NTSB Safety Recommendation P-91-007

NTSB safety recommendation P-91-007.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE TEXAS EASTERN PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY: USE ONLY QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES TO MOVE PRESSURIZED LIQUID PIPELINES.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1991-07-17

Adopted Date: 1991-06-11

Overall Date Closed: 2002-04-03

Synopsis: ON MARCH 13, 1990, THE TEXAS EASTERN PRODUCTS PIPELINE COMPANY (TEPPCO) LINE P-41, AN 8-INCH-DIAMETE LIQUID PROPANE PIPELINE, RUPTURED WITHIN A PIPELINE CASING BENEATH COUNTY ROAD 43 (CR 43) NEAR THE VILLAGE OF NORTH BLENHEIM, NEW YORK. LIQUID PROPANE GAS ESCAPED FROM THE ENDS OF THE CASING, VAPORIZED, & FORMED A WHITE, HEAVIER-THAN-AIR GAS CLOUD. THE GAS CLOUD FLOWED DOWNHILL ALONG CR 43 UNTIL IT ENTERED NORTH BLENHEIM & IGNITED. THE FIRE QUICKLY CONSUMED THE PROPANE VAPOR & FLASHED BACK TO THE PIPELINE RUPTURE, TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED, SEVEN PERSONS INJURED AND MORE THAN $4 MILLION IN PROPERTY DAMAGE & OTHER COSTS RESULTED.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA90MP006

Report Number: PAR-91-01

Addressee Name: Texas Eastern Gas Pipeline Corporation

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2002-04-03

Addressee Acronym: TETCo

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2002-04-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board understands that TEPPCO has an extensive training program including computer-based, on-the-job, and safety training, and other training developed and administered by third-party sources; that this training program focuses on all operations and maintenance-related functions; and that each field and control center employee has been trained through this program. Further, TEPPCO indicates that it will comply with the requirements of Title 49, United States Code, Part 195, Subpart G-"Operator Qualification," and this regulatory requirement will enhance TEPPCO's internal training. In addition, covered tasks identified through the operator qualification program will require written and performance assessments that each employee must complete satisfactorily to be qualified to perform the task. Because TEPPCO has developed and conducted employee training and testing programs to annually qualify employees to perform each responsibility assigned to them and has taken action to ensure that only qualified employees move pressurized liquid pipelines, Safety Recommendations P-91-5 and -7 are classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."

Addressee Acronym: TETCo

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1992-06-01

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE BOARD WOULD APPRECIATE RECEIVING MORE DEFINITIVE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TEPPCO IS COMPLYING WITH SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING INFORMATION ON THE FORMAL "ACTION-FORCING" REQUIREMENTS MENTIONED.

Addressee Acronym: TETCo

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2001-09-28

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: To date, the Safety Board has not received any further response from TEPPCO addressing any of these recommendations. The Board would appreciate being informed about the efforts that have been made or are being made to implement Safety Recommendations P-91-5 through -10. Enclosed are copies of all correspondence concerning these safety recommendations. Please address your response to Ms. Marion C. Blakey, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board and refer to the recommendations by number in your response.

Addressee Acronym: TETCo

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2002-01-18

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 01/24/2002 12:06:04 PM MC# 2020082 TEPPCO has historically employed an extensive training program comprised of computer-base training, on-the-job training, safety training and training developed and administered by third-party sources. The training program focuses on all operations and maintenance related functions. Each field and Control Center employee has been trained through this program. TEPPCO will comply with the requirements of Title 49, Part 195, Subpart G - Operator Qualification. This regulatory requirement will enhance TEPPCO's historical internal training for producing a qualified workforce capable of performing each responsibility assigned to them. Covered Tasks identified through the Operator Qualification program will require a written and a performance assessment that each employee will have to satisfactorily perform to be qualified to perform the task. Additionally, TEPPCO is committed to continue its historical training program.

Addressee Acronym: TETCo

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1991-10-10

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: TEPPCO STATES THAT IT ALREADY COMPLIES SUBSTANTIALLY WITH THEM. TEPPCO ALSO STATES THAT IT IS IMPOSING MORE FORMAL "ACTION-FORCING" REQUIREMENTS ON SUPERVISIORS AND EMPLOYEES AS AN EXTRA PRECAUTION.