NTSB Safety Recommendation Letter P-74-001 through P-74-009

Page 1Official PDF,/' - 18 - caused by dynamiting on this same c o n s t r u c t i o n p r o j e c t . Contributing t o t h e excessive weight of t h e dynamite charges was t h e f a i l u r e by t h e sewer contractor t o observe f u l l y the S t a t e b l a s t i n g regulations. Contributing t o the explosion and f i r e w a s the lack of a s p e c i f i c preplanned emergency procedure f o r leaks. Contributing t o t h e delay i n extinguishing t h e fire w a s the f a i l u r e t o i s o l a t e r a p i d l y the f a i l e d s e c t i o n of pipe. V I . RECOMMENDATIONS I The National Transportation Safety Board recommends t h a t : 1. The O f f i c e of P i p e l i n e Safety of the Department of R a n s p o r t a - t i o n i s s u e regulations t o r e q u i r e t h a t p i p e l i n e operators have d e f i n i t e procedures t o p r o t e c t t h e i r f a c i l i t i e s a f f e c t e d by b l a s t i n g operations. These regulations should consider, at a the age of t h e p i p e l i n e , t h e operating pressure, t h e type of w e l d or mechanical j o i n t , the general condition of the f a c i l i t y , t h e type of s o i l , and t h e area geography. (Recom- mendation No. P-74-2) 2 . 3 . The American Society of Mechanical Engineers Gas Piping Standards Committee develop guidelines f o r use by p i p e l i n e operators t o p r o t e c t p i p e l i n e f a c i l i t i e s a f f e c t e d by b l a s t i n g operations. (Recommendation No. P-74-2) The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Coopersburg, t h e National League of Cities, t h e National Association of Counties, and t h e U. S . Conference of Mayors: (a) Initiate more comprehensive and more c o n t r o l l i n g inspection procedures on construction p r o j e c t s t o i n s u r e that a l l work is performed s a f e l y and c o r r e c t l y as d e t a i l e d i n con- s t r u c t i o n plans and s p e c i f i c a t i o n s , p a r t i c u l a r l y where b l a s t i n g i s involved. (Recommendation No. P-74-3) (b) Conduct comprehensive and d e t a i l e d preconstruction meetings f o r a l l p r o j e c t s t o explain the f u l l scope, t i m i n g , and critical or hazardous elements involved. A t t h e s e meetings, t h e contractor and the a f f e c t e d u t i l i t y companies should be i n s t r u c t e d t o work c l o s e l y with each o t h e r and w i t h any Government r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s on t h e j o b s i t e . (Reconunendation No. P-74-4) (c) Insure t h a t any u t i l i t y company a f f e c t e d by construction have a preplanned emergency procedure which i s understood by a l l p a r t i e s and which can be carried out expeditiously. (Recommendation No. P-74-5)#

Page 2- 19 - (d) Use a q u a l i f i e d inspector on each Government job, who w i l l be at t h e j o b s i t e a t a l l times during construction. (Recommendation No. P-74-6) 4 . The U G I Corporation: (a) I n i t i a t e more c o n t r o l l i n g inspection procedures on con- s t r u c t i o n p r o j e c t s i n the v i c i n i t y of a l l gas f a c i l i t i e s . Where these p r o j e c t s involve b l a s t i n g , the U G I inspector should observe the shot h o l e loadings and o b t a i n a copy of t h e b l a s t e r ' s "diary" f o r U G I records. (Recommendation P-74-7) (b) I n i t i a t e s p e c i f i c preplanned emergency procedures f o r use when c o n s t r u c t i o n p r o j e c t s are i n proximity to gas f a c i l i - ties. Such procedures should include t h e use of prese- lected and prelocated valves which can be closed immedi- a t e l y i n the event of a gas lead. (Recommendation No. P-74-8) Develop l i a i s o n , before and during construction, with the (c) A s contractor and o t h e r p a r t i e s a f f e c t e d by construction. p a r t of t h i s l i a i s o n , U G I should f u l l y inform t h e con- t r a c t o r and the other p a r t i e s of emergency procedures and should be f u l l y informed of the d a i l y progress of construc- tion. (Recommendation No. P-74-9) BY THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD / s / FRANCIS H . McADAMS Member / s / LOUIS M. THAYER Member /s/ ISABEL A. BURGESS blember ____. February 7 , 1974 John H. Reed, Chairman, and William R. Haley, Elember, were absent, and did not p a r t i c i p a t e i n the adoption of this r e p o r t .#