June, 2010

This is a repeating event

201007JunAll DayEnterprise Products Pipeline Fire 2010Cleburne, Texas (US-TX)Lessons:Contractor Management,Control of Work,Emergency PreparednessIndustry:PipelinesCountry:United StatesLanguage:ENLoC:Impact Origin: NTSB Incident:EXPLOSIONHazards:FlammableContributory Factors:Object impactImpact:HUMAN (On Site Fatalities)Effects:1-10 FatalitiesMaterial:Methane

Summary

On June 7, 2010, at 2:40 p.m., a truck-mounted power auger (auger truck) operated by C&H Power Line Construction (C&H) struck and punctured a 36-inch-diameter natural gas transmission pipeline operated by Enterprise Products Operating, LLC (Enterprise). C&H, a contractor working for Brazos Electric (Brazos), was using the auger truck to dig holes for the installation of new electric service utility poles.

The accident occurred about 45 miles southwest of Fort Worth, Texas, near the town of Cleburne. The natural gas ignited and killed the auger operator and burned six workers, who were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The pipeline had a maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) of 1,051 pounds per square inch, gauge (psig) and was operating at 950 psig at the time of the accident. Total property damage and clean-up costs were estimated to be $1,029,000.

Origin

NTSBNational Transportation Safety Board

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