NTSB Safety Recommendation P-96-007

NTSB safety recommendation P-96-007.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION ASSOCIATES, INC.: INSTRUCT ITS EMPLOYEES ON ACTIONS TO TAKE WHEN BURIED FACILITIES, SUCH AS GAS LINES, ARE UNSUPPORTED OR DAMAGED; SUCH ACTIONS SHOULD INCLUDE ALERTING LOCAL RESPONSE AGENCIES & RESIDENTS OF THREATENED BUILDINGS, INITIATING EVACUATIONS, & NOTIFYING FACILITY OWNERS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Issued Date: 1996-03-06

Adopted Date: 1996-02-26

Overall Date Closed: 2001-09-11

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: Environmental Preservation Associates, Inc.

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 2001-09-11

Addressee Acronym: EPAI

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2001-09-11

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: P-96-7 is classified "Closed--No Longer Applicable" as EPA is no longer in business.