NTSB Safety Recommendation P-82-016

NTSB safety recommendation P-82-016.

THE SAFETY BOARD IS CONCERNED THAT THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR SIMILAR ACCIDENTS SINCE GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINES ARE OFTEN UPDATED TO ACCOMMODATE INCREASING DEMANDS. THEREFORE, THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION AND THE INTERSTATE NATURAL GAS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA: NOTIFY THEIR MEMBER COMPANIES OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS ACCIDENT AND URGE THEM TO DEVELOP DETAILED SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR EACH HYDROSTATIC TEST PROJECT.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1982-05-13

Adopted Date: 1982-04-26

Overall Date Closed: 1982-11-12

Synopsis: ON NOVEMBER 30, 1981, AT FLATWOODS, WEST VIRGINIA, GAS, LEAKING INTO A TEST SECTION OF A 26-INCH-DIAMETER GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINE OWNED AND OPERATED BY COLUMBIA GAS TRANSMISSION CORPORATION (COLUMBIA), IGNITED AS A WELDER ENGAGED IN INSTALLING AN END CAP PLACED A TACK WELD ON THE EAST END OF A 180-FOOT-LONG SECTION OF PIPE. THE RESULTANT EXPLOSION BLEW OFF THE EAST END CAP, WHICH STRUCK AND KILLED THE WELDER'S HELPER.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA82FP001

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: American Gas Association

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1982-11-12

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1982-09-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LETTER TO AGA MEMBERSHIP: TO AGA MEMBER COMPANY DELEGATES REGARDING NTSB P-82-16 SAFETY RECOMMENDATION, INCIDENT AT FLATWOODS, WV, NOVEMBER 30, 1981 - GENTLEMEN: ENCLOSED IS THE NTSB SAFETY RECOMMENDATION REFERENCED ABOVE WHICH REQUESTS INGAA AND AGA TO "NOTIFY THERE MEMBER COMPANIES OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS INCIDENT AND URGE THEM TO DEVELOP DETAILED SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR EACH HYDROSTATIC TEST PROJECT." THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE SAFETY WITHIN THE INDUSTRY, AND HOPES THAT THIS RECOMMENDATION WILL BE OF SOME ASSISTANCE TO YOU.

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1982-11-12

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Name: Interstate Natural Gas Association of America

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1982-11-12

Addressee Acronym: INGAA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1982-05-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: INTERSTATE NATURAL GAS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (INGAA) LTR: IN CONNECTION WITH SAFETY RECOMMENDATION P-82-16, INGAA'S MEMBER COMPANIES HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACCIDENT COVERED AND THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD WITH RESPECT THERETO. A COPY OF THE BOARD'S SAFETY RECOMMENDATION P-82-16 HAS BEEN FORWARDED ALSO TO EACH OF INGAA'S MEMBERS. A COPY OF A PORTION OF THE MAY 21, 1982, INGAA "WASHINGTON REPORT" WAS ENCLOSED.

Addressee Acronym: INGAA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1982-07-02

Communication Type: Official Correspondence