COLUMBIA GAS OF VIRGINIA INC
gas_distribution Incident — SUFFOLK, VA
Incident Information
| Report Date | — |
| Operator | COLUMBIA GAS OF VIRGINIA INC |
| Commodity | — |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | SUFFOLK |
| State | VA |
| County | Not Within a County or Parish |
| Coordinates | 36.88405, -76.40870 |
Cause
| Cause | OTHER OUTSIDE FORCE DAMAGE |
| Subcause | — |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 1 |
Costs
| Property Damage | — |
| Lost Commodity | — |
| Public/Private Damage | — |
| Emergency Response | — |
| Environmental Remediation | — |
| Other Costs | — |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE FOR CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS WAS PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON A COMMUNICATION LINE AT 6772 BURBAGE LAKE CR IN SUFFOLK, VA ON SUNDAY AUG 21, 2016. INITIAL REPORT INDICATED WHILE USING A HAND HELD TORCH TO INSTALL HEAT SHRINK SLEEVES ON THE COMMUNICATION LINE, THE CONTRACTOR COMPROMISED THE HALF INCH SERVICE WHICH IMPACTED A 4"" PLASTIC MP GAS MAIN. THIS RESULTED IN THE GAS PIPELINE DEVELOPING A LEAK WITH AN IGNITION SOURCE (THE TORCH) ERUPTING INTO FIRE. THE CONTRACTOR WAS INJURED WITH 2ND AND 3RD DEGREE BURNS ON HIS LOWER EXTREMITIES AND WAS HOSPITALIZED AS A RESULT OF HIS INJURIES. HE WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL ON SUNDAY 08/21/16 AND RELEASED TUESDAY 8/23/2016.
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.