NTSB Safety Recommendation P-98-033

NTSB safety recommendation P-98-033.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE COLONIAL PIPELINE COMPANY: REVIEW YOUR DRUG & ALCOHOL TESTING PROGRAM & ENSURE THAT ALL OPERATING EMPLOYEES & MANAGERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAM & PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS, TO INCLUDE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN TESTS FOR ALCOHOL & TESTS FOR OTHER DRUGS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1998-11-18

Adopted Date: 1998-11-03

Overall Date Closed: 2001-01-09

Synopsis: ABOUT 11:54 P.M EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME ON 6/26/96, A 36-INCH-DIAMETER COLONIAL PIPELINE COMPANY PIPELINE RUPTURED WHERE A CORRODED SECTION OF THE PIPELINE CROSSED THE REEDY RIVER AT FORK SHOALS, SOUTH CAROLINA. THE RUPTURE PIPELINE RELEASED ABOUT 957,600 GALLONS OF FUEL OIL INTO THE REEDY RIVER & SURROUNDING AREAS. THE ESTIMATED COST TO COLONIAL FOR CLEANUP & SETTLEMENT WITH THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA WAS $20.5 MILLION. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT.

Probable Cause: The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of the rupture of the corrosion-weakened pipeline at the Reedy River crossing was the failure of Colonial Pipeline Company (1) to have adequate management controls in place to protect the corroded pipeline at the Reedy River crossing; and (2) to ensure that pipeline controllers were adequately trained to both recognize and respond properly to operational emergencies, abnormal conditions, and pipeline leaks.

Ntsbnumber: DCA96MP005

Report Number: PAR-98-01

Addressee Name: Colonial Pipeline Company

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 2001-01-09

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2000-10-03

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: Letter Mail Controlled 10/10/2000 4:20:45 PM MC# 2001516 1. Colonial has reviewed it's drug and alcohol testing program to ensure that all operating employees and managers are familiar with the program and program requirements, including the distinction between tests for alcohol and tests for other drugs. Colonial established and implemented (pursuant to CPF 27501 issued by the Office of Pipeline Safety following the Reedy River incident) an annual operating personnel refresher training program in 1998. In 1999, this annual refresher-training program was revised to include a training module specifically addressing Colonial's drug and alcohol program. All operating personnel (controllers, operators, technicians and operations managers) must complete the refresher course on an annual basis. The refresher course is designed to address the drug and alcohol testing requirements set forth in 49 CFR Part 199, Colonial's Corporate Policy No. 43 (Anti-Drug Plan for DOT Requirements) and Colonial's Corporate Policy No. 46 (Alcohol Misuse Prevention Plan.).

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2000-07-17

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: TO DATE THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE TO P-98-31 THROUGH -33. THE SAFETY BOARD WOULD APPRECIATE LEARNING WHAT ACTION COLONIAL HAS TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.

Addressee Organization Type: P-Private Industry

Communication Date: 2001-01-09

Communication Type: Official Correspondence

Communication Contents: The Safety Board is pleased that Colonial has reviewed its drug and alcohol testing program and has taken action to ensure that all operating employees and managers are familiar with the program and program requirements, including the distinction between tests for alcohol and tests for other drugs, as requested. Accordingly, Safety Recommendation P-98-33 is classified “Closed—Acceptable Action.”