NTSB Safety Recommendation P-76-032

NTSB safety recommendation P-76-032.

ASSURE THAT ANY CONTRACTOR ENGAGED TO DO PIPELINE REPAIRS IS FAMILIAR WITH THE WEST TEXAS GULF OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND INSIST THAT THE CONTRACTOR HAVE AVAILABLE AND USE THE REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1976-06-09

Adopted Date: 1976-06-09

Overall Date Closed: 1977-07-29

Synopsis: ON DECEMBER 1, 1974, A REPAIR CREW AT WORK ON A LEAK ON THE WEST TEXAS GULF PIPE LINE COMPANY'S 26-INCH PIPELINE NEAR ABILENE, TEXAS, BEGAN TO EXCAVATE THE PIPE WHILE IT WAS PUMPING SOUR CRUDE OIL. THEY ATTEMPTED TO CLAMP THE LEAK WHILE THE SOUR CRUDE OIL WAS SPRAYING INTO THE AIR; THEY WERE NOT USING OXYGEN BREATHING EQUIPMENT, GAS VAPOR DETECTION INSTRUMENTS, OR ROPES ATTACHED TO THEIR BELTS. ALL BUT ONE MAN, WHO RAN TO THE TRUCK TO RADIO FOR HELP, WERE OVERCOME BY FUMES FROM THE SOUR CRUDE OIL. OF THE SEVEN MEN IN THE REPAIR CREW, SIX DIED.

Ntsbnumber: PLD75XR004

Report Number: PAR-76-04

Addressee Name: West Texas Gulf Pipeline Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1977-07-29

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1976-09-23

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LTR. FROM GULF REFINING COMPANY: THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS REPORT HAVE ALL BEEN COMPLIED WITH AND HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED AS A PART OF OUR PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1976-11-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence