NTSB Safety Recommendation P-82-007

NTSB safety recommendation P-82-007.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION: ADVISE ITS MEMBER COMPANIES TO EMPHASIZE TO THEIR MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL THE IMPORTANCE OF CHECKING THE OPERATION OF EMERGENCY VALVES DURING ANNUAL INSPECTIONS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1982-04-16

Adopted Date: 1982-02-25

Overall Date Closed: 1982-08-16

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: American Gas Association

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1982-08-16

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1982-06-15

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: -From George H. Lawrence, President, American Gas Association: Enclosed for your information is a copy of the referenced NTSB Safety Recommendations P-82-6 and 7. The Coordinating Group for Pipeline Safety recommends that the attached be distributed within each company to all appropriate personnel, in keeping with our continuing efforts to improve safety within the industry.

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1982-08-16

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Thank you for providing the National Transportation Safety Board with copies of information concerning various accidents investigated by the Safety Board which you have distributed to your member companies. The following table shows actions taken by the Board based on your responses to the safety recommendations: Safety Recommendations P-82-6 and -7, Date issued 4/16/1982, Accident San Francisco, CA 8-25-1981 Action by the Board Closed Acceptable Action, (Date of this letter) Thank you for informing the Board of your actions on these recommendations. Your concern for pipeline transportation safety is appreciated.