Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2021-12-01 — AL
Operator
Clarke - Mobile Counties Gas Dist
Cause
Incorrect Operation
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
1 injury
Property damage (nominal)
$134
Incident datetime
2021-12-01 11:23
Report number
Location
AL, WASHINGTON
Narrative
Reportable incident narrative on 1 december 2021, at approximately 11:23 hours, a cmc gas crew commissioning a new 2-inch mdpe main of approximately 6,100 lf experienced an unexpected incident where the venting gas ignited, injuring one employee. Injuries consisted of non-life-threatening burns on his upper body. A 2.0 x 0.75-inch, high-volume tap was installed on the outlet end of the pipeline segment. Natural gas was introduced into the pipeline segment from the supply end of the pipeline from a "farm tap" regulator station. Gas flowed, pushing the air out of the pipeline for approximately 8 minutes. At approximately the 8-minute mark of the purge, the purge technician (tech 1) on the site approached the tap tee where gas was venting. As tech 1 reached for the tap, an unexpected ignition of the gas occurred. Before being able to remove himself from the flash, tech 1 received minor burns on the face and arm areas. The fire-watch technician (tech 3) notified the technician operating the supply valve (tech 2) of the incident and requested the supply valve be closed. As the volume of gas in the pipe diminished, the tech 3 extinguished the small flame. Approximate 5 minutes elapsed from the time of ignition until the flame was extinguished. On-site personnel notified the construction and maintenance manager, who notified other management. On site personnel transported the injured technician to the local hospital emergency room, approximately 3 miles away. Tech 1 was treated and transported to university hospital in mobile, alabama, where he was admitted for further treatment and observation. Cmc gas personnel placed a pipe squeeze device on the 2-inch mdpe pipe until the pipe was cut and capped. Upon notification of the hospitalization of tech 1 at 17:24 hours, the compliance manager notified the alabama public service commission, pipeline safety division of the incident, and the national response center. This call was made at 17:43 hours. Tech 1 was released from the university hospital on december 8th and was subsequently released to return to work on 20 december 2021. At the time of this report, the investigation has revealed the following: 1) the believed source of ignition was static electricity. A. At the time of the ignition, the ambient air relative humidity was reported at 20% b. At the time of the ignition, the ambient air temperature was reported at 72 degrees fahrenheit. 2) the utilized grounding techniques (to mitigate static electricity) were inconsistent with cmc gas policy. 3) inconsistent with cmc gas policy, tech 1 failed to employ a vent stack on the vent outlet to direct the gas flow upward. 4) tech 2 (the valve operator on the supply end of the pipeline) was determined to be working outside his operator qualification. 5) tech 1, who was also monitoring the purge of gas did not employ a combustible gas meter (cgi) or a personal protective atmospheric meter, inconsistent with cmc gas policy. 6) tech 1 did not don the fire-resistant clothing and other personal protective equipment (ppe) which were provided by cmc gas and is cmc gas standard procedure. Mitigative measures taken to prevent recurrence: 1) all relevant members of the 12/01/21 incident crew have been disqualified, retrained, and requalified on relevant oq tasks. 2) all relevant members of the 12/01/21 incident crew have attended a policy, static mitigation, and ppe review session. 3) internal disciplinary actions taken as relevant.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2021-12-01 11:23:00
Year
2021
Report Received Date
2021-12-31 00:00:00
Iyear
2021.0
Report Number
20210108.0
Supplemental Number
36350.0
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
2456
Name
Clarke - Mobile Counties Gas Dist
Operator Street Address
2003 College Avenue P.o. Box 608
Operator City Name
Jackson
Operator State Abbreviation
AL
Operator Postal Code
36545
Local Datetime
2021-12-01 17:24:00
Time Zone
Central
Daylight Savings Ind
No
Location Street Address
1177 Abb Road
Location City Name
Chatom
Location County Name
Washington
Location State Abbreviation
AL
Location Postal Code
36518
Location Latitude
31.441874
Location Longitude
-88.197026
Flow Cont Meter Reg Ind
Yes
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2021-12-01 17:43:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1323379
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
0.126
Intentional Release
0.126
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
2021-12-01 11:23:00
How Extinguished
Operator/contractor
Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf
0.12
Explode Ind
No
Num Pub Evacuated
0.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2021-12-01 11:23:00
Communication State Fed Ind
No
On Site Datetime
2021-12-01 11:23:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Public Property
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Exposed Due To Excavation
Depth Of Cover
18.0
Other Underground Facilities
No
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Municipally Owned
System Part Involved
Main
Installation Year
2021.0
Manufactured Year
2021.0
Pipe Diameter
2.0
Pipe Specification
Astm D2513
Pipe Manufacturer
Driscoplex
Material Involved
Plastic
Plastic Type
Polyethylene (Pe)
Plastic Sdr
11
Material Pe Pipe Code
2708
Release Type
Other
Release Type Details
Controlled Release / Purging Operations.
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
0.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
134.0
Est Cost Emergency
107.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Gas Cost In Mcf
4.525
Est Cost Unintentional Release
1.0
Est Cost Intentional Release
1.0
Prpty
243.0
Commercial Affected
0.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
0.0
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght
0.0
Num Injured Treated By Emt
0.0
Num Resident Building Affctd
0.0
Num Business Building Affctd
0.0
Accident Psig
5.0
Normal Psig
5.0
Mop Psig
60.0
Mop Cfr Section
192.619(A)(2)
Maop Established Date
2021-11-24 00:00:00
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Gas Odorized System Type
Injection Pump
Gas Odorized Level
0.6
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
4
Num Employees Failed
0
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Incorrect Operation
Cause Details
Other Incorrect Operation
Operation Type
Other Incorrect Operation
Operation Details
The Utilized Grounding Techniques (To Mitigate Static Electricity) Were Inconsistent With Cmc Gas Policy. Inconsistent With Cmc Gas Policy, Tech 1 Failed To Employ A Vent Stack On The Vent Outlet To Direct The Gas Flow Upward. (See Narrative)
Related Failure Follow Ind
Yes
Category Type
Commissioning
Operator Qualification Ind
Yes
Qualified Individuals
No, But They Were Performing The Task(S) Under The Direction And Observation Of A Qualified Individual
Preparer Name
M*** S*****
Preparer Title
Compliance Manager
Preparer Email
M******@c*****.com
Preparer Telephone
2512462428
Local Contact Name
M*** S*****
Local Contact Email
M******@c*****.com
Local Contact Telephone
2512462428
Authorizer Name
M*** S*****
Authorizer Title
Compliance Manager
Authorizer Telephone
2512462428
Authorizer Email
M******@c*****.com
Narrative
Reportable incident narrative on 1 december 2021, at approximately 11:23 hours, a cmc gas crew commissioning a new 2-inch mdpe main of approximately 6,100 lf experienced an unexpected incident where the venting gas ignited, injuring one employee. Injuries consisted of non-life-threatening burns on his upper body. A 2.0 x 0.75-inch, high-volume tap was installed on the outlet end of the pipeline segment. Natural gas was introduced into the pipeline segment from the supply end of the pipeline from a "farm tap" regulator station. Gas flowed, pushing the air out of the pipeline for approximately 8 minutes. At approximately the 8-minute mark of the purge, the purge technician (tech 1) on the site approached the tap tee where gas was venting. As tech 1 reached for the tap, an unexpected ignition of the gas occurred. Before being able to remove himself from the flash, tech 1 received minor burns on the face and arm areas. The fire-watch technician (tech 3) notified the technician operating the supply valve (tech 2) of the incident and requested the supply valve be closed. As the volume of gas in the pipe diminished, the tech 3 extinguished the small flame. Approximate 5 minutes elapsed from the time of ignition until the flame was extinguished. On-site personnel notified the construction and maintenance manager, who notified other management. On site personnel transported the injured technician to the local hospital emergency room, approximately 3 miles away. Tech 1 was treated and transported to university hospital in mobile, alabama, where he was admitted for further treatment and observation. Cmc gas personnel placed a pipe squeeze device on the 2-inch mdpe pipe until the pipe was cut and capped. Upon notification of the hospitalization of tech 1 at 17:24 hours, the compliance manager notified the alabama public service commission, pipeline safety division of the incident, and the national response center. This call was made at 17:43 hours. Tech 1 was released from the university hospital on december 8th and was subsequently released to return to work on 20 december 2021. At the time of this report, the investigation has revealed the following: 1) the believed source of ignition was static electricity. A. At the time of the ignition, the ambient air relative humidity was reported at 20% b. At the time of the ignition, the ambient air temperature was reported at 72 degrees fahrenheit. 2) the utilized grounding techniques (to mitigate static electricity) were inconsistent with cmc gas policy. 3) inconsistent with cmc gas policy, tech 1 failed to employ a vent stack on the vent outlet to direct the gas flow upward. 4) tech 2 (the valve operator on the supply end of the pipeline) was determined to be working outside his operator qualification. 5) tech 1, who was also monitoring the purge of gas did not employ a combustible gas meter (cgi) or a personal protective atmospheric meter, inconsistent with cmc gas policy. 6) tech 1 did not don the fire-resistant clothing and other personal protective equipment (ppe) which were provided by cmc gas and is cmc gas standard procedure. Mitigative measures taken to prevent recurrence: 1) all relevant members of the 12/01/21 incident crew have been disqualified, retrained, and requalified on relevant oq tasks. 2) all relevant members of the 12/01/21 incident crew have attended a policy, static mitigation, and ppe review session. 3) internal disciplinary actions taken as relevant.
| Occurred At | 2021-12-01 11:23:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2021 |
| Report Received Date | 2021-12-31 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2021.0 |
| Report Number | 20210108.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 36350.0 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 2456 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Clarke - Mobile Counties Gas Dist |
| Operator Street Address | 2003 College Avenue P.o. Box 608 |
| Operator City Name | Jackson |
| Operator State Abbreviation | AL |
| Operator Postal Code | 36545 |
| Local Datetime | 2021-12-01 17:24:00 |
| Time Zone | Central |
| Daylight Savings Ind | No |
| Location Street Address | 1177 Abb Road |
| Location City Name | Chatom |
| Location County Name | Washington |
| Location State Abbreviation | AL |
| Location Postal Code | 36518 |
| Location Latitude | 31.441874 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -88.197026 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Flow Cont Meter Reg Ind | Yes |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2021-12-01 17:43:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1323379 NRC Report How to search |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 0.126 |
| Intentional Release | 0.126 |
| 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 | 2021-12-01 11:23:00 |
| How Extinguished | Operator/contractor |
| Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf | 0.12 |
| Explode Ind | No |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 0.0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2021-12-01 11:23:00 |
| Communication State Fed Ind | No |
| On Site Datetime | 2021-12-01 11:23:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Public Property |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Exposed Due To Excavation |
| Depth Of Cover | 18.0 |
| Other Underground Facilities | No |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Municipally Owned |
| System Part Involved | Main |
| Installation Year | 2021.0 |
| Manufactured Year | 2021.0 |
| Pipe Diameter | 2.0 |
| Pipe Specification | Astm D2513 |
| Pipe Manufacturer | Driscoplex |
| Material Involved | Plastic |
| Plastic Type | Polyethylene (Pe) |
| Plastic Sdr | 11 |
| Material Pe Pipe Code | 2708 |
| Release Type | Other |
| Release Type Details | Controlled Release / Purging Operations. |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 134.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 107.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Gas Cost In Mcf | 4.525 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 1.0 |
| Est Cost Intentional Release | 1.0 |
| Prpty | 243.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 0.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 0.0 |
| Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght | 0.0 |
| Num Injured Treated By Emt | 0.0 |
| Num Resident Building Affctd | 0.0 |
| Num Business Building Affctd | 0.0 |
| Accident Psig | 5.0 |
| Normal Psig | 5.0 |
| Mop Psig | 60.0 |
| Mop Cfr Section | 192.619(A)(2) View CFR 49 §192 |
| Maop Established Date | 2021-11-24 00:00:00 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Gas Odorized System Type | Injection Pump |
| Gas Odorized Level | 0.6 |
| 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 | 4 |
| Num Employees Failed | 0 |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Incorrect Operation |
| Cause Details | Other Incorrect Operation |
| Operation Type | Other Incorrect Operation |
| Operation Details | The Utilized Grounding Techniques (To Mitigate Static Electricity) Were Inconsistent With Cmc Gas Policy. Inconsistent With Cmc Gas Policy, Tech 1 Failed To Employ A Vent Stack On The Vent Outlet To Direct The Gas Flow Upward. (See Narrative) |
| Related Failure Follow Ind | Yes |
| Category Type | Commissioning |
| Operator Qualification Ind | Yes |
| Qualified Individuals | No, But They Were Performing The Task(S) Under The Direction And Observation Of A Qualified Individual |
| Preparer Name | M*** S***** |
| Preparer Title | Compliance Manager |
| Preparer Email | M******@c*****.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 2512462428 |
| Local Contact Name | M*** S***** |
| Local Contact Email | M******@c*****.com |
| Local Contact Telephone | 2512462428 |
| Authorizer Name | M*** S***** |
| Authorizer Title | Compliance Manager |
| Authorizer Telephone | 2512462428 |
| Authorizer Email | M******@c*****.com |
| Narrative | Reportable incident narrative on 1 december 2021, at approximately 11:23 hours, a cmc gas crew commissioning a new 2-inch mdpe main of approximately 6,100 lf experienced an unexpected incident where the venting gas ignited, injuring one employee. Injuries consisted of non-life-threatening burns on his upper body. A 2.0 x 0.75-inch, high-volume tap was installed on the outlet end of the pipeline segment. Natural gas was introduced into the pipeline segment from the supply end of the pipeline from a "farm tap" regulator station. Gas flowed, pushing the air out of the pipeline for approximately 8 minutes. At approximately the 8-minute mark of the purge, the purge technician (tech 1) on the site approached the tap tee where gas was venting. As tech 1 reached for the tap, an unexpected ignition of the gas occurred. Before being able to remove himself from the flash, tech 1 received minor burns on the face and arm areas. The fire-watch technician (tech 3) notified the technician operating the supply valve (tech 2) of the incident and requested the supply valve be closed. As the volume of gas in the pipe diminished, the tech 3 extinguished the small flame. Approximate 5 minutes elapsed from the time of ignition until the flame was extinguished. On-site personnel notified the construction and maintenance manager, who notified other management. On site personnel transported the injured technician to the local hospital emergency room, approximately 3 miles away. Tech 1 was treated and transported to university hospital in mobile, alabama, where he was admitted for further treatment and observation. Cmc gas personnel placed a pipe squeeze device on the 2-inch mdpe pipe until the pipe was cut and capped. Upon notification of the hospitalization of tech 1 at 17:24 hours, the compliance manager notified the alabama public service commission, pipeline safety division of the incident, and the national response center. This call was made at 17:43 hours. Tech 1 was released from the university hospital on december 8th and was subsequently released to return to work on 20 december 2021. At the time of this report, the investigation has revealed the following: 1) the believed source of ignition was static electricity. A. At the time of the ignition, the ambient air relative humidity was reported at 20% b. At the time of the ignition, the ambient air temperature was reported at 72 degrees fahrenheit. 2) the utilized grounding techniques (to mitigate static electricity) were inconsistent with cmc gas policy. 3) inconsistent with cmc gas policy, tech 1 failed to employ a vent stack on the vent outlet to direct the gas flow upward. 4) tech 2 (the valve operator on the supply end of the pipeline) was determined to be working outside his operator qualification. 5) tech 1, who was also monitoring the purge of gas did not employ a combustible gas meter (cgi) or a personal protective atmospheric meter, inconsistent with cmc gas policy. 6) tech 1 did not don the fire-resistant clothing and other personal protective equipment (ppe) which were provided by cmc gas and is cmc gas standard procedure. Mitigative measures taken to prevent recurrence: 1) all relevant members of the 12/01/21 incident crew have been disqualified, retrained, and requalified on relevant oq tasks. 2) all relevant members of the 12/01/21 incident crew have attended a policy, static mitigation, and ppe review session. 3) internal disciplinary actions taken as relevant. |
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