NTSB Safety Recommendation P-90-010

NTSB safety recommendation P-90-010.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE KANSAS POWER AND LIGHT GAS SERVICE COMPANY: INCLUDE IN ITS EXCAVATION DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM THE FREQUENCY OF ON-SITE INSPECTIONS WHEN EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES ARE OF AN EXTENDED DURATION.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1990-04-20

Adopted Date: 1990-03-27

Overall Date Closed: 1995-08-21

Synopsis: IN A 7-MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 16, 1988, THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATED 5 NATURAL GAS ACCIDENTS IN THE KANSAS CITY-TOPEKA AREA THAT INVOLVED THE GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS OWNED BY KANSAS POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY (KPL). CORROSION DAMAGE WAS INVOLVED ON EACH OF THE 3 GAS SERVICE LINES AND THE 2 CAST IRON GAS MAINS. EACH OF THE GAS LINES INVOLVED WERE INSTALLED BEFORE THE FEDERAL MINIMUM GAS PIPELINE SAFETY REGULATIONS BECAME EFFECTIVE AND THE FAILURES ON THE GAS SERVICE LINES INVOLVED CUSTOMER-OWNED PIPE THAT HAD NOT BEEN PROTECTED AGAINST CORROSION DAMAGE. THESE ACCIDENTS KILLED 4 PEOPLE, INJURED 12 OTHERS AND DESTROYED 4 HOUSES.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA89MP014

Report Number: PAR-90-01

Addressee Name: KPL Gas Service Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1995-08-21

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1990-10-15

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE COMPANY'S DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM IS BEING EXPANDED TO INCLUDE DAILY ON-SITE VISITS BY COMPANY PERSONNEL WHEN EVER EXCAVATION ACTIVITY OCCURS IN THE VICINITY OF ITS CAST IRON OR STEEL MAINS. EACH ON-SITE INSPECTION SHALL INCLUDE BOTH A VERIFICATION OF THE LOCATION OF THESE FACILITIES, A REVIEW OF SITE CONDITIONS, & A DISCUSSION WITH AVAILABLE CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL ON THE NEED FOR CAUTION WHILE EXCAVA TIONS ARE BEING PERFORMED NEAR GAS PIPING.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1995-06-19

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE COMPANY BELIEVES THIS RECOMMENDATION WAS ADDRESSED FULLY IN ITS RESPONSE TO Y0UR OFFICE ON 10/15/90.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1995-08-21

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE BOARD UNDERSTANDS THAT WESTERN RESOURCES EXPANDED ITS DAMAGE PREVENTION PROGRAM TO INCLUDE DAILY ON-SITE VISIT WHENEVER ACTIVITY OCCURS IN THE VICINITY OF CAST-IRON OR STEEL MAINS. INSPECTIONS INCLUDE VERIFICATION OF THE LOCATION OF THESE FACILITIES, A REVIEW OF SITE CONDITIONS, & A DISCUSSION WITH AVAILABLE CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL ON THE NEED FOR CAUTION WHEN PERFORMING MECHANIZED EXCAVATIONS NEAR GAS PIPING. P-90-10 IS THEREFORE CLASSIFIED "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1991-02-20

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1990-10-05

Communication Type: Official Correspondence