Inspection Detail
Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.
Inspection: 1593234.015 - Pacific Gas And Electric Company
Inspection Information - Office: American Canyon District Office
Site Address:
Pacific Gas And Electric Company
4207 Saint Helena Hwy
Calistoga, CA 94515
Mailing Address:
13387 Lark Ct., Redding, CA 96003
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:
NAICS: 221210/Natural Gas Distribution
Inspection Type: Fat/Cat
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 10/28/2022
Emphasis:
Case Closed:
Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
---|---|---|---|
Accident | 1890032 |
Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Initial Violations | 2 | 5 | 7 | |||
Current Violations | 2 | 5 | 7 | |||
Initial Penalty | $36,000 | $0 | $0 | $4,550 | $0 | $40,550 |
Current Penalty | $36,000 | $0 | $0 | $4,550 | $0 | $40,550 |
FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
# | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 01001 | Other | 1509(A) | 10/28/2022 | $1,050 | $1,050 | $0 | 11/21/2022 | C - Contested | ||
2. | 01002 | Other | 1509(A) | 10/28/2022 | $1,050 | $1,050 | $0 | 11/21/2022 | C - Contested | ||
3. | 01003 | Other | 3314(G)(1) | 10/28/2022 | $1,050 | $1,050 | $0 | 11/21/2022 | C - Contested | ||
4. | 01004 | Other | 3314(I)(1) | 10/28/2022 | $1,050 | $1,050 | $0 | 11/21/2022 | C - Contested | ||
5. | 01005 | Other | 6845(E) | 10/28/2022 | $350 | $350 | $0 | 11/21/2022 | C - Contested | ||
6. | 02001 | Serious | 3314(C) | 10/28/2022 | $18,000 | $18,000 | $0 | 11/21/2022 | C - Contested | ||
7. | 03001 | Serious | 3329(E) | 10/28/2022 | $18,000 | $18,000 | $0 | 11/21/2022 | C - Contested |
Investigation Summary
At 4:15 p.m. on April 29, 2022, a PG&E maintenance crew was conducting pipeline drying following hydrostatic testing of an approximately two-mile-long section of natural gas transmission pipeline. Two PG&E employees were operating the PIG launcher, and two other employees were operating the PIG receiver. The employees at the launcher loaded a foam swab PIG and a Polyethene follower PIG into the launcher, pressurized the system and attempted to send the PIG through the pipeline to the receiver. The PIGs did not arrive at the receiver within the expected time frame and other parameters indicated that the PIGs may have become stuck in the line. Employee #1 proceeded to the receiver location and directed the employees there to connect a portable air compressor to the line in an attempt to push the PIGs back to the launcher. He then returned to the launcher and after several vibrations and venting of the launcher vessel, Employee #1 determined that the PIG's had been pushed back to the launcher. He instructed Employee #2 to shut the vent valve on the launcher and he proceeded to prepare the closure door for opening. However, the closure door on the launcher vessel was opened and Employee #1 looked into the vessel with his flashlight in an attempt to verify the location of the PIG's. Employee #2 joined him and shined his own flashlight into the vessel as well. A loud noise was heard and the PIGs were dislodged, releasing the air pressure contained in the pipe, and the two PIGs were ejected at a high rate of speed. The launcher vessel isolation valve had not been closed and the pipeline between the receiver and launcher had not been depressurized prior to opening the closure door. The two employees operating the launcher were struck by the escaping air and/or the PIGs. Employee #1 died due to blunt force trauma to the head. Employee #2 sustained multiple facial lacerations and fractures, damage to the right eye, and a concussion and was hospitalized.
Keywords: Blunt force trauma, Compressed Air, Compressor, Concussion, Explosion, Eye, Face, Fracture, Head, Laceration, Lockout/Tagout, Natural Gas, Pipeline, Pneumatic, Pressure Release, Shut-Off Valve, Untrained, Venting
# | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1593234.015 | 36 | M | Hospitalized injury | ||
2 | 1593234.015 | 33 | M | Fatality | Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters |