NTSB Safety Recommendation P-76-034

NTSB safety recommendation P-76-034.

EQUIP ITS COMPANY VEHICLES OR PROVIDE, AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS, OXYGEN BREATHING EQUIPMENT, SAFETY ROPES, AND GAS VAPOR DETECTION INSTRUMENTS. MONITOR EMPLOYEE ACTIONS TO INSURE THAT EQUIPMENT IS USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH WRITTEN PROCEDURES.

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.

Keywords: Hazmat

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Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable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