GD incident on 2021-09-13 — NM

Operator
New Mexico Gas Company
Cause
Incorrect Operation
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities 1 injury
Property damage (nominal)
$0
Incident datetime
2021-09-13 10:50
Report number
Location
NM, SANTA FE
Narrative
On 9/13/2021 at 10:50 am, while a crew was isolating and retiring a service, an ignition occurred when a new mexico gas company (nmgc) construction crew cut into a pressurized 3/4-inch steel service with four-wheel cutters. The three-man crew (acting foreman & 2 crewmen) arrived to retire the 3/4-inch steel service and discovered that neither crew member nor the acting foreman had brought the saw to cut the asphalt to access the service tee connection and properly isolate the service for retirement. The crew decided to continue the job without returning to the shop to get the saw, and instead decided to proceed to make the repair hot with what they described as a cut and plug procedure. During the cut and plug, an ignition occurred, and one crewmen suffered first degree burns, and the other suffered first and second degree burns. Neither the acting foreman nor the crewmen reported the ignition fire or injuries until approximately 14:30 that afternoon when crewman #2 called the supervisor and reported that a flash had occurred, and he had been injured. He was told to seek medical treatment. He was seen but released by concentra. Later that afternoon, all three members of the crew reported to the office for interviews at the santa fe office at approximately 17:20 and upon discovery of the severity of their injuries, the crewmen were sent the hospital by the area manager. Both crewmen proceeded to the hospital, crewman #2 was admitted to the hospital as the result of this injuries, and crewman #1 was treated and released that evening. The incident met reportable criteria when crewman #2 was admitted to the hospital, and could not be tested for drug and alcohol due to his admittance to the hospital. The acting foreman and crewman #1 were drug and alcohol tested. Gas odorant testing was performed by nm gas at 21:11. Readings confirmed proper odorant at 0.53% gas-in-air. Crew failed to follow procedures.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2021-09-13 10:50:00
Year
2021
Report Received Date
2021-10-12 00:00:00
Iyear
2021.0
Report Number
20210087.0
Supplemental Number
36110.0
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
Name
New Mexico Gas Company
Operator Street Address
7120 Wyoming Blvd N.e. Suite 20
Operator City Name
Albuquerque
Operator State Abbreviation
NM
Operator Postal Code
87109
Local Datetime
2021-09-13 20:00:00
Time Zone
Mountain
Daylight Savings Ind
No
Location Street Address
777 Canyon Road
Location City Name
Santa Fe
Location County Name
Santa Fe
Location State Abbreviation
NM
Location Postal Code
87501
Location Latitude
Location Longitude
-105.9243061
Flow Cont Squeeze Off Ind
Yes
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2021-09-13 20:55:00
Nrc Rpt Num
Additional Nrc Report Numbers
1317031
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
3.8
Intentional Release
0.0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
Yes
Num Emp Injuries
1
Num Contr Injuries
0
Num Er Injuries
0
Num Worker Injuries
0
Num Gp Injuries
0
Injure
1
Ignite Ind
Yes
Ignite Datetime
2021-09-13 10:50:00
How Extinguished
Operator/contractor
Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf
2.3
Explode Ind
No
Num Pub Evacuated
0.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2021-09-13 10:50:00
Communication State Fed Ind
No
On Site Datetime
2021-09-13 09:30:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Utility Right-Of-Way / Easement
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Exposed Due To Excavation
Depth Of Cover
24.0
Other Underground Facilities
No
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Investor Owned
System Part Involved
Service
Installation Year
1971.0
Manufactured Year
1971.0
Customer Type
Non-Residential With Meter Capacity Less Than 1,000 Scfh
Was Efv Installed Before Ind
No
Curb Valve Inst Before Inc Ind
No
Pipe Diameter
0.75
Pipe Specification
Api 5l
Pipe Manufacturer
Unknown
Material Involved
Steel
Steel Seam Type
Seamless
Wt Steel
0.113
Release Type
Other
Release Type Details
An Ignition Occurred When A New Mexico Gas Company (Nmgc) Construction Crew Cut Into A Pressurized (55 Psig) 3/4-Inch Steel Service With Four-Wheel Cutters To Isolate And Plug The Service Line For Abandonment.
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
0.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
0.0
Est Cost Emergency
0.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Gas Cost In Mcf
15.21
Est Cost Unintentional Release
58.0
Est Cost Intentional Release
0.0
Prpty
58.0
Commercial Affected
0.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
0.0
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght
1.0
Num Injured Treated By Emt
0.0
Num Resident Building Affctd
0.0
Num Business Building Affctd
0.0
Accident Psig
55.0
Normal Psig
55.0
Mop Psig
60.0
Mop Cfr Section
192.619(A)(1)
Maop Established Date
2016-10-27 00:00:00
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Gas Odorized System Type
Combination Of Odorization Types
Gas Odorized Level
0.5
Scada In Place Ind
No
Accident Identifier
Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors
Operator Type
Operator Employee
Investigation Status
No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the incident
Employee Drug Test Ind
Yes
Num Employees Tested
2
Num Employees Failed
0
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Incorrect Operation
Cause Details
Other Incorrect Operation
Operation Type
Other Incorrect Operation
Operation Details
An Ignition Occurred When A New Mexico Gas Company (Nmgc) Construction Crew Cut Into A Pressurized (55 Psig) 3/4-Inch Steel Service With Four-Wheel Cutters To Isolate And Plug The Service Line For Abandonment. Crew Failed To Follow Procedure.
Related Failure Follow Ind
Yes
Category Type
Other Maintenance
Operator Qualification Ind
Yes
Qualified Individuals
Yes, They Were Qualified For The Task(S)
Preparer Name
A***** M*******
Preparer Title
Pipeline Safety Management Systems Manager
Preparer Email
A**************@n****.com
Preparer Telephone
505-697-3518
Local Contact Name
A***** M*******
Local Contact Email
A**************@n****.com
Local Contact Telephone
505-427-6343
Authorizer Name
T** B******
Authorizer Title
Vp Eng-Gas Mgmt-Tech Services
Authorizer Telephone
505-697-3599
Authorizer Email
T**********@n****.com
Narrative
On 9/13/2021 at 10:50 am, while a crew was isolating and retiring a service, an ignition occurred when a new mexico gas company (nmgc) construction crew cut into a pressurized 3/4-inch steel service with four-wheel cutters. The three-man crew (acting foreman & 2 crewmen) arrived to retire the 3/4-inch steel service and discovered that neither crew member nor the acting foreman had brought the saw to cut the asphalt to access the service tee connection and properly isolate the service for retirement. The crew decided to continue the job without returning to the shop to get the saw, and instead decided to proceed to make the repair hot with what they described as a cut and plug procedure. During the cut and plug, an ignition occurred, and one crewmen suffered first degree burns, and the other suffered first and second degree burns. Neither the acting foreman nor the crewmen reported the ignition fire or injuries until approximately 14:30 that afternoon when crewman #2 called the supervisor and reported that a flash had occurred, and he had been injured. He was told to seek medical treatment. He was seen but released by concentra. Later that afternoon, all three members of the crew reported to the office for interviews at the santa fe office at approximately 17:20 and upon discovery of the severity of their injuries, the crewmen were sent the hospital by the area manager. Both crewmen proceeded to the hospital, crewman #2 was admitted to the hospital as the result of this injuries, and crewman #1 was treated and released that evening. The incident met reportable criteria when crewman #2 was admitted to the hospital, and could not be tested for drug and alcohol due to his admittance to the hospital. The acting foreman and crewman #1 were drug and alcohol tested. Gas odorant testing was performed by nm gas at 21:11. Readings confirmed proper odorant at 0.53% gas-in-air. Crew failed to follow procedures.
Occurred At 2021-09-13 10:50:00
Year 2021
Report Received Date 2021-10-12 00:00:00
Iyear 2021.0
Report Number 20210087.0
Supplemental Number 36110.0
Report Type Supplemental Final
Operator Id 6141 PHMSA Enforcement
Name New Mexico Gas Company
Operator Street Address 7120 Wyoming Blvd N.e. Suite 20
Operator City Name Albuquerque
Operator State Abbreviation NM
Operator Postal Code 87109
Local Datetime 2021-09-13 20:00:00
Time Zone Mountain
Daylight Savings Ind No
Location Street Address 777 Canyon Road
Location City Name Santa Fe
Location County Name Santa Fe
Location State Abbreviation NM
Location Postal Code 87501
Location Latitude 35.6803838 Google Maps OpenStreetMap
Location Longitude -105.9243061 Google Maps OpenStreetMap
Flow Cont Squeeze Off Ind Yes
Nrc Rpt Datetime 2021-09-13 20:55:00
Nrc Rpt Num 1316663 NRC Report How to search
Additional Nrc Report Numbers 1317031
Commodity Released Type Natural Gas
Unintentional Release 3.8
Intentional Release 0.0
Fatality Ind No
Fatal 0
Injury Ind Yes
Num Emp Injuries 1
Num Contr Injuries 0
Num Er Injuries 0
Num Worker Injuries 0
Num Gp Injuries 0
Injure 1
Ignite Ind Yes
Ignite Datetime 2021-09-13 10:50:00
How Extinguished Operator/contractor
Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf 2.3
Explode Ind No
Num Pub Evacuated 0.0
Incident Identified Datetime 2021-09-13 10:50:00
Communication State Fed Ind No
On Site Datetime 2021-09-13 09:30:00
Federal No
Location Type Utility Right-Of-Way / Easement
Incident Area Type Underground
Incident Area Subtype Exposed Due To Excavation
Depth Of Cover 24.0
Other Underground Facilities No
Crossing No
Pipe Facility Type Investor Owned
System Part Involved Service
Installation Year 1971.0
Manufactured Year 1971.0
Customer Type Non-Residential With Meter Capacity Less Than 1,000 Scfh
Was Efv Installed Before Ind No
Curb Valve Inst Before Inc Ind No
Pipe Diameter 0.75
Pipe Specification Api 5l
Pipe Manufacturer Unknown
Material Involved Steel
Steel Seam Type Seamless
Wt Steel 0.113
Release Type Other
Release Type Details An Ignition Occurred When A New Mexico Gas Company (Nmgc) Construction Crew Cut Into A Pressurized (55 Psig) 3/4-Inch Steel Service With Four-Wheel Cutters To Isolate And Plug The Service Line For Abandonment.
Class Location Type Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid 0.0
Est Cost Prop Damage 0.0
Est Cost Emergency 0.0
Est Cost Other 0.0
Gas Cost In Mcf 15.21
Est Cost Unintentional Release 58.0
Est Cost Intentional Release 0.0
Prpty 58.0
Commercial Affected 0.0
Industrial Affected 0.0
Residences Affected 0.0
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght 1.0
Num Injured Treated By Emt 0.0
Num Resident Building Affctd 0.0
Num Business Building Affctd 0.0
Accident Psig 55.0
Normal Psig 55.0
Mop Psig 60.0
Mop Cfr Section 192.619(A)(1) View CFR 49 §192
Maop Established Date 2016-10-27 00:00:00
Accident Pressure Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Gas Odorized System Type Combination Of Odorization Types
Gas Odorized Level 0.5
Scada In Place Ind No
Accident Identifier Local Operating Personnel, Including Contractors
Operator Type Operator Employee
Investigation Status No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the incident
Employee Drug Test Ind Yes
Num Employees Tested 2
Num Employees Failed 0
Contractor Drug Test Ind No
Cause Incorrect Operation
Cause Details Other Incorrect Operation
Operation Type Other Incorrect Operation
Operation Details An Ignition Occurred When A New Mexico Gas Company (Nmgc) Construction Crew Cut Into A Pressurized (55 Psig) 3/4-Inch Steel Service With Four-Wheel Cutters To Isolate And Plug The Service Line For Abandonment. Crew Failed To Follow Procedure.
Related Failure Follow Ind Yes
Category Type Other Maintenance
Operator Qualification Ind Yes
Qualified Individuals Yes, They Were Qualified For The Task(S)
Preparer Name A***** M*******
Preparer Title Pipeline Safety Management Systems Manager
Preparer Email A**************@n****.com
Preparer Telephone 505-697-3518
Local Contact Name A***** M*******
Local Contact Email A**************@n****.com
Local Contact Telephone 505-427-6343
Authorizer Name T** B******
Authorizer Title Vp Eng-Gas Mgmt-Tech Services
Authorizer Telephone 505-697-3599
Authorizer Email T**********@n****.com
Narrative On 9/13/2021 at 10:50 am, while a crew was isolating and retiring a service, an ignition occurred when a new mexico gas company (nmgc) construction crew cut into a pressurized 3/4-inch steel service with four-wheel cutters. The three-man crew (acting foreman & 2 crewmen) arrived to retire the 3/4-inch steel service and discovered that neither crew member nor the acting foreman had brought the saw to cut the asphalt to access the service tee connection and properly isolate the service for retirement. The crew decided to continue the job without returning to the shop to get the saw, and instead decided to proceed to make the repair hot with what they described as a cut and plug procedure. During the cut and plug, an ignition occurred, and one crewmen suffered first degree burns, and the other suffered first and second degree burns. Neither the acting foreman nor the crewmen reported the ignition fire or injuries until approximately 14:30 that afternoon when crewman #2 called the supervisor and reported that a flash had occurred, and he had been injured. He was told to seek medical treatment. He was seen but released by concentra. Later that afternoon, all three members of the crew reported to the office for interviews at the santa fe office at approximately 17:20 and upon discovery of the severity of their injuries, the crewmen were sent the hospital by the area manager. Both crewmen proceeded to the hospital, crewman #2 was admitted to the hospital as the result of this injuries, and crewman #1 was treated and released that evening. The incident met reportable criteria when crewman #2 was admitted to the hospital, and could not be tested for drug and alcohol due to his admittance to the hospital. The acting foreman and crewman #1 were drug and alcohol tested. Gas odorant testing was performed by nm gas at 21:11. Readings confirmed proper odorant at 0.53% gas-in-air. Crew failed to follow procedures.

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