NSTAR GAS COMPANY
gas_distribution Incident — NEEDHAM, MA — November 4, 2023
Incident Information
| Incident Date | November 4, 2023 |
| Operator | NSTAR GAS COMPANY |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | NEEDHAM |
| State | MA |
| County | NORFOLK |
| Coordinates | 42.27603, -71.22185 |
Cause
| Cause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE |
| Subcause | EXCAVATION DAMAGE BY OPERATOR'S CONTRACTOR (SECOND PARTY) |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $2,771 |
| Emergency Response | $37,907 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"DURING A PLANNED SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT, A SECOND PARTY CONTRACTOR STRUCK A SERVICE LINE CAUSING AN IGNITION AND HOUSE FIRE. THE RESIDENTS WERE NOT HOME AT THAT TIME. A CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE SUSTAINED A MINOR INJURY. THE SERVICE LINE WAS CUT OFF AT THE MAIN WHEN THE SITUATION WAS DEEMED SAFE. THE BUILDING WAS DEMOLISHED THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT. G3.7: MINI EXCAVATOR WAS BEING UTILIZED. G3.12: ON NOVEMBER 4, THE ORIGINAL MARKS IN THE PUBLIC WAY SHOWING THE SERVICE LINE FROM THE SERVICE TEE TO THE PROPERTY LINE AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PROPERTY WERE VISIBLE AND ACCURATE. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE MARKINGS OR FLAGS ON THE PRIVATE PROPERTY. PRIVATE PROPERTY MARKINGS WERE EITHER NOT APPLIED OR NOT MAINTAINED. G3.14 THE CREW WAS MECHANICALLY EXCAVATING THE TRENCH FOR THE NEW SERVICE ON THE PRIVATE PROPERTY WHEN THEY STRUCK THE ACTIVE 1"" STEEL SERVICE."
About This Pipeline Incident
Pipeline incident data is reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). All significant incidents involving fatalities, injuries, or property damage over $50,000 must be reported.