NTSB Safety Recommendation P-76-077

NTSB safety recommendation P-76-077.

INSTRUCT OPERATORS OF EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT IN SAFETY PRECAUTIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN WORKING NEAR BURIED FACILITIES, AND PROVIDE THESE OPERATORS WITH INFORMATION ON HOW THE LOCATION AND PROBABLE DEPTH OF THESE FACILITIES MAY BE IDENTIFIED. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1976-10-27

Adopted Date: 1976-10-06

Overall Date Closed: 1977-07-29

Synopsis: ON AUGUST 9, 1976, A ROAD GRADER RUPTURED A LOOPED, 20-INCH, NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION LINE IN CARTWRIGHT, LOUISIANA. GAS ESCAPED IN SEVERAL DIRECTIONS FROM THE LINE'S TWO STREAMS AND IGNITED WITHIN SECONDS. THE RESULTING FLAME ENGULFED THE AREA, KILLED SIX RESIDENTS, INJURED ONE PERSON, AND INCINERATED TWO HOUSES, A HOUSE TRAILER, AND SEVERAL ACRES OF LAND.

Ntsbnumber: DCA76MP025

Report Number: PAR-77-01

Addressee Name: State of Louisiana, Parish of Jackson, Police Jury

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1977-07-29

Addressee Organization Type: L-Local Government

Communication Date: 1977-04-12

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LTR. FROM POLICE JURY, PARISH OF JACKSON, LA: THE JURY IMMEDIATELY INSTRUCTED ALL OPERATORS NOT TO WORK NEAR ANY UTILITY LINE. ALL OPERATORS WERE PRESENTED WITH DETAILED MAPS SHOWING ALL UTILITY LINES IN THE PARISH. WHEN ANY UTILITY LINE IS ENCOUNTERED, EACH OPERATOR HAS BEEN INSTRUCTED TO CEASE ALL OPERATION UNTIL A COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE IS ON THE SCENE.