NTSB Safety Recommendation P-78-080

NTSB safety recommendation P-78-080.

AMEND STATE LAW TO SPECIFY THE USE OF HAND-EXCAVATED TEST HOLES, OR OTHER PROVEN, ACCURATE METHOD, TO ESTABLISH A PRECISE DEPTH OR LOCATION OF THE UNDERGROUND FACILITY, AND TO ESTABLISH A WIDE BUFFER ZONE BESIDE A PIPELINE LOCATION, OVER WHICH HEAVY EQUIPMENT CANNOT OPERATE, TO ALLOW FOR ERRORS IN ESTABLISHING THE APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF UNDER-GROUND FACILITIES.

Priority: CLASS III

Overall Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Issued Date: 1978-12-29

Adopted Date: 1978-12-07

Overall Date Closed: 1987-08-19

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: State of Missouri

Addressee Status: Closed - Unacceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1987-08-19

Addressee Acronym: MO

Addressee Organization Type: S-State Government

Communication Date: 1987-08-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: NO RESPONSE--FOLLOWUP LETTER.

Addressee Acronym: MO

Addressee Organization Type: S-State Government

Communication Date: 1987-10-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: MO

Addressee Organization Type: S-State Government

Communication Date: 1982-10-05

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Acronym: MO

Addressee Organization Type: S-State Government

Communication Date: 1987-08-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence