NTSB Safety Recommendation P-77-037

NTSB safety recommendation P-77-037.

REVIEW ITS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ADEQUACY, REINSTRUCT ITS PERSONNEL IN THE PROCEDURES CONTAINED THEREIN, AND MONITOR THE EMPLOYEES TO ASSURE THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIRED STANDARDS OF SAFETY FOR PIPELINE OPERATION.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1977-03-17

Adopted Date: 1977-03-17

Overall Date Closed: 1978-11-21

Synopsis: SINCE THE STARTUP OF THE ALASKA PIPELINE ON JUNE 20, 1977, TO AUGUST 15, 1977, SEVEN INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS HAVE CAUSED THE PIPELINE TO BE SHUT DOWN PERIODICALLY. AN ACCIDENT ON JULY 8, 1977, IN WHICH PUMP STATION NO. 8 WAS DESTROYED AND ONE PERSON WAS KILLED, RESULTED FROM THE FAILURE OF THE PUMP STATION PERSONNEL TO FOLLOW ALYESKA PIPELINE SERVICE COMPANY OPERATING PROCEDURES. ANOTHER ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 15, 1977, IN WHICH CRUDE OIL SPILLED AND COULD HAVE IGNITED IN PUMP STATION NO. 9, ALSO RESULTED FROM THE FAILURE OF PUMP STATION PERSONNEL TO FOLLOW COMPANY PROCEDURES.

Keywords: Training and Education

Ntsbnumber: DCA77MP026

Report Number: PAR-77-03

Addressee Name: Alyeska Pipeline Service Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1978-11-21

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1978-01-30

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: ALYESKA PIPELINE SERVICE COMPANY LTR: ALYSKA HAS A CONTINUING REVIEW PROCESS FOR ITS TRAINING PROGRAM. THIS REVIEW PROCESS OPENED AN AREA FOR IMPROVEMENT THROUGH INSTITUTING A NEW 3 PHASE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NEW EMPLOYEES. PERSONNEL ARE REINSTRUCTED THROUGH AN ONGOING REVIEW SYSTEM. TRAINING INCLUDES NEW EMPLOYEE, ON-THE-JOB AND THE COMPANY'S "PROGRESSION PROGRAM". THIS LAST PROGRAM IS A 6-STEP GROWTH PROGRAM TO ASSURE CONTINUED AWARENESS OF PAST LESSONS LEARNED. THE COMPANY ALSO HOLDS WEEKLY SAFETY MEETINGS WITH THE SAFETY AND FIRE PROTECTION SPECIALISTS AT EACH PUMP STATION. THESE MEETINGS COVER SAFE PRACTICES. THE TRAINING SYSTEM IS SOME WHAT SELF MONITORING. PROCEDURES ALSO MONITORED THROUGH USE OF A WORK PERMIT PROGRAM. THESE WORK PERMITS DESCRIBE, INFORM AND CONTROL THE WORK. A NEW ADDITION TO THIS PROGRAM REQUIRES THE SIGNATURE OF THE SAFETY AND FIRE PROTECTION SPECIALIST AT EACH PUMP STATION ON THE WORK PERMIT. SENIOR MANAGERS OF THE COMPANY ALSO MAKE FREQUENT INSPECTION TOURS.