NTSB Safety Recommendation P-96-019

NTSB safety recommendation P-96-019.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS: INFORM ITS MEMBERS ABOUT THE 1994 ALLENTOWN ACCIDENT & ENCOURAGE THEM TO TRAIN THEIR EXCAVATION EMPLOYEES IN: (A) NOTIFYING LOCAL EMERGENCY-RESPONSE AGENCIES OF ANY EMERGENCY CONDITIONS IMMEDIATELY; (B) HELPING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF AN EMERGENCY, INCLUDING EVACUATING ANYONE WHO IS IN DANGER; (C) NOTIFYING THE BURIED-FACILITY OWNER OF ANY CHANGES IN THE WORK PLAN: (D) NOTIFYING THE BURIED-FACILITY OWNER OF ANY DAMAGE TO OR LACK OF SUPPORT FOR HIS FACILITY PROMPTLY & RELYING ON THE BURIED-FACILITY OPERATOR TO DECIDE WHETEHR CORRECTIVE ACTION IS NEEDED.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1996-03-06

Adopted Date: 1996-02-26

Overall Date Closed: 2002-11-22

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: Associated General Contractors of America

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2002-11-22

Addressee Acronym: AGC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2002-08-30

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 09/19/2002 9:15:17 AM MC# 2020825 AGC's email & electronic newsletter sent to Board (electronically) stating: Attached you will find this week's edition of e-XCAVATION Matters, a one-page electronic bulletin from the AGC Municipal & Utilities Division designed specifically for utility contractors. Each bullet has a link(s) or email address for additional information. Topics include, but are not 1imiLed to, legislative/regulatory matters, excavator resources, educational and networking opportunities, damage prevention and AGC advocacy efforts on behalf of the professional excavator. The M&U Division hopes you find this a useful resource and welcomes your comments. Building Your Quality of Life Stu Megaw, Director, Municipal & Utilities Division The Associated General Contractors of America 333 John Carlyle Street, Suite 200 Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703/837-5321 Fax: 703/837-5406 Email: megaws@agc.org 8-30-02 Newsletter: NTSB ASKS AGC TO REVIEW SAFETY RECOMMENDATION The National Transportation Safety Board issued Safety Recommendation P-96-l 9 to AGC and others as a result of its investigation of a June 9, 1994, natural gas explosion and fire in Allentown, PA. The Board asked that AGC: Inform its members about the Allentown accident and encourage them to train their excavation employees in: a. notifying local emergency-response agencies of any emergency conditions immediately; b. helping members of the public who are in the immediate vicinity of an emergency, including evacuating anyone who is in danger; c. notifying the buried-facility owner of any changes in the work plan; d. notifying the buried-facility owner of any damage to or lack of support for his facility promptly and relying on the buried-facility operator to decide whether corrective action is needed. For additional information on the Safety Board's investigation, and recommendation P-96-l click on: www.ntsb.gov/Recs/letters/1996/P96 19.pdf

Addressee Acronym: AGC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2002-08-29

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: I Thank you for assisting in the closure of the Safety Board's safety recommendations P-00-3 and 4 (your 5-29-01 letter and the NTSBs 7-23-01 response, copies attached). However, there is another recommendation still open.... P-96-19 (reference our 7-23-01 letter). I have checked your web site (frankly it is one of the best I have visited, very comprehensive). However, I did not know where to look for any information related to P-96-19, and was hoping that maybe you could direct me to the proper site or email the link. From what I saw on the AGC site, I am certain that there must be something 'related to 911 notifications, notification of emergency response agencies, emergency procedures, assistance for injured personnel/public and notification/coordination with the utility owner, etc." The Safety Board would appreciate a follow-up to P-96-19.

Addressee Acronym: AGC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2002-11-22

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Because the AGC's electronic news letter e-XCAVATION M@tters, which is sent to some 3,000 e-mail addresses (including AGC's utility contractor members plus 101 chapter offices nationwide), disseminated the requested information, Safety Recommendation P-96-19 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Addressee Acronym: AGC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2001-04-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: TO DATE, THERE HAS BEEN NO CORRESPONDENCE FROM AGC CONCERNING THE STATUS OF ACTION THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN OR IS PLANNED TO BE TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT P-96-19. THE SAFETY BOARD WOULD APPRECIATE LEARNING WHAT FURTHER ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT P-96-19.

Addressee Acronym: AGC

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 2001-07-23

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: To date, there has been no correspondence from AGC concerning Safety Recommendation P-96-19. The Safety Board would appreciate learning what action has been taken or is planned to implement this recommendation. If articles were also published on the issue addressed in this recommendation, we would appreciate receiving copies.