NTSB Safety Recommendation P-76-026

NTSB safety recommendation P-76-026.

ADVISE THEIR MEMBER COMPANIES WHO OPERATE SIMILAR NATURAL GAS-GATHERING PIPELINE SYSTEMS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING PRECISELY THE WRITTEN PROCEDURES COVERING THESE SITUATIONS. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1976-06-23

Adopted Date: 1976-06-04

Overall Date Closed: 1985-07-08

Synopsis: ON JANUARY 7, 1976, EMPLOYEES AT THE MICHIGAN-WISCONSIN PIPE LINE COMPANY'S CEDARDALE, OKLAHOMA, COMPRESSOR STATION WERE DIRECTED TO OPEN A VALVE ON A SHUT-IN 12-INCH GAS-GATHERING PIPELINE IN AN ATTEMPT TO INCREASE THE FLOW INTO THE MAIN LINE. NATURAL GAS AND NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS AT 700-PSIG PRESSURE ROARED THROUGH THE VALVE, OUT THROUGH THE END OF AN OPEN 12-INCH PIPE, AND INTO A DITCH, WHERE SEVEN MEN WERE WORKING NEAR AN OPEN FLAME HEATER. THE NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS SATURATED THEIR CLOTHINGAND THE HEATER SET THEM ON FIRE. FIVE MEN WERE KILLED AND TWO MEN WERE BURNED SERIOUSLY AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT.

Ntsbnumber: DCA76FP012

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: Interstate Natural Gas Association of America

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1985-07-08

Addressee Acronym: INGAA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1976-06-23

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LTR FROM INTERSTATE NATURAL GAS ASSOCIATION: WE HAVE TODAY FORWARDED COPIES OF THESE DOCUMENTS TO THE MEMBERS OF THIS ASSOCIATION.

Addressee Acronym: INGAA

Addressee Organization Type: A-Associations

Communication Date: 1985-07-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence