NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-078

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-078.

REQUIRE ITS EMPLOYEES TO PRECISELY ESTABLISH THE HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL LOCATIONS OF GAS PIPELINES BY MEANS OF HAND-EXCAVATED TEST HOLES BEFORE ALLOWING HEAVY EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT IN THE AREA OF A PIPELINE CROSSING.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Issued Date: 1978-12-29

Adopted Date: 1978-12-07

Overall Date Closed: 1983-04-01

Synopsis: ON JUNE 12, 1978, A 10-INCH NATURAL GAS PIPELINE OWNED BY THE GAS SERVICE COMPANY WAS STRUCK AND RUPTURED BY EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT DURING CONSTRUCTION OF A SEWER IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. THE NATURAL GAS ESCAPED FROM A 5-INCH-LONG HOLE IN THE PIPELINE. THE GAS IGNITED WHILE TWO GAS COMPANY EMPLOYEES WERE CLEANING THE PIPE WITH HAND TOOLS BEFORE INSTALLING A PIPE REPAIR CLAMP. BOTH MEN WERE BURNED SERIOUSLY.

Ntsbnumber: DCA78MP020

Report Number: PAR-78-05

Addressee Name: Torson Construction Company

Addressee Status: Closed--No Longer Applicable

Addressee Date Closed: 1983-04-01

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1983-04-01

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1982-10-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence