Natural gas notifiable accidents
[ Last Updated 20 January 2010 ]
These are the 2 natural gas notifiable accidents for which the investigation was completed between April and June 2009.
1 - Event summary: Third party strike on an intermediate pressure gas main in New Lynn, Waitakere City, resulting in major gas leak and causing disruption to rail services.
| Event ID |
081208 04 |
| Event date |
08/12/2008 |
| Site |
Public |
| Environment |
Outside (Above Ground) |
| Equipment |
Other |
| Event |
Gas Leak, Escape |
| Casualty |
No casualty |
| Injury |
No injury |
| Property damage level |
Extended to the site |
| Outcome of investigation |
A pile was driven into an intermediate pressure gas main. Incorrect identification of the actual location of the gas main appears to be the immediate cause of the incident. The construction work was being done in a constrained site and consequently clearances were tight. Nonetheless, a number of additional steps could have been taken to more positively locate either the path of the pile or the location of the gas main. |
2 - Event summary: A craftsman gasfitter advised that he had measured levels of carbon monoxide between 178 and 228 ppm in a space used by workers at a take away food outlet. He ascribed the carbon monoxide to faults with the burner on a semi flued appliance that relied on an air extraction system and to faults with the extraction system. The craftsman had been called after four employees had suffered headaches and one had reported a gas smell. One employee had reportedly been diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning after being rendered uncouncious two years previously. The matter was referred to the DoL for further investigation.
| Event ID |
090129 03 |
| Event date |
23/01/2009 |
| Site |
Commercial |
| Environment |
Building |
| Equipment |
Commercial ovens |
| Event |
CO Poisoning (Incomplete Combustion) |
| Casualty |
Injury |
| Injury |
Asphyxiation, Toxicity |
| Property damage level |
No property damage |
| Outcome of investigation |
Carbon monoxide had evidently entered the working environment due to an improperly operating system for extracting products of combustion. Also, the extraction system filters were evidently blocked. The notifying craftsman gasfitter considered the system had been unsafe since it was installed in 2002. He advised that he had carried out remedial work and taken action to ensure that there was no further hazard.
DoL advised that a warning letter had been sent to the operators. Energy Safety could not locate any record of a gas certification certificate. The installation was certified after remedial work had been carried out. |
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