NTSB Safety Recommendation P-77-016

NTSB safety recommendation P-77-016.

DESIGNATE A MANAGER OR MANAGEMENT TEAM AT EACH PUMP STATION WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY TO SUPERVISE AND REQUIRE ALL PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION OF THE PUMP STATION TO COMPLY COMPLETELY AND CONSISTENTLY WITH ALL WRITTEN PROCEDURES DURING THE STARTUP PERIOD AND THE CONTINUING OPERATIONS OF SUCH STATIONS. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1977-07-15

Adopted Date: 1977-07-15

Overall Date Closed: 1977-11-23

Synopsis: ON JULY 8, 1977, AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE OCCURRED AT ALYESKA PIPELINE SERVICE COMPANY'S PUMP STATION NO. 8 ON THE TRANS-ALASKA PIPELINE. AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT ONE PERSON DIED AND A NUMBER OF PERSONS WERE INJURED.

Ntsbnumber: DCA77MP026

Report Number: PAR-78-02

Addressee Name: Alyeska Pipeline Service Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1977-11-23

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1977-08-25

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: LTR FROM ALYESKA PIPELINE SERVICE COMPANY: ALYESKA HAS ADDED THE POSITION OF PUMP STATION MANAGER AT EACH OF OUR ACTIVE STATIONS. THESE ARE EXPERIENCED PEOPLE CHARGED WITH THE OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFE OPERATION OF THEIR PUMP STATION. THE CHIEF PUMP STATION TECHNICIANS REPORT DIRECTLY TO THIS MANAGER, THUS PROVIDING FOR CONTINUITY BETWEEN CREWS. THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT CHIEF TECHNICIAN HAS BEEN INSTITUTED TO PROVIDE ONE WORKING LEADER DURING THE SECOND SHIFT AT EACH STATION. A LARGE PERSONNEL ROSTER BOARD IS BEING PREPARED FOR EACH PUMP STATION TO IDENTIFY ALL ON-SITE PERSONNEL AS WELL AS THEIR REPORTING RELATIONSHIP WITHIN THE STATION.