NTSB Safety Recommendation P-09-007

NTSB safety recommendation P-09-007.

TO ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS (FORMERLY DIXIE PIPELINE COMPANY): Implement procedures to evaluate the effectiveness of your public education program.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 2009-10-27

Adopted Date: 2009-10-14

Overall Date Closed: 2014-04-07

Synopsis: On November 1, 2007, at 10:35:02 a.m. central daylight time, a 12-inch-diameter pipeline segment operated by Dixie Pipeline Company (Dixie) was transporting liquid propane at about 1,405 pounds per square inch, gauge (psig), when it ruptured in a rural area near Carmichael, Mississippi. The resulting gas cloud expanded over nearby homes and ignited, creating a large fireball that was heard and seen from miles away. About 10,253 barrels (430,626 gallons) of propane were released. As a result of the ensuing fire, two people were killed and seven people sustained minor injuries. Four houses were destroyed, and several others were damaged. About 71.4 acres of grassland and woodland were burned. Dixie reported that property damage resulting from the accident, including the loss of product, was $3,377,247.

Probable Cause: The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the November 1, 2007, rupture of the liquid propane pipeline operated by Dixie Pipeline Company near Carmichael, Mississippi, was the failure of a weld that caused the pipe to fracture along the longitudinal seam weld, a portion of the upstream girth weld, and portions of the adjacent pipe joints.

Keywords: Training and Education,

Ntsbnumber: DCA08MP001

Report Number: PAR-09-01

Addressee Name: Enterprise Products Partners L.P.

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2014-04-07

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2014-01-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: -From Jeff Morton, Director, Transportation Compliance: Enterprise has participated in an industry-wide Effectiveness Evaluation survey (which is managed through the American Petroleum Institute (API)) called the Public Awareness Program Effectiveness Research Survey (PAPERS). This industry-wide survey was designed to quantifiably measure the effectiveness of each participating pipeline operator's Public Awareness Program. The survey measures the reception and comprehension of key messages by each of the four key stakeholder audiences and encompasses the entire Enterprise Public Awareness Program. Enterprise has participated in this survey at an enhanced frequency of every two (2) years since 2009, as Federal compliance regulations only require an evaluation at four (4) year intervals. Participation at an enhanced frequency has provided us with both a baseline and additional set of data points, which allows for trending of survey results not only for Enterprise, but against the Peer Group results which are generated from other operators who participated during the same survey period. Our ability to trend data from three (3) survey periods shows there is a clear indication the efforts of the Company's Public Awareness Program are achieving its goals, as Enterprise related results have improved from the previous survey periods (2009, 2011 and 2013), showing gradual and steady increases and are (in many cases) higher than the Peer Group levels. Some of the key findings from the 2013 survey data show: • Increased frequency of contacts has had a positive impact on audience awareness and behavior. o 70% of Affected Public who claim they are "Very Informed" are more likely to "Always check" for pipelines before digging. • Increased awareness levels of pipelines for all stakeholder audiences with the exception of Public Officials. o 9 of every 10 respondents are aware of pipelines; awareness levels at all-time high for all stakeholders with the exception of Public Officials. • Increased levels of "being informed" for all audiences. o Double-digit rebound for the Affected Public as almost 2/3 now reporting they are "Very/Somewhat Informed". • Steady increases for recall of receiving information as recall has exceeded Peer Group levels by an average of 9%. • Increased level of retention of information as over V2 of audiences report keeping information they receive. • Higher likelihood that 811 or the One-Call System will be called prior to digging. o 9 out of 10 stakeholders surveyed report that 811 is called prior to digging; nearly 1/2 of Excavators report already knowing the number to the One-Call System • Steady increased levels of sharing of information within the stakeholder audiences. o Steady and significant increase in Excavators indicating they share information with employees and vast majority of Excavators and Public Officials are sharing information (80%+). • Confidence in department's ability to respond to incidents. o Nearly 1/2 of Emergency Officials and a lesser number of Public Officials feel "Extremely confident" in their department's ability to respond. • Increased levels of Emergency Official contact with pipeline operators. o 2/3 of Emergency Officials have met with a representative to discuss pipeline safety. • Practical training being conducted. o Slightly over 1/3 of Emergency Officials have conducted practical training. • Emergency Response Plans more likely to exist within Emergency Official audience. o Rebound in having ERPs which are above Peer Group levels. Finally, on September 27-28, 2011, PHMSA conducted an Effectiveness Evaluation inspection on the Enterprise Public Awareness Program. The auditors had high praises for the audit team regarding the following program enhancements: • Increase in frequency for Effectiveness Evaluation from four (4) years to two (2) years. • Implementation of the Safe at Home School Program to all Elementary Schools within 1,000 feet of a Company pipeline (where available). • Increase in frequency to annual mailings for all stakeholder audiences. • Implementation of an Address Verification process to statistically determine the accuracy of our mail out lists. • The Company's increased efforts in promoting the 811 message (bumper stickers on fleet vehicles; 811 patches on all Company issued FRC; 811 Day national media campaign; FDIC; etc.). • Expanded efforts to meet with 911 Call Centers to review key pipeline safety messages. • Internal tracking and reporting method for 3rd party hits and near misses. • Implementation of the Company's Non-Compliant Excavator Program. • Planned enhancements to the Company's pipeline safety brochures. The inspectors' verbal recommendations for improvement were directed mainly at administrative-type improvements to the Company's written plan (i.e., edits to the written procedures/processes, better definition of roles & responsibilities, etc.) and these recommendations were addressed during the 2011 Annual Self-Assessment process. As a result, there were no further recommendations or other notices issued on behalf of PHMSA regarding this inspection. Since then, our inspection has been closed by the PHMSA inspector. Overall, based on our efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of our program through participation in the PAPERS survey, as well as our method of identifying and implementing program enhancements, we feel confident we have addressed and satisfied the requirements set forth in P-09-7.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2010-01-25

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 2/2/2010 3:02:50 PM MC# 2100034: - From J.M. Collingsworth, President: As required by 49 CFR Part 195.440, Dixie is required to measure the effectiveness of its Public Awareness Program every four years. As such, Dixie is required to complete its initial effectiveness measurement by June 20, 2010. Dixie implemented its procedure to evaluate the effectiveness of its public awareness program in the third quarter of 2009, and results are expected in January or February 2010. (See Exhibit B for copy of Dixie's effectiveness measurement procedure.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2014-04-07

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: On April 28, 2010, Safety Recommendation P-09-7 was classified “Open?Acceptable Response,” at which time we asked for the results of Dixie’s evaluation of its public awareness program and a description of any new improvements to the program that were planned. We understand that, following implementation of procedures to evaluate your public education program in 2011, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) conducted its own evaluation of your Public Awareness Program and praised many of the program enhancements, including more frequent evaluations and mailings, the addition of a program for elementary schools within 1,000 feet of a company pipeline, increased efforts to promote the 811 message and to meet with 911 call centers, and the implementation of internal tracking and reporting for third party hits and near misses, among others. We note that PHMSA inspector recommendations for improvement focused mainly on your written procedures, processes, and better definition of roles and responsibilities, and that, once these issues were addressed in 2011, PHMSA had no further recommendations for improvement. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-09-7 is classified CLOSED—ACCEPTABLE ACTION.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2013-11-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: We last received correspondence from Dixie regarding these recommendations in January 2010. At that time, Dixie had initiated action to implement Safety Recommendations P 09-6 though -8, and all three recommendations were classified OPEN—ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE pending completion of the recommended actions. We are interested in knowing whether and how our recommendations are implemented, both to ensure that the traveling public is provided the highest level of safety and to identify creative solutions that might be shared with others. Therefore, please inform us about the status of Dixie/EPP’s actions to implement Safety Recommendations P-09-6 through -8.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2010-04-28

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The NTSB is pleased that Dixie implemented procedures to evaluate the effectiveness of its public awareness program. We would appreciate learning the results of this evaluation and a description of any new procedures to improve the public awareness program that may be implemented. Pending receipt of this information, Safety Recommendation P-09-7 is classified OPEN -- ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.