NTSB Safety Recommendation P-82-035

NTSB safety recommendation P-82-035.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE MISSOURI POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY: ESTABLISH A PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM FOR THE PREVENTION OF EXCAVATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO UNDERGROUND FACILITIES AND SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A "ONE-CALL" NOTIFICATION SYSTEM IN ITS AREA OF OPERATION.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1982-09-08

Adopted Date: 1982-08-24

Overall Date Closed: 1983-02-16

Synopsis: ON JANUARY 28, 1982, AT CENTRALIA, MISSOURI, NATURAL GAS AT 47 PSIG ENTERED A LOW PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WHICH NORMALLY OPERATED AT 11 INCHES WATER COLUMN (0.40 PSIG) AFTER A BACKHOE BUCKET SNAGGED, RUPTURED, AND SEPARATED THE 3/4-INCH-DIAMETER STEEL PRESSURE REGULATOR CONTROL LINE AT THE MISSOURI POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY'S DISTRICT REGULATOR STATION NO. 1. THE BACKHOE, WHICH WAS OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE CITY OF CENTRALIA, WAS BEING USED TO CLEAN A DITCH LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE PRESSURE REGULATOR STATION. THE HIGH PRESSURE GAS ENTERING CUSTOMER PIPING SYSTEMS IN SOME CASES RESULTED IN HIGH PILOT LIGHT FLAMES WHICH INITIATED FIRES IN BUILDINGS; WHILE IN OTHER CASES, THE PILOT LIGHT FLAMES WERE BLOWN OUT, ALLOWING GAS TO ESCAPE WITHIN THE BUILDINGS. OF THE 167 BUILDINGS AFFECTED BY THE OVER PRESSURE, 12 WERE DESTROYED AND 32 SUSTAINED MODERATE TO HEAVY DAMAGES. FIVE PERSONS RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.

Probable Cause: None

Keywords: Excavation, Training and Education

Ntsbnumber: DCA82MP010

Report Number: PAR-82-03

Addressee Name: Missouri Power and Light Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1983-02-16

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1982-10-07

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: MISSOURI POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY LETTER: WE HAVE ALREADY INCREASED OUR ADVERTISING PROGRAM RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM AND ARE WORKING WITH THE MISSOURI PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND ALL THE OTHER GAS UTILITIES TOWARD THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATEWIDE DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1995-02-13

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: In its comments issued on February 13, 1983, the NTSB classified this recommendation as "Closed-- Acceptable ActionII but requested a description of our work with the Missouri Public Service Commission to establish a statewide damage prevention program and copies of some of our public awareness efforts in this area. The State of Missouri has adopted the Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act and a "one-call" notification system to insure public notice to excavators of the location of underground utility facilities. UE fully supports and participates in these programs. Enclosed are copies of some of UE's public awareness advertisements, bill messages, letters, and pamphlets which typify our efforts to communicate to excavators. For your additional information, the Missouri Public Service Commission regularly audits our public awareness program.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1983-02-16

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: We have accepted your increased advertising program and further work with the Missouri Public Service Commission to establish a statewide damage-prevention program as meeting the intent of P-82-35. We have classified it as “Closed--Acceptable Action,*’ but would appreciate a description of your work with the Public Service Commission and copies of some of your public awareness efforts in this area.