NTSB Safety Recommendation P-82-043

NTSB safety recommendation P-82-043.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION: ADVISE MEMBER COMPANIES OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS ACCIDENT AND URGE THAT THEY REVIEW THEIR OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND, IF NECESSARY, INITIATE CHANGES TO DISCONTINUE ANY PRACTICES INVOLVING CUTTING GAS MAINS WHILE UNDER PRESSURE EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY WHEN REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1982-12-10

Adopted Date: 1982-11-26

Overall Date Closed: 1983-08-23

Synopsis: ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1982, NATURAL GAS, BLOWING AT 15 PSIG FROM THE OPEN ENDS OF A 2 1/4-INCH CAST-IRON GAS MAIN LOCATED IN A DEEP, NARROW EXCAVATION AT THE INTERSECTION OF COOPER AND MARSHAL STREETS IN DUBLIN, GEORGIA, WAS IGNITED BY AN UNKNOWN SOURCE. THREE CITY OF DUBLIN GAS DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES WHO WERE WORKING IN THE EXCAVATION WERE CRITICALLY BURNED. THE ACTING SUPERINTENDENT OF THE GAS DEPARTMENT, WHO WAS STANDING AT THE EDGE OF THE EXCAVATION, HELPED THE INJURED OUT OF THE DITCH AND WAS SERIOUSLY BURNED IN THE PROCESS.

Ntsbnumber: DCA82FP021

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: American Gas Association

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1983-08-23

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1983-07-18

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LETTER TO AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION MEMBER COMPANY DELEGATES: THE AGA AGREES WITH THE INTENT OF THE NTSB RECOMMENDATION BUT WOULD PROPOSE ALTERNATE WORDING TO RECOMMENDATION P-82-43: ADVISE MEMBER COMPANIES OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS ACCIDENT AND URGE THAT THEY REVIEW THEIR OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND, IF NECESSARY, INITIATE CHANGES TO DISCONTINUE ANY PRACTICES INVOLVING CUTTING GAS MAINS WHILE UNDER PRESSURE EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY WHEN REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OR WHEN A SLIGHT POSITIVE PRESSURE TO PREVENT THE ENTRY OF AIR INTO THE AIR MAIN.

Addressee Acronym: AGA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1983-08-23

Communication Type: Official Correspondence