFELY EVACUATED FROM THE AREA IN 45 MINUTES. NO ONE WAS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED, ALTHOUGH MANY PERSONS WERE SPRAYED WITH THE PCB OIL MIST.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA81MP020

Report Number: PAR-82-01

Addressee Name: State of California, City of San Francisco, Director of Public Works

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1989-07-27

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1989-06-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THANK YOU FOR YOUR LETTER OF MAY 22, 1989 REGARDING AMENDING PERMIT PROVISIONS FOR EXCAVATION IN STREET AREAS WHERE UNDERGROUND FACILITIES ARE IN PLACE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR NOT HAVING RESPONDED SOONER TO YOUR EARLIER COMMUNICATIONS ON THIS MATTER. WE ARE PLEASED, HOWEVER, TO INFORM YOU THAT THE 48-HOUR ADVANCE NOTICE BY PERMITTEE TO ALL KNOWN OPERATORS OF UNDERGROUND FACILITIES IN AN AREA OF PROPOSED WORK HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF OUR REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANTING AN EXCAVATION PERMIT. ENCLOSED IS A COPY OF OUR STREET EXCAVATION REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR REFERENCE IN THE CASE. THAT COMMITMENT IS TRANSLATED INTO THE SUCCESS THOSE PROGRAMS HAVE EXPERIENCED IN SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCING SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1988-02-23

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1989-05-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1989-07-27

Communication Type: Official Correspondence