NTSB Safety Recommendation P-00-001

NTSB safety recommendation P-00-001.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT RSPA: THROUGH THE MECHANISM OF THE PATH FORWARD INITIATIVE, TAKE THE LEAD IN PROMULGATING AN INDUSTRY "BEST PRACTICE" THAT ADVISES EXCAVATORS TO NOTIFY THE PIPELINE OPERATOR IMMEDIATELY IF THEIR WORK DAMAGES A PIPELINE AND TO CALL 911 OR OTHER LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE NUMBER IMMEDIATELY IF THE DAMAGE RESULTS IN A RELEASE OF NATURAL GAS OR OTHER HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE OR POTENTIALLY ENDANGERS LIFE, HEALTH, OR PROPERTY.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 2000-07-18

Adopted Date: 2000-07-11

Overall Date Closed: 2002-07-11

Synopsis: ABOUT 10:50 A.M. ON 12/11/98, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL A UTILITY POLE SUPPORT ANCHOR IN A CITY SIDEWALK IN ST. CLOUD, MN, A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK INSTALLATION CREW FROM CABLE CONSTRUCTORS, INC., (CCI) STRUCK AND RUPTURED AN UNDERGROUND, 1-INCH-DIAMETER, HIGH-PRESSURE PLASTIC GAS SERVICE PIPELINE, THEREBY PRECIPITATING A NATURAL GAS LEAK. ABOUT 39 MINUTES LATER, WHILE UTILITY WORKERS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL WERE TAKING PRELIMINARY PRECAUTIONS AND ASSESSING THE SITUATION, AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED. AS A RESULT OF THE EXPLOSION, 4 PERSONS WERE FATALLY INJURED; 1 PERSON WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED; AND 10 PERSONS, INCLUDING 2 FIREFIGHTERS AND 1 POLICE OFFICER, RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. SIX BUILDINGS WERE DESTROYED. DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS ESTIMATED PROPERTY LOSSES AT $399,000.

Probable Cause: The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was the lack of adequate procedures by CCI to prevent damage to nearby utilities when its anchor installation crews encountered unusual conditions such as striking an underground obstacle. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the delay by CCI in notifying the proper authorities.

Keywords: Hazmat

Ntsbnumber: DCA99MP001

Report Number: PAR-00-01

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2002-07-11

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2002-07-11

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: RSPA explained that prior to the approval of this new best practice, the excavator was left to determine whether the release of gas or hazardous substance posed a danger, and if so, to determine whether 911 should be called. Accordingly, because RSPA worked with the CGA to promulgate this best practice as requested, Safety Recommendation P-00-1 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2001-01-30

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board appreciates that RSPA agrees with the Safety Recommendation and understands that RSPA's Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) has been working with the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), which has the mission of ensuring public safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of vital underground services by promoting effective damage prevention practices. The Board also understands that the CGA is to identify and disseminate "best practices," such as those embodied in the Common Ground Study, which was sponsored by RSPA. In addition, the OPS supported the formation of the CGA and ensured broad stakeholder representation on the CGA's board of directors. The board of directors' first official meeting was held on November 2, 2000. The Board understands that at this meeting, the CGA board discussed the Safety Board's recommendation, formed a Best Practices Committee, and referred the recommendation to the committee to determine the next steps in responding to the recommendation. The OPS reports that it will continue working with the Board and the committee, will participate in meetings, will monitor progress, and will report back to the Safety Board. The Safety Board notes that OPS is examining Federal pipeline safety regulations to determine the need, if any, for clarification of requirements to promote immediate notification of emergency response organizations in the event of damage to pipeline facilities. The Board also notes that the OPS is evaluating grant criteria for the review of state pipeline safety program activities to assure an adequate level of effort in state inspections and activities that promote damage prevention best practices. Because OPS is taking a lead role to promulgate an industry best practice, as requested, Safety Recommendation P-00-1 is classified "Open-Acceptable Response," pending further information from OPS on this initiative. Thank you for your commitment to pipeline safety.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2002-05-06

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 05/16/2002 3:11:07 PM MC# 2020509 In response to this recommendation, the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) requested that the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) review the existing best practice regarding emergency notification and to determine if the NTSB recommendation P-00-1 about immediacy of notification should be included as a new best practice. The RSPA is pleased to report that the CGA has reviewed and unanimously approved a change to the best practices to reflect the following: "If the damage results in the escape of any flammable, toxic, or corrosive gas or liquid or endangers life, health, or property, the excavator responsible immediately notifies 911 and the facility owner/operator." Prior to the approval of this new best practice, the excavator was left to determine if the release of gas or hazardous substance posed a danger, and if so, to determine if 911 should be called. A copy of the CGA letter adopting the best practice is enclosed for your information, Action Requested: RSPA requests that NTSB Safety Recommendation P-00-1 be "Closed--Acceptable Action" as this new Best Practice addresses the intent of this recommendation, If we can be of further assistance, please contact me or Suzanne Te Beau, Associate Administrator for Policy and Congressional Affairs, at (202) 366-4831.

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 2000-11-27

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 11/28/2000 3:53:27 PM MC# 2001745 1. The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) wholeheartedly agrees with the NTSB's recommendation. In order to give full consideration to all effective means of promoting proper notification procedures and use of 911, RSP A's Office of Pipeline Safety has been working with the Common Ground Alliance (CGA). The mission of the CGA is to ensure public safety , environmental protection, and the integrity of vital underground services by promoting effective damage prevention practices. Among its objectives is to identify and disseminate "best practices" such as those embodied in the Common Ground Study, which was sponsored by RSPA. We supported the formation of the CGA and assured broad stakeholder representation on the Board of Directors. All damage prevention interests are actively involved. We called the initial meeting to seat the Board of Directors on September 18 and a first official meeting on November 2. At our request, the CGA board discussed the NTSB recommendation at the meeting, convened a CGA Best Practices Committee, and referred this recommendation to the Committee to determine the next steps in response to the recommendation. The Office of Pipeline Safety will continue working with the Board and the Committee, will participate in meetings, monitor progress and report back to the NTSB board. Information on the CGA is available on the Internet at www.CommonGroundAlliance.com. Our current regulations require excavators to notify emergency personnel but do not specify that the operator should contact 911 (or equivalent). RSPA is examining the federal pipeline safety regulations to determine the need, if any, for clarification of the damage prevention program requirements to promote immediate notification of emergency response organizations in the event of damage to pipeline facilities. In addition, RSP A is evaluating grant criteria for the review of state pipeline safety program activities to assure an adequate level of effort ill state inspections and activities in promoting damage prevention best practices.