NTSB Safety Recommendation P-85-005

NTSB safety recommendation P-85-005.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY: REQUIRE THAT MAGNETS ON TEMPORARY BONDING CABLES INSTALLED TO MAINTAIN ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY DURING PIPE CUTTING OPERATIONS BE CHECKED FREQUENTLY FOR PROPER POSITIONING AND CHECKED IMMEDIATELY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN MOVEMENT OF THE PIPE.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1985-04-19

Adopted Date: 1985-03-08

Overall Date Closed: 1985-08-19

Synopsis: ON JUNE 19, 1984, SIX EMPLOYEES OF A CONTRACTOR WORKING FOR WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY (WGL) IN ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, WERE USING MECHANICAL SAWS TO CUT A SECTION OF 22-INCH DIAMETER, COATED AND CATHODICALLY PROTECTED, STEEL PIPELINE WHEN RESIDUAL GAS AT ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE IN THE ISOLATED SECTION OF THE PIPELINE WAS IGNITED. A FLASHFIRE ENSUED, AND FOUR CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES WHO WERE OPERATING THE SAWS AND A WGL SUPERINTENDENT WERE BURNED.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA84FP021

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: Washington Gas

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1985-08-19

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1985-05-07

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: WGLC LTR: A SPECIAL NOTE HAS BEEN INCLUDED CONCERNING THE NEED TO MONITOR THE BONDING CABLES DURING CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS TO ASSURE THEY ARE NOT MOVED.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1985-08-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence