DOMINION ENERGY WEST VIRGINIA
gas_distribution Incident — WESTOVER, WV — September 24, 2020
Incident Information
| Incident Date | September 24, 2020 |
| Operator | DOMINION ENERGY WEST VIRGINIA |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | WESTOVER |
| State | WV |
| County | MONONGALIA |
| Coordinates | 39.63838, -79.98181 |
Cause
| Cause | INCORRECT OPERATION |
| Subcause | OTHER INCORRECT OPERATION |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 1 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $0 |
| Emergency Response | $0 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"A DOMINION ENERGY WEST VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEE WAS INSTALLING A NEW SECTION OF PLASTIC SERVICE LINE WHILE UTILIZING THE EXISTING TAP AND EXISTING COATED STEEL SERVICE LINE COMING OFF THE TAP. THE EMPLOYEE WAS USING A PNEUMATIC AIR SAW TO CUT THE LIVE LOW PRESSURE 1.5 INCH COATED STEEL SERVICE LINE. AFTER THE FIRST AND SECOND CUTS WERE COMPLETE THE PIPE WAS STUCK IN PLACE. THE EMPLOYEE ATTEMPTED TO DISLODGE THE CUT PIPE WHEN THE GAS IGNITED CAUSING FLASH BURNS TO THE NECK, ARMS, AND FACE. THE EMPLOYEE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND LATER THAT AFTERNOON THE LOCAL DOCTORS DECIDED TO SEND THE INJURED EMPLOYEE TO THE BURN UNIT IN PITTSBURGH, PA. THE EMPLOYEE WAS KEPT OVERNIGHT IN PITTSBURGH, PA FOR PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AND RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL THE NEXT DAY TO RETURN HOME. TIMELINE 9:05 - EVENT OCCURRED 16:20 - OVERNIGHT HOSPITALIZATION CONFIRMED AND INCIDENT CRITERIA MET 16:31 - NRC PHONE CALL NOTIFICATION MADE ORIGINAL NRC NUMBER 1288188, ADDITIONAL NRC REPORT NUMBER 1288263"
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.