NTSB Safety Recommendation P-82-009

NTSB safety recommendation P-82-009.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE TURNER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR NOTIFYING THE OWNERS OF ALL UNDERGROUND FACILITIES WHICH MAY BE AFFECTED BY YOUR EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES PRIOR TO THE START OF ACTUAL EXCAVATION.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1982-04-16

Adopted Date: 1982-02-25

Overall Date Closed: 1988-05-20

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. APPROXI MATELY 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: Turner Construction Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1988-05-20

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-03-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD'S SAFETY RECOMMENDATION P-82-9 ON APRIL 16, 1982, TURNER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY'S SAN FRANCISCO TERRITORY REISSUED INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL STAFF TO ENSURE THAT "USA NORTH" WAS NOTIFIED PRIOR TO ANY EXCAVATION ON ANY OF OUR CONSTRUCTION SITES. THIS PROGRAM WAS ALSO REVIEWED AT OUR STAFF MEETINGS AND DISCUSSED AT REGULAR JOBSITE MEETINGS PRIOR TO START OF EXCAVATION. WE ARE SORRY WE DID NOT RESPOND PREVIOUSLY WITH A DESCRIPTION OF TURNER CONSTRUCTION COMPANY'S PROCEDURES DEVELOPED REGARDING THE RECOMMENDED ACTION. WE HOPE THIS LETTER SATISFIES YOUR CONCERNS AND PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME IF YOUR REQUIRE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-05-20

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1988-02-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence