Incident details
Operator, cause, commodity and consequences with raw source fields.
GD incident on 2024-05-10 — GA
Operator
Atlanta Gas Light Co
Cause
Incorrect Operation
Commodity
Natural Gas
Program
GD
Damage and Injuries
1 fatality
0 injuries
Property damage (nominal)
$300
Incident datetime
2024-05-10 00:00 UTC
Report number
Location
GA, WAYNE
Narrative
On april 15, 2024, an agl employee was dispatched in response to an outside odor complaint at 2175 savannah highway, jesup, ga ('premise'). According to the homeowner, the employee determined that the 3/4' plug on the outlet of the service riser valve was leaking above ground. Upon information and belief, because there was no meter at this premise, the employee planned to eliminate the above-ground leak by squeezing, cutting and capping the riser piping below ground. At approximately 17:05-17:10 hours, the homeowner found the employee unresponsive and called 911. According to the city of jesup fire department, the employee was found lying on the ground with his upper body in the excavation hole that he had presumedly dug and gas blowing in the hole. Wayne county ems transported the employee to wayne memorial hospital, where the employee was pronounced deceased. An autopsy later determined that death was accidental, and the cause of death was 'vitiated atmosphere of natural gas'. Agl was contacted by 911 at 17:23 hours and dispatched additional agl personnel to the premises. Upon their arrival, agl personnel found that the employee had been taken to the hospital and a hole measuring approximately 3 feet deep and 14 inches by 16 inches in diameter and gas blowing from a cut to the below-ground polyethylene (pe) portion (pigtail) of the riser. Agl personnel excavated approximately 20 feet from the blowing gas and squeezed off the service line to stop the leak. The company does not know exactly what occurred after the employee squeezed and cut the polyethylene (pe) portion (pigtail) of the riser that led to his death, but at some point, the squeezers came off the polyethylene (pe) piping (the employee's squeezers were found at the bottom of the excavation), resulting in blowing gas. It is possible that the squeezers accidentally came off, though the company has no indication that the squeezers failed. It is also possible that the employee loosened the squeezers to adjust their location. Post-incident, the company determined that the amount of polyethylene (pe) piping between the squeeze point and the cut was insufficient to install a stab fitting. The company does not know whether the employee was in the hole when the gas started blowing or if he chose to enter the hole knowing there was blowing gas. The service line was operating at a pressure of 55 psig. Agl initially notified the national response center (nrc) under nrc report number 1396518. Additional nrc report number 1396669 was created for the same event after a supplemental call was placed with the nrc to update the initial telephonic notice.
Detailed record list
Report Received Date
2024-05-10 00:00:00
Iyear
2024.0
Report Number
20240032.0
Supplemental Number
40252.0
Report Type
Supplemental Final
Operator Id
Name
Atlanta Gas Light Co
Operator Street Address
10 Peachtree Place Ne
Operator City Name
Atlanta
Operator State Abbreviation
GA
Operator Postal Code
30309.0
Time Zone
Eastern
Daylight Savings Ind
Yes
Location Street Address
2175 Savannah Highway
Location City Name
Jesup
Location County Name
Wayne
Location State Abbreviation
GA
Location Postal Code
31545.0
Location Latitude
31.630867
Location Longitude
-81.865058
Flow Cont Squeeze Off Ind
Yes
Nrc Rpt Num
1396518.0
Additional Nrc Report Numbers
1396669.0
Commodity Released Type
Natural Gas
Unintentional Release
51.0
Intentional Release
0.0
Fatality Ind
Yes
Num Emp Fatalities
1
Num Contr Fatalities
0
Num Er Fatalities
0
Num Worker Fatalities
0
Num Gp Fatalities
0
Fatal
1
Injury Ind
No
Injure
0
Ignite Ind
No
Num Pub Evacuated
0.0
Federal
No
Location Type
Private Property
Incident Area Type
Underground
Incident Area Subtype
Exposed Due To Excavation
Depth Of Cover
34.0
Other Underground Facilities
No
Crossing
No
Pipe Facility Type
Investor Owned
System Part Involved
Service Riser
Customer Type
Single Family Residential
Was Efv Installed Before Ind
No
Curb Valve Inst Before Inc Ind
No
Material Involved
Plastic
Plastic Type
Polyethylene (Pe)
Wt Plastic Unknown Ind
Unknown
Material Pe Pipe Code
Unknown
Release Type
Mechanical Puncture
Puncture Axial
0.5
Puncture Circum
0.5
Class Location Type
Class 3 Location
Est Cost Oper Paid
0.0
Est Cost Prop Damage
300.0
Est Cost Emergency
629.0
Est Cost Other
0.0
Gas Cost In Mcf
1.285
Est Cost Unintentional Release
66.0
Est Cost Intentional Release
0.0
Prpty
995.0
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
55.0
Normal Psig
55.0
Mop Psig
60.0
Mop Cfr Section
192.619(A)(4)
Maop Established Date
1970-07-01 00:00:00
Accident Pressure
Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop
Gas Odorized System Type
Injection Pump
Gas Odorized Level
10
Scada In Place Ind
No
Accident Identifier
Notification From Emergency Responder
Investigation Status
No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the incident
Employee Drug Test Ind
No
Contractor Drug Test Ind
No
Cause
Incorrect Operation
Cause Details
Other Incorrect Operation
Operation Type
Other Incorrect Operation
Operation Details
Please See Narrative In Part H
Related Failure Follow Ind
Yes
Category Type
Routine Maintenance
Operator Qualification Ind
Yes
Qualified Individuals
Yes, They Were Qualified For The Task(S)
Io Not Installed Properly Ind
Yes
Io Follow Procedure Ind
Yes
Preparer Name
R**** M*******
Preparer Title
Principal Compliance Engineer
Preparer Email
R*******@s*********.com
Preparer Telephone
4045843733
Preparer Fax
(404) 584-4710
Authorizer Name
L****** Q******
Authorizer Title
Director Compliance And Prm
Authorizer Telephone
(630) 388-2316
Authorizer Email
L******@s*********.com
Narrative
On april 15, 2024, an agl employee was dispatched in response to an outside odor complaint at 2175 savannah highway, jesup, ga ('premise'). According to the homeowner, the employee determined that the 3/4' plug on the outlet of the service riser valve was leaking above ground. Upon information and belief, because there was no meter at this premise, the employee planned to eliminate the above-ground leak by squeezing, cutting and capping the riser piping below ground. At approximately 17:05-17:10 hours, the homeowner found the employee unresponsive and called 911. According to the city of jesup fire department, the employee was found lying on the ground with his upper body in the excavation hole that he had presumedly dug and gas blowing in the hole. Wayne county ems transported the employee to wayne memorial hospital, where the employee was pronounced deceased. An autopsy later determined that death was accidental, and the cause of death was 'vitiated atmosphere of natural gas'. Agl was contacted by 911 at 17:23 hours and dispatched additional agl personnel to the premises. Upon their arrival, agl personnel found that the employee had been taken to the hospital and a hole measuring approximately 3 feet deep and 14 inches by 16 inches in diameter and gas blowing from a cut to the below-ground polyethylene (pe) portion (pigtail) of the riser. Agl personnel excavated approximately 20 feet from the blowing gas and squeezed off the service line to stop the leak. The company does not know exactly what occurred after the employee squeezed and cut the polyethylene (pe) portion (pigtail) of the riser that led to his death, but at some point, the squeezers came off the polyethylene (pe) piping (the employee's squeezers were found at the bottom of the excavation), resulting in blowing gas. It is possible that the squeezers accidentally came off, though the company has no indication that the squeezers failed. It is also possible that the employee loosened the squeezers to adjust their location. Post-incident, the company determined that the amount of polyethylene (pe) piping between the squeeze point and the cut was insufficient to install a stab fitting. The company does not know whether the employee was in the hole when the gas started blowing or if he chose to enter the hole knowing there was blowing gas. The service line was operating at a pressure of 55 psig. Agl initially notified the national response center (nrc) under nrc report number 1396518. Additional nrc report number 1396669 was created for the same event after a supplemental call was placed with the nrc to update the initial telephonic notice.
| Report Received Date | 2024-05-10 00:00:00 |
|---|---|
| Iyear | 2024.0 |
| Report Number | 20240032.0 |
| Supplemental Number | 40252.0 |
| Report Type | Supplemental Final |
| Operator Id | 792 PHMSA Enforcement |
| Name | Atlanta Gas Light Co |
| Operator Street Address | 10 Peachtree Place Ne |
| Operator City Name | Atlanta |
| Operator State Abbreviation | GA |
| Operator Postal Code | 30309.0 |
| Time Zone | Eastern |
| Daylight Savings Ind | Yes |
| Location Street Address | 2175 Savannah Highway |
| Location City Name | Jesup |
| Location County Name | Wayne |
| Location State Abbreviation | GA |
| Location Postal Code | 31545.0 |
| Location Latitude | 31.630867 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Location Longitude | -81.865058 Google Maps OpenStreetMap |
| Flow Cont Squeeze Off Ind | Yes |
| Nrc Rpt Num | 1396518.0 NRC Report How to search |
| Additional Nrc Report Numbers | 1396669.0 |
| Commodity Released Type | Natural Gas |
| Unintentional Release | 51.0 |
| Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Fatality Ind | Yes |
| Num Emp Fatalities | 1 |
| Num Contr Fatalities | 0 |
| Num Er Fatalities | 0 |
| Num Worker Fatalities | 0 |
| Num Gp Fatalities | 0 |
| Fatal | 1 |
| Injury Ind | No |
| Injure | 0 |
| Ignite Ind | No |
| Num Pub Evacuated | 0.0 |
| Federal | No |
| Location Type | Private Property |
| Incident Area Type | Underground |
| Incident Area Subtype | Exposed Due To Excavation |
| Depth Of Cover | 34.0 |
| Other Underground Facilities | No |
| Crossing | No |
| Pipe Facility Type | Investor Owned |
| System Part Involved | Service Riser |
| Customer Type | Single Family Residential |
| Was Efv Installed Before Ind | No |
| Curb Valve Inst Before Inc Ind | No |
| Material Involved | Plastic |
| Plastic Type | Polyethylene (Pe) |
| Wt Plastic Unknown Ind | Unknown |
| Material Pe Pipe Code | Unknown |
| Release Type | Mechanical Puncture |
| Puncture Axial | 0.5 |
| Puncture Circum | 0.5 |
| Class Location Type | Class 3 Location |
| Est Cost Oper Paid | 0.0 |
| Est Cost Prop Damage | 300.0 |
| Est Cost Emergency | 629.0 |
| Est Cost Other | 0.0 |
| Gas Cost In Mcf | 1.285 |
| Est Cost Unintentional Release | 66.0 |
| Est Cost Intentional Release | 0.0 |
| Prpty | 995.0 |
| 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 | 55.0 |
| Normal Psig | 55.0 |
| Mop Psig | 60.0 |
| Mop Cfr Section | 192.619(A)(4) View CFR 49 §192 |
| Maop Established Date | 1970-07-01 00:00:00 |
| Accident Pressure | Pressure Did Not Exceed Maop |
| Gas Odorized System Type | Injection Pump |
| Gas Odorized Level | 10 |
| Scada In Place Ind | No |
| Accident Identifier | Notification From Emergency Responder |
| Investigation Status | No, the facility was not monitored by a controller(s) at the time of the incident |
| Employee Drug Test Ind | No |
| Contractor Drug Test Ind | No |
| Cause | Incorrect Operation |
| Cause Details | Other Incorrect Operation |
| Operation Type | Other Incorrect Operation |
| Operation Details | Please See Narrative In Part H |
| Related Failure Follow Ind | Yes |
| Category Type | Routine Maintenance |
| Operator Qualification Ind | Yes |
| Qualified Individuals | Yes, They Were Qualified For The Task(S) |
| Io Not Installed Properly Ind | Yes |
| Io Follow Procedure Ind | Yes |
| Preparer Name | R**** M******* |
| Preparer Title | Principal Compliance Engineer |
| Preparer Email | R*******@s*********.com |
| Preparer Telephone | 4045843733 |
| Preparer Fax | (404) 584-4710 |
| Authorizer Name | L****** Q****** |
| Authorizer Title | Director Compliance And Prm |
| Authorizer Telephone | (630) 388-2316 |
| Authorizer Email | L******@s*********.com |
| Narrative | On april 15, 2024, an agl employee was dispatched in response to an outside odor complaint at 2175 savannah highway, jesup, ga ('premise'). According to the homeowner, the employee determined that the 3/4' plug on the outlet of the service riser valve was leaking above ground. Upon information and belief, because there was no meter at this premise, the employee planned to eliminate the above-ground leak by squeezing, cutting and capping the riser piping below ground. At approximately 17:05-17:10 hours, the homeowner found the employee unresponsive and called 911. According to the city of jesup fire department, the employee was found lying on the ground with his upper body in the excavation hole that he had presumedly dug and gas blowing in the hole. Wayne county ems transported the employee to wayne memorial hospital, where the employee was pronounced deceased. An autopsy later determined that death was accidental, and the cause of death was 'vitiated atmosphere of natural gas'. Agl was contacted by 911 at 17:23 hours and dispatched additional agl personnel to the premises. Upon their arrival, agl personnel found that the employee had been taken to the hospital and a hole measuring approximately 3 feet deep and 14 inches by 16 inches in diameter and gas blowing from a cut to the below-ground polyethylene (pe) portion (pigtail) of the riser. Agl personnel excavated approximately 20 feet from the blowing gas and squeezed off the service line to stop the leak. The company does not know exactly what occurred after the employee squeezed and cut the polyethylene (pe) portion (pigtail) of the riser that led to his death, but at some point, the squeezers came off the polyethylene (pe) piping (the employee's squeezers were found at the bottom of the excavation), resulting in blowing gas. It is possible that the squeezers accidentally came off, though the company has no indication that the squeezers failed. It is also possible that the employee loosened the squeezers to adjust their location. Post-incident, the company determined that the amount of polyethylene (pe) piping between the squeeze point and the cut was insufficient to install a stab fitting. The company does not know whether the employee was in the hole when the gas started blowing or if he chose to enter the hole knowing there was blowing gas. The service line was operating at a pressure of 55 psig. Agl initially notified the national response center (nrc) under nrc report number 1396518. Additional nrc report number 1396669 was created for the same event after a supplemental call was placed with the nrc to update the initial telephonic notice. |
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