NTSB Safety Recommendation P-83-013

NTSB safety recommendation P-83-013.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE NORTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY: INSTRUCT ITS EMPLOYEES TO CLEARLY EXPLAIN TO CONTRACTORS WORKING NEAR COMPANY FACILITIES THAT THE DEPTH OF A PIPELINE MAY CHANGE ABRUPTLY IN SHORT DISTANCES AND THAT THE CONTRACTOR SHOULD IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE COMPANY ABOUT ANY CHANGES IN PLANNED EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action

Issued Date: 1983-06-13

Adopted Date: 1983-05-17

Overall Date Closed: 1995-06-20

Synopsis: ON NOVEMBER 4, 1982, A TILE PLOW INSTALLING FIELD DRAINAGE TILE ON A FARM LOCATED 4 MILES WEST OF HUDSON, IOWA, STRUCK AND PUNCTURED A WELL MARKED, 20-INCH-DIAMETER NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION PIPELINE, NATURAL GAS ESCAPING AT ABOUT 820 PSIG IGNITED IMMEDIATELY, AND THE ENSURING FIRE KILLED FIVE PERSONS, DESTROYED FIVE PIECES OF EXCAVATON MACHINERY AND TWO PICKUP TRUCKS, AND BURNED SEVERAL ACRES OF SOYBEAN STUBBLE.

Probable Cause: The probable cause was the contractor’s decision to change the planned tile installation route without notifying Northern Natural Gas, combined with Northern’s maintenance employee leaving the job site before excavation activities near the pipelines were complete, which allowed the tile plow to strike and puncture the pipeline.

Ntsbnumber: DCA83MP004

Report Number: PAR-83-02

Addressee Name: Northern Natural Gas Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1995-06-20

Addressee Acronym: NNG

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1995-06-20

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE BOARD NOTES THAT ENRON NORTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY'S EXCAVATION SITE INSPECTION FORM IS DESIGNED TO CONFIRM COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE & THE EXCAVATOR REGARDING THE TIMETABLE OF EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES. THE FORM ALSO WARNS EXCAVATOR NEVER TO ASSUME THE LOCATION OF PIPELINES BECAUSE THEIR DEPTHS CAN VARY SUBSTANTIALLY IN SHORT DISTANCES & PIPELINES CAN CHANGE DIRECTIONS ABRUPTLY BETWEEN ABOVEGROUND PHYSICAL EVIDENCE. THE EXCAVATOR IS ADDITIONALLY INSTRUCTED TO CALL THE COMPANY SHOULD THE PLANNED EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES CHANGE. BECAUSE THIS FORM COMPLIES WITH THE INTENT OF THE RECOMMEDATION, P-83-13 HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ALERNATE ACTION."

Addressee Acronym: NNG

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1983-08-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: NORTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY LETTER: WE AGREE WITH THE BASIS OF THIS RECOMMENDATION, TO WARN PERSONS WORKING NEAR GAS PIPELINES NOT TO ASSUME ITS LOCATION. ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THE WARNING IS THE PIPELINE'S CHANGING DEPTH. THE WARNING CURRENTLY IS INCLUDED IN NORTHERN'S PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, BUT THAT REASON IS NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED. THEREFORE, NORTHERN IS ADDING THAT INFORMATION TO SOME OF ITS PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS THAT ARE REGULARLY PROVIDED TO EXCAVATING CONTRACTORS. NORTHERN IS ALSO DEVELOPING FOR USE BY ITS INSPECTORS A FORM OF "CHECK SHEET" WHICH HAS TWO PURPOSES. ITS FIRST PURPOSE IS TO REMIND THE CONTRACTOR OF THE PRECAUTIONS HE IS EXPECTED TO OBSERVE WHEN WORKING NEAR GAS PIPELINES. THE SECOND PURPOSE IS TO STRENGTHEN ON-SITE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND CONTRACTORS.

Addressee Acronym: NNG

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1995-03-23

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE ENRON GAS PIPELINE OPERATING COMPANY-OPERATING PROCEDURES PROGRAM ESTABLISHED A DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO COMPANY GAS FACILITIES IN THE VICINITY OF EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES. THIS PROCEDURE HELPS SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF DOT REGULATION 192.614. IT ALSO SATISFIES PERTINENT STATE STATUES FOR INTRASTATE & NONJURISDICTIONAL GATHERING PIPELINE PERTAINING TO EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES.

Addressee Acronym: NNG

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1984-01-09

Communication Type: Official Correspondence