NTSB Safety Recommendation P-96-006

NTSB safety recommendation P-96-006.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE UGI UTILITIES, INC.: INSTRUCT MEMBERS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS & CONTRACTOR GROUPS IN ITS SERVICE AREA ABOUT THE THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFAETY POSED BY A GAS LINE THAT IS UNSUPPORTED OR DAMAGED, & EMPHASIZE IMPORTANCE OF REPORTING SUCH INFO IMMEDIATELY TO THE FACILITY OWNER.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1996-03-06

Adopted Date: 1996-02-26

Overall Date Closed: 2001-08-07

Synopsis: ABOUT 6:45 P.M. ON 6/9/94, A 2-INCH-DIAMETER STEEL GAS SERVICE LINE THAT HAD BEEN EXPOSED DURING EXCAVATION SEPARATED AT A COMPRESSION COUPLING ABOUT 5 FEET FROM THE NORTH WALL OF JOHN T. GROSS TOWERS, AN EIGHT-STORY RETIREMENT HOME OPERATED BY THE ALLENTOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY AT ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA. THE FAILED UGI UTILITIES, INC,. (UGI) SERVICE LINE RELEASED NATAURAL GAS AT 55 PSIG PRESSURE, & THE ESCAPING GAS FLOWED UNDERGROUND TO GROSS TOWERS. THE GAS PASSED THROUGH OPENINGS IN THE BUILDING FOUNDATION, ENTERED THE MECHANICAL ROOM THROUGH FLOOR VENTS, & MIGRATED TO OTHER BUILDING FLOORS.

Probable Cause: The failure of the management of Environmental Preservation Associates, Inc. (EPAI) to ensure, through project oversight, compliance with its own excavation requirements and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) excavation requirements.

Ntsbnumber: DCA94MP003

Report Number: PAR-96-01

Addressee Name: UGI Corporation

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2001-08-07

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2001-06-01

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 06/06/2001 1:18:34 PM MC# 2010462 UGI worked with other regional utilities and transmission companies, both gas & oil, developing common action and communication protocols. These have been incorporated into a statewide flyer that is mailed to all contractors/excavators and local governments on file at the Pennsylvania One-Call, Inc. Center. Ninety percent of all local governments in Pennsylvania participate in the One-Call System. Copies of this flyer are attached for reference. To reinforce the excavation safety message, UGI has also sent one-call flyers to contractors/excavators and local governments within its service territory. We have also developed tip cards carrying essential Substructure Damage Prevention/Emergency action steps for excavators to follow. These are made available to our locate personnel to hand to excavators directly at construction sites & pre-construction meetings. To further our substructure damage initiatives, UGI is in the process of becoming a member of the national Common Ground Alliance. Their mission is to research and promote safe excavation practices nation wide. In addition, we continue to provide emergency response training programs for local fire departments throughout our service territory. We currently are performing 30 to 50 programs annually.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2001-04-04

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board has not received a response to any of these three recommendations, and we would appreciate learning what action has been taken, or is planned, to implement Safety Recommendations P?96-4 though -6. Please address your response to Ms. Carol J. Carmody, Acting Chairman, citing the recommendation numbers above. A copy of the recommendation letter is enclosed for your reference.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2001-08-07

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board is pleased to learn that UGI has worked with other regional utilities and transmission companies, both gas and oil, to develop common action and communication protocols, and that these have been incorporated into a pamphlet mailed to all contractors/excavators and local governments on file at the Pennsylvania One-Call, Inc., Center. UGI also sent One-Call pamphlets to contractors/excavators and local governments within its service territory and developed "tip" cards carrying essential substructure damage prevention/emergency action steps for excavators to follow. These cards are made available to UGI personnel to hand to excavators at construction sites and pre-construction meetings. The Safety Board also understands that, to further its substructure damage initiatives, UGI is in the process of joining the national Common Ground Alliance, and that the company continues to provide emergency response training programs for local fire departments throughout its service territory. Because UGI has taken the requested action, Safety Recommendation P-96-6 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."