NTSB Safety Recommendation P-89-009

NTSB safety recommendation P-89-009.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMMONWEALTH EDISON: EVALUATE THE TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBLE FOR LOCATING UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC LINES TO DETERMINE IF IT PROVIDES ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE TO IDENTIFY AND LOCATE UNDERGROUND FACILITIES AND THAT IT STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE TO PUBLIC SAFETY OF CORRECTLY LOCATING SUCH FACILITIES; CORRECT ANY DEFICIENCIES FOUND.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1989-10-03

Adopted Date: 1989-09-15

Overall Date Closed: 1990-01-19

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 SYS TEM, 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

Keywords: Excavation, Training and Education

Ntsbnumber: DCA88FP015

Report Number: PAR-89-01-SUM

Addressee Name: Commonwealth Edison

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1990-01-19

Addressee Acronym: ComEd

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1989-11-15

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: (SUMMARIZED) WE HAVE REVIEWED THE INCIDENT THOROUGHLY AND HAVE CONCLUDED THAT AN ENHANCEMENT CAN BE MADE TO OUR TRAINING PROGRAM SO THAT COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY PERSONNEL WORKING IN SUCH SITUATIONS WILL BE MORE ALERT TO THE PROPER LOCATION OF OUR FACILITIES. ACTION HAS NOW BEEN TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THESE ENCHANCEMENTS.

Addressee Acronym: ComEd

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1990-01-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence