PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC & GAS CO

Incident Narrative

ON TUESDAY 5/11/2021 AT 0739 PSE&G WAS NOTIFIED OF AN ACCIDENTAL IGNITION OF GAS OCCURRING AT DWIGHT AND KINDERKAMACK RD. IN HILLSDALE. CONTRACTORS WHILE EXCAVATING AND PERFORMING ZIPPING OPERATIONS, THE ZIPPER MACHINE CONTACTED A 1 PURGE FITTING TO A 4 PL 15# MAIN CAUSING AN ACCIDENTAL IGNITION OF GAS. POLICE AND FD ARRIVED AT THE SCENE, FD EVACUATED 4 HOMES AND 8 OCCUPANTS. PSE&G ARRIVED ON SCENE AT 0800, THE FIRE IS OUT AND THE SCENE WAS MADE SAFE AT 0830. DURING THE FIRE THE ZIPPING MACHINE WAS DESTROYED AND IS CURRENTLY AWAITING REMOVAL FROM THE SITE. REPAIRS ARE UNDERWAY AND WERE COMPLETED AT 1745 5/11/21. AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY REGARDING THIS INCIDENT. ROOT CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THAT THE CONTRACTOR FAILED TO HAND DIG WITHIN 2 FEET OF THE MARKED FACILITIES, WHICH VIOLATES THE NJUFPA LAW. UTILITY FOLLOW ON ACTIONS: REVIEW ROOT CAUSE WITH ALL GAS OPERATIONS PERSONNEL. *TO BE REVIEWED WITH ALL GAS OPERATIONS/CONSTRUCTION PERSONNEL. REVIEW EXPECTATIONS WITH STREET INSPECTORS TO ENSURE HAZARD RECOGNITION IS DISCUSSED DURING TAILBOARDS. *TO BE REVIEWED WITH ALL STREET INSPECTORS. *REVIEW NJFUPA LAW WITH ALL EXCAVATORS. TO BE REVIEWED WITH ALL CONTRACTORS WORKING ON PSE&G GAS FACILITIES.