NTSB Safety Recommendation P-89-008

NTSB safety recommendation P-89-008.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE NORTH SHORE GAS COMPANY: REVISE THE OPERATING MANUAL OF THE DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT TO INCLUDE: (A) GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYEES IN PLANNING AND SAFELY PERFORMING EXCAVATIONS ADJACENT TO THE COMPANY'S BURIED PIPELINES; (B) DETAILED PROCEDURES ON WHEN TO USE POWER EQUIPMENT AND WHEN TO HAND DIG; AND (C) GUIDELINES ON USING MAPS, PIPE LOCATORS, AND OTHER MEANS TO LOCATE LINES PRIOR TO DIGGING.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1989-10-03

Adopted Date: 1989-09-15

Overall Date Closed: 2002-12-30

Synopsis: ON AUGUST 31, 1988, A NORTH SHORE GAS COMPANY (NSG) CREW STRUCK AND RUPTURED A FITTING ON A 4-INCH PLASTIC GAS MAIN IN GREEN OAKS, ILLINOIS. WHILE THE CREW WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXCAVATE A NEARBY VALVE TO SHUT OFF THE FLOW OF GAS, THE BACKHOE STRUCK AN UNMARKED POWER CABLE. THE GAS IGNITED AND FOUR NSG EMPLOYEES WERE INJURED. ON JULY 11, 1988, DURING ITS ANNUAL INSPECTION OF EMERGENCY SHUTOFF VALVES, AN NSG CREW NOTED THAT THE VALVE BOX AND MARKER POLE FOR A 4-INCH VALVE (M4148) BESIDE BUCKLEY ROAD IN GREEN OAKS, ILLINOIS, HAD BEEN STRUCK AND NEEDED TO BE RESET. ON AUGUST 29, 1988, NSG NOTIFIED JULIE, A ONE-CALL EXCAVATION NOTIFICATION SYSTEM, OF ITS INTENT TO EXCAVATE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF BUCKLEY ROAD 580 FEET EAST OF ITS INTERSECTION WITH SAINT MARY'S ROAD. THE LOCAL TELEPHONE AND ELECTRIC POWER COMPANIES RESPONDED TO THE NOTIFICATION. ON AUGUST 31, 1988, A TWO PERSON NSG CREW--A DISTRIBUTION OPERATOR (DO) AND A HELPER- RECEIVED A VALVE INSPECTION FORM, WHICH ALSO SERVED AS THEIR WORK ORDER FOR REPAIRING THE VALVE BOX AND MARKER POLE. THE FORM REPORTED THE LOCATION OF THE VALVE, ITS NUMBER, WHEN IT WAS INSPECTED, A DESCRIPTION OF THE VALVE INCLUDING ITS SIZE, AND REMARKS MADE BY THE INITIAL SURVEY CREW.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA88FP015

Report Number: PAR-89-01-SUM

Addressee Name: North Shore Gas Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2002-12-30

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2002-10-04

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 10/16/2002 11:09:53 AM MC# 2020864 Implementation of this recommendation was completed. See attached Main Work Order #1.093, "Directions For Use Of Pipe Locator", dated 01-01-90 and Main Work Order #1.094, "Procedure For Planning And Safely Performing Excavations With Power or Air Operated Equipment Near Company And Other Underground Facilities", dated 01-01-90. Both of these orders are contained in the North Shore Gas Distribution Manual and provide the guidelines and procedures requested in the above recommendation.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1989-11-17

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE NSG DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT MANUAL IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REVISED. EMPLOYEE TRAINING WILL FOLLOW.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2002-09-10

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: NSG's November 17, 1989, response indicated that the company concurred with the recommendations and was taking action as requested. Accordingly, on January 19, 1990, Safety Recommendations P-89-7 and -8 were classified "Open--Acceptable Response," pending receipt of further information from NSG that action was completed. The Safety Board is interested in knowing whether and how its recommendations are implemented, both to ensure that the public is provided the highest level of safety, and to identify creative solutions that might be shared with others. That is why we monitor the implementation of all our recommendations. Although several years have passed, we would appreciate receiving information from you regarding actions taken to implement the recommendations.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2002-12-30

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Mr. Doerk reports that NSG completed action on this recommendation in 1990. Specifically, on January 1, 1990, NSG issued Main Work Order #1.093, "Directions For Use Of Pipe Locator," and Main Work Order #1.094, "Procedure For Planning And Safely Performing Excavations With Power or Air Operated Equipment Near Company And Other Underground Facilities." Further, both of these orders are contained in the NSG’s Distribution Manual, providing the guidelines and procedures requested. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-89-8 is classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1990-01-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence