NTSB Safety Recommendation P-80-089

NTSB safety recommendation P-80-089.

TO THE RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: Amend 49 CFR 195 to include a section similar to proposed 49 CFR 192.614, damage prevention program, to require that all liquid pipeline operators develop, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of an excavation damage prevention program. (Superseded by P-84-026)

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Superseded

Issued Date: 1981-02-26

Adopted Date: 1980-12-19

Overall Date Closed: 1985-09-03

Synopsis: ON JANUARY 30, 1980, AN 8-INCH-DIAMETER, REFINED PETROLEUM PRODUCTS PIPELINE OWNED BY THE PIPELINES OF PUERTO RICO, INC., AND OPERATED BY THE SHELL OIL COMPANY (PUERTO RICO) LTD. WAS STRUCK AND RUPTURED BY A BULLDOZER DURING MAINTENANCE WORK ON A NEARBY WATERLINE IN THE SECTOR CANA OF BAYAMON, PUERTO RICO, ABOUT 10 MILES SOUTHWEST OF SAN JUAN. GASOLINE FROM THE RUPTURE SPRAYED DOWNHILL AND RAN OFF INTO A SMALL CREEK ABOUT 1 1/2 HOURS LATER, THE GASOLINE VAPORS WERE IGNITED BY AN UNDERTERMINED SOURCE AND EXPLODED; THE SUBSEQUENT FIRE KILLED ONE PERSON AND EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED 25 HOUSES AND OTHER PROPERTY.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA80MP008

Report Number: PAR-80-06

Addressee Name: RSPA

Addressee Status: Closed - Superseded

Addressee Date Closed: 1985-09-03

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1983-03-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: RSPA LETTER: THE FINAL RULE OF DOCKET PS-51 ESTABLISHES EFFECTIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR LIQUID PIPELINE OPERATORS TO DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, AND MONITOR PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE INCIDENTS INVOLVING EXCAVATION DAMAGE. SECTION 195.440 REQUIRES THAT OPERATORS ESTABLISH A CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM TO ENABLE THE PUBLIC, APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND PERSONS ENGAGED IN EXCAVATION RELATED ACTIVITIES TO RECOGNIZE A "LIQUID PIPELINE EMERGENCY."

Addressee Acronym: RSPA

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1985-09-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence