NTSB Safety Recommendation P-92-022

NTSB safety recommendation P-92-022.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE CONSUMERS POWER COMPANY: CONDUCT PRE-WORK MEETINGS WITH CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES TO INSTRUCT THEM ON THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF THE WORK AND ON THE ACTIONS TO TAKE IN AN EMERGENCY.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1992-07-08

Adopted Date: 1992-06-19

Overall Date Closed: 1992-12-08

Synopsis: ABOUT 12:00 NOON EASTERN DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ON JULY 17, 1991, WORKERS WERE REMOVING A CORRODE SEGMENT OF THE CONSUMERS POWER COMPANY'S (CP) 10-INCH-DIAMETER TRANSMISSION LINE PIPELINE AT BAILEY BRIDGE ROAD IN MAPLETON, MICHIGAN. AS A SEGMENT OF THE PIPELINE WAS BEING REMOVED, NATURAL GAS AT 360-PSIG PRESSURE EXERTED ABOUT 12 TONS OF FORCE ON AN ADJACENT CLOSED VALVE (H-143) CAUSING IT AND A SHORT SEGMENT OF CONNECTED PIPE TO MOVE AND SEPARATE FROM AN UNANCHORED COMPRESSION COUPLING. THE FORCE OF THE ESCAPING GAS KILLED ON WORKER (A WELDER), INJURED FIVE OTHER WORKERS, AND COLLAPSED A STEEL PIT THAT HOUSED VALVE H-143.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA91FP010

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: Consumers Power Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1992-12-08

Addressee Acronym: CMS

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1992-12-08

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: THE BOARD NOTES THAT THE CP HAS EXPANDED ITS PREJOB PLANNING MEETING REQUIREMENTS TO INCLUDE CONTRACTORS EMPLOYEES WHEN REVIEWING POTENTIAL HAZARDS & THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO EMERGENCY CONDITIONS. CONSEQUENTLY, RECOMMENDATION P-92-22 HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."

Addressee Acronym: CMS

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 1992-09-25

Communication Type: Official Correspondence