Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2022-12-13 — PA
Operator
Ugi Utilities, Inc
Cause
Excavation Issue
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
0 fatalities
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$25,000
Incident datetime
2022-12-13 09:07
Report number
Location
PA, DAUPHIN
Narrative
On 12/12/2022 at 13:17, ugi received an emergency excavation ticket ("ticket") (serial # 20223461851) through the pennsylvania one call system, issued by an excavator, pronto plumbing, with a proposed dig date of 08:00 on 12/13/22 at 3204 crest road, harrisburg (the "property"). Ugi responded through the one call system on 12/12/22 at 13:18 stating: "conflict lines nearby direct contact to follow by facility owner". The ugi dispatcher mistakenly assigned the ticket to a contractor that does not perform emergency locates. On 12/13/2022 at 09:06:20, the fire department was dispatched to the property due to a line hit. At 09:07:09, excavator placed a re-notify ticket through the one call system. At 09:07:46, ugi dispatch received a call from dauphin county 911, regarding a hit gas line at the property. Ugi responded to the re-notify ticket at 9:09 stating: "conflict lines nearby direct contact to follow by facility owner". Ugi dispatched the closest available qualified first responder based on the call received by dispatch, who arrived at 9:25. At 9:30, an explosion occurred at the property. The line hit resulted when excavator, who was working for the property owner, began digging with a backhoe near the front wall of the property on 12/13/22 to repair a blocked sewer service line. Excavator began digging before ugi's locator arrived to complete the re-notify ticket and before ugi was able to contact excavator to discuss the facility conflicts. The residents at the property were evacuated prior to the explosion. The explosion injured ugi's first responder and a resident of an adjacent home. Both individuals were treated at a hospital and released the same day. The situation was made safe by closing the main line valve at the end of the street, shutting off gas to 14 customers. *on august 14, 2025 ugi is filing this supplemental and final report to close out this incident. As set forth in the timeline of events as described above, the excavator�s renotification ticket was submitted after the excavator had already struck and damaged the gas service line. Ugi received an emergency excavation ticket on 12/12/2022 at 13:17. Ugi responded to this request through its ticket management system the same day at 13:18 remarking "conflict lines nearby direct contact to follow by facility owner". While ugi avers the facilities were not marked by the time the excavator began digging, the excavator was made aware the day prior of facility conflicts and had visual indications of ugi�s gas meter and service piping exiting the foundation wall of the basement which was approximately 6.5� laterally from the sewer clean out. The excavator began excavation through the use of mechanical excavation equipment (backhoe) without exercising due care, as required in pennsylvania through the 2017 underground utility line protection law (act 50). The excavator did not have sufficient information to safely use mechanical excavation equipment to excavate at this location and otherwise did not employ prudent excavation techniques such as hand dug test holes, vacuum excavations, or similar devices. As a result, ugi's service line was struck and pulled by the homeowner�s subcontractor excavator at a point approximately 6 feet from the structure�s foundation wall. When the service was struck, it not only damaged the service at the point of contact but also induced fracture within its threaded connection inside the basement and pulled the service away from the inside meter and regulator assembly. The fractured service line was simultaneously pulled into the foundation wall sleeve and remained within the foundation wall allowing pressurized natural gas to escape into the basement.
Detailed record list
Occurred At
2022-12-13 09:07:00
Year
2022
Report Received Date
2023-01-12 00:00:00
Iyear
2022.0
Report Number
20230002.0
Supplemental Number
41251.0
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
20010
Name
Ugi Utilities, Inc
Operator Street Address
1 Ugi Drive
Operator City Name
Denver
Operator State Abbreviation
PA
Operator Postal Code
17517
Local Datetime
2022-12-13 09:30:00
Time Zone
Eastern
Daylight Savings Ind
No
Location Street Address
3204 Crest Road
Location City Name
Harrisburg
Location County Name
Dauphin
Location State Abbreviation
PA
Location Postal Code
17109
Location Latitude
40.29228
Location Longitude
-76.84799
Flow Cont Main Valve Ind
Yes
Nrc Rpt Datetime
2022-12-13 10:39:00
Nrc Rpt Num
1354879
Additional Nrc Report Numbers
1355040
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
42.1
Intentional Release
0.0
Fatality Ind
No
Fatal
0
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Ignite Ind
Yes
Ignite Datetime
2022-12-13 09:30:00
How Extinguished
Local/state/federal Emergency Responder
Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf
42.1
Explode Ind
Yes
Num Pub Evacuated
11.0
Incident Identified Datetime
2022-12-13 09:07:00
On Site Datetime
2022-12-13 09:25:00
Confirmed Discovery Datetime
2022-12-13 09:25:00
Federal
No
Location Type
Private Property
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Other
Incident Area Details
Exposed Due To Excavation
Depth Of Cover
42.0
Other Underground Facilities
No
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Investor Owned
System Part Involved
Other
System Part Details
Service W/inside Meter
Installation Year
1958.0
Material Involved
Steel
Steel Seam Type
Furnace Butt Welded
Wt Steel
0.105
Release Type
Other
Release Type Details
When The Service Was Struck, The Excavator Damaged The Service At The Point Of Contact And The Damage Also Induced Fracture Within The Threaded Service Line Connection Inside The Basement And Pulled The Service Line Away From The Inside Meter And Regulator Assembly. The Fractured Service Line Was Simultaneously Pulled Into The Foundation Wall Sleeve And Remained Within The Foundation Wall Allowing Pressurized Natural Gas To Escape Into The Basement.
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
1060000.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
25000.0
Est Cost Emergency
11000.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Gas Cost In Mcf
9.17
Est Cost Unintentional Release
386.0
Est Cost Intentional Release
0.0
Prpty
1096386.0
Commercial Affected
0.0
Industrial Affected
0.0
Residences Affected
14.0
Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght
2.0
Num Injured Treated By Emt
0.0
Num Resident Building Affctd
23.0
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
1958-07-23 00:00:00
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Gas Odorized System Type
Odorized By Others
Gas Odorized Level
15.8
Scada In Place Ind
Yes
Scada Operating Ind
Yes
Scada Functional Ind
Yes
Scada Detection Ind
No
Scada Conf Ind
No
Accident Identifier
Notification From Emergency Responder
Investigation Status
No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate)
Investigation Status Details
Facility was hit by excavator. Gas control did not have an impact on this incident.
Employee Drug Test Ind
Yes
Num Employees Tested
4
Num Employees Failed
0
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Excavation Damage
Cause Details
Excavation Damage By Third Party
Ex Party Type
Excavation Damage By Third Party
Prior Notification Ind
Yes
One Call System Ind
Yes
State Law Exempt Ind
No
Notify Cga Dirt
No
Private Row Ind
Yes
Private Subtype
Private Landowner
Joint Trench Ind
No
Cross Bore Ind
No
Depth Of Grade
Measured Depth From Grade
Depth Of Grade Detail
42
Excavator Type
Contractor
Excavator Equipment
Backhoe/trackhoe
Work Performed
Sewer (Sanitary/storm)
One Call Notified Ind
Yes
One Call Ticket Num
20223461851
White Lined Ind
Yes
Locator Type
Facility Owner
Visible Marks
No
Service Interruption
Yes
Service Interruption Hours
12.0
Root Cause Category
Excavation Issue
Root Cause Type
Improper Excavation Practice Not Listed Above
Preparer Name
C*** R*****
Preparer Title
Engineer Ii
Preparer Email
C******@u**.com
Preparer Telephone
484 577-6666
Local Contact Name
J*** T*****
Local Contact Email
J*****@u**.com
Local Contact Telephone
717 675 4606
Authorizer Name
P** J*****
Authorizer Title
Vp Ehs And Technical Support
Authorizer Telephone
484-824-5508
Authorizer Email
P******@u**.com
Narrative
On 12/12/2022 at 13:17, ugi received an emergency excavation ticket ("ticket") (serial # 20223461851) through the pennsylvania one call system, issued by an excavator, pronto plumbing, with a proposed dig date of 08:00 on 12/13/22 at 3204 crest road, harrisburg (the "property"). Ugi responded through the one call system on 12/12/22 at 13:18 stating: "conflict lines nearby direct contact to follow by facility owner". The ugi dispatcher mistakenly assigned the ticket to a contractor that does not perform emergency locates. On 12/13/2022 at 09:06:20, the fire department was dispatched to the property due to a line hit. At 09:07:09, excavator placed a re-notify ticket through the one call system. At 09:07:46, ugi dispatch received a call from dauphin county 911, regarding a hit gas line at the property. Ugi responded to the re-notify ticket at 9:09 stating: "conflict lines nearby direct contact to follow by facility owner". Ugi dispatched the closest available qualified first responder based on the call received by dispatch, who arrived at 9:25. At 9:30, an explosion occurred at the property. The line hit resulted when excavator, who was working for the property owner, began digging with a backhoe near the front wall of the property on 12/13/22 to repair a blocked sewer service line. Excavator began digging before ugi's locator arrived to complete the re-notify ticket and before ugi was able to contact excavator to discuss the facility conflicts. The residents at the property were evacuated prior to the explosion. The explosion injured ugi's first responder and a resident of an adjacent home. Both individuals were treated at a hospital and released the same day. The situation was made safe by closing the main line valve at the end of the street, shutting off gas to 14 customers. *on august 14, 2025 ugi is filing this supplemental and final report to close out this incident. As set forth in the timeline of events as described above, the excavator�s renotification ticket was submitted after the excavator had already struck and damaged the gas service line. Ugi received an emergency excavation ticket on 12/12/2022 at 13:17. Ugi responded to this request through its ticket management system the same day at 13:18 remarking "conflict lines nearby direct contact to follow by facility owner". While ugi avers the facilities were not marked by the time the excavator began digging, the excavator was made aware the day prior of facility conflicts and had visual indications of ugi�s gas meter and service piping exiting the foundation wall of the basement which was approximately 6.5� laterally from the sewer clean out. The excavator began excavation through the use of mechanical excavation equipment (backhoe) without exercising due care, as required in pennsylvania through the 2017 underground utility line protection law (act 50). The excavator did not have sufficient information to safely use mechanical excavation equipment to excavate at this location and otherwise did not employ prudent excavation techniques such as hand dug test holes, vacuum excavations, or similar devices. As a result, ugi's service line was struck and pulled by the homeowner�s subcontractor excavator at a point approximately 6 feet from the structure�s foundation wall. When the service was struck, it not only damaged the service at the point of contact but also induced fracture within its threaded connection inside the basement and pulled the service away from the inside meter and regulator assembly. The fractured service line was simultaneously pulled into the foundation wall sleeve and remained within the foundation wall allowing pressurized natural gas to escape into the basement.
| Occurred At | 2022-12-13 09:07:00 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2022 |
| Report Received Date | 2023-01-12 00:00:00 |
| Iyear | 2022.0 |
| Report Number | 20230002.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 41251.0 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 20010 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Ugi Utilities, Inc |
| Operator Street Address | 1 Ugi Drive |
| Operator City Name | Denver |
| Operator State Abbreviation | PA |
| Operator Postal Code | 17517 |
| Local Datetime | 2022-12-13 09:30:00 |
| Time Zone | Eastern |
| Daylight Savings Ind | No |
| Location Street Address | 3204 Crest Road |
| Location City Name | Harrisburg |
| Location County Name | Dauphin |
| Location State Abbreviation | PA |
| Location Postal Code | 17109 |
| Location Latitude | 40.29228 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -76.84799 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Flow Cont Main Valve Ind | Yes |
| Nrc Rpt Datetime | 2022-12-13 10:39:00 |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1354879 NRC Report How to search |
| Additional Nrc Report Numbers | 1355040 |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 42.1 |
| Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Fatality Ind | No |
| Fatal | 0 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Ignite Ind | Yes |
| Ignite Datetime | 2022-12-13 09:30:00 |
| How Extinguished | Local/state/federal Emergency Responder |
| Gas Consumed By Fire In Mcf | 42.1 |
| Explode Ind | Yes |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 11.0 |
| Incident Identified Datetime | 2022-12-13 09:07:00 |
| On Site Datetime | 2022-12-13 09:25:00 |
| Confirmed Discovery Datetime | 2022-12-13 09:25:00 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Private Property |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Other |
| Incident Area Details | Exposed Due To Excavation |
| Depth Of Cover | 42.0 |
| Other Underground Facilities | No |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Investor Owned |
| System Part Involved | Other |
| System Part Details | Service W/inside Meter |
| Installation Year | 1958.0 |
| Material Involved | Steel |
| Steel Seam Type | Furnace Butt Welded |
| Wt Steel | 0.105 |
| Release Type | Other |
| Release Type Details | When The Service Was Struck, The Excavator Damaged The Service At The Point Of Contact And The Damage Also Induced Fracture Within The Threaded Service Line Connection Inside The Basement And Pulled The Service Line Away From The Inside Meter And Regulator Assembly. The Fractured Service Line Was Simultaneously Pulled Into The Foundation Wall Sleeve And Remained Within The Foundation Wall Allowing Pressurized Natural Gas To Escape Into The Basement. |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 1060000.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 25000.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 11000.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Gas Cost In Mcf | 9.17 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 386.0 |
| Est Cost Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Prpty | 1096386.0 |
| Commercial Affected | 0.0 |
| Industrial Affected | 0.0 |
| Residences Affected | 14.0 |
| Num Persons Hosp Not Ovnght | 2.0 |
| Num Injured Treated By Emt | 0.0 |
| Num Resident Building Affctd | 23.0 |
| 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 | 1958-07-23 00:00:00 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Gas Odorized System Type | Odorized By Others |
| Gas Odorized Level | 15.8 |
| Scada In Place Ind | Yes |
| Scada Operating Ind | Yes |
| Scada Functional Ind | Yes |
| Scada Detection Ind | No |
| Scada Conf Ind | No |
| Accident Identifier | Notification From Emergency Responder |
| Investigation Status | No, the operator did not find that an investigation of the controller(s) actions or control room issues was necessary due to: (provide an explanation for why the operator did not investigate) |
| Investigation Status Details | Facility was hit by excavator. Gas control did not have an impact on this incident. |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | Yes |
| Num Employees Tested | 4 |
| Num Employees Failed | 0 |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Excavation Damage |
| Cause Details | Excavation Damage By Third Party |
| Ex Party Type | Excavation Damage By Third Party |
| Prior Notification Ind | Yes |
| One Call System Ind | Yes |
| State Law Exempt Ind | No |
| Notify Cga Dirt | No |
| Private Row Ind | Yes |
| Private Subtype | Private Landowner |
| Joint Trench Ind | No |
| Cross Bore Ind | No |
| Depth Of Grade | Measured Depth From Grade |
| Depth Of Grade Detail | 42 |
| Excavator Type | Contractor |
| Excavator Equipment | Backhoe/trackhoe |
| Work Performed | Sewer (Sanitary/storm) |
| One Call Notified Ind | Yes |
| One Call Ticket Num | 20223461851 |
| White Lined Ind | Yes |
| Locator Type | Facility Owner |
| Visible Marks | No |
| Service Interruption | Yes |
| Service Interruption Hours | 12.0 |
| Root Cause Category | Excavation Issue |
| Root Cause Type | Improper Excavation Practice Not Listed Above |
| Preparer Name | C*** R***** |
| Preparer Title | Engineer Ii |
| Preparer Email | C******@u**.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 484 577-6666 |
| Local Contact Name | J*** T***** |
| Local Contact Email | J*****@u**.com |
| Local Contact Telephone | 717 675 4606 |
| Authorizer Name | P** J***** |
| Authorizer Title | Vp Ehs And Technical Support |
| Authorizer Telephone | 484-824-5508 |
| Authorizer Email | P******@u**.com |
| Narrative | On 12/12/2022 at 13:17, ugi received an emergency excavation ticket ("ticket") (serial # 20223461851) through the pennsylvania one call system, issued by an excavator, pronto plumbing, with a proposed dig date of 08:00 on 12/13/22 at 3204 crest road, harrisburg (the "property"). Ugi responded through the one call system on 12/12/22 at 13:18 stating: "conflict lines nearby direct contact to follow by facility owner". The ugi dispatcher mistakenly assigned the ticket to a contractor that does not perform emergency locates. On 12/13/2022 at 09:06:20, the fire department was dispatched to the property due to a line hit. At 09:07:09, excavator placed a re-notify ticket through the one call system. At 09:07:46, ugi dispatch received a call from dauphin county 911, regarding a hit gas line at the property. Ugi responded to the re-notify ticket at 9:09 stating: "conflict lines nearby direct contact to follow by facility owner". Ugi dispatched the closest available qualified first responder based on the call received by dispatch, who arrived at 9:25. At 9:30, an explosion occurred at the property. The line hit resulted when excavator, who was working for the property owner, began digging with a backhoe near the front wall of the property on 12/13/22 to repair a blocked sewer service line. Excavator began digging before ugi's locator arrived to complete the re-notify ticket and before ugi was able to contact excavator to discuss the facility conflicts. The residents at the property were evacuated prior to the explosion. The explosion injured ugi's first responder and a resident of an adjacent home. Both individuals were treated at a hospital and released the same day. The situation was made safe by closing the main line valve at the end of the street, shutting off gas to 14 customers. *on august 14, 2025 ugi is filing this supplemental and final report to close out this incident. As set forth in the timeline of events as described above, the excavator�s renotification ticket was submitted after the excavator had already struck and damaged the gas service line. Ugi received an emergency excavation ticket on 12/12/2022 at 13:17. Ugi responded to this request through its ticket management system the same day at 13:18 remarking "conflict lines nearby direct contact to follow by facility owner". While ugi avers the facilities were not marked by the time the excavator began digging, the excavator was made aware the day prior of facility conflicts and had visual indications of ugi�s gas meter and service piping exiting the foundation wall of the basement which was approximately 6.5� laterally from the sewer clean out. The excavator began excavation through the use of mechanical excavation equipment (backhoe) without exercising due care, as required in pennsylvania through the 2017 underground utility line protection law (act 50). The excavator did not have sufficient information to safely use mechanical excavation equipment to excavate at this location and otherwise did not employ prudent excavation techniques such as hand dug test holes, vacuum excavations, or similar devices. As a result, ugi's service line was struck and pulled by the homeowner�s subcontractor excavator at a point approximately 6 feet from the structure�s foundation wall. When the service was struck, it not only damaged the service at the point of contact but also induced fracture within its threaded connection inside the basement and pulled the service away from the inside meter and regulator assembly. The fractured service line was simultaneously pulled into the foundation wall sleeve and remained within the foundation wall allowing pressurized natural gas to escape into the basement. |
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