NTSB Safety Recommendation P-96-009

NTSB safety recommendation P-96-009.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA: DESIGNATE A SINGLE STATE AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STATE'S EXCAVATION-DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM; GIVE THE AGENCY THE POWER TO LEVY ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1996-03-06

Adopted Date: 1996-02-26

Overall Date Closed: 2001-01-12

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: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2001-01-12

Addressee Acronym: PA

Addressee Organization Type: S-State Government

Communication Date: 2000-08-15

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 09/05/2000 8:01:54 AM MC# 2001113 THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY LINE PROTECTION ACT PROVIDES THAT THE DEPT. OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY (L&I), IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MAY ALSO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT IN ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION. CURRENTLY THE BUREAU OF PENNSAFE OF L&I ENFORCES THE ACT. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE GAS SAFETY DIVISION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE BUREAU OF PENNSAFE AND SINCE 1997 HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN SECURING FEDERAL DAMAGE PREVENTION GRANT FUNDS FOR THEIR ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM.

Addressee Acronym: PA

Addressee Organization Type: S-State Government

Communication Date: 1996-05-02

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: PA

Addressee Organization Type: S-State Government

Communication Date: 2001-01-12

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: BECAUSE THE PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU OF PENNSAFE OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY ENFORCES THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY LINE PROTECTION ACT AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STATE'S EXCAVATION DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM TO LEVY ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES, P-96-9 IS CLASSIFIED "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."

Addressee Acronym: PA

Addressee Organization Type: S-State Government

Communication Date: 2000-06-27

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE TO P-96-8, -9 AND -10. THE SAFETY BOARD WOULD APPRECIATE LEARNING WHAT ACTION YOUR STATE HAS TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.