Abstract: EMPLOYEES #1, #2 AND #3 WERE IN THE PROCESS OF CUTTING A 6 5/16 INCH INSIDE DIAMETER NATURAL GAS PIPELINE. THE PIPELINE WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN DEPRESSURIZED BEFORE THE CUTTING OPERATION WAS BEGUN. THE PIPELINE'S NORMAL OPERATING PRESSURE RANGE IS 800-1000 PSI. WHEN THE LINE WAS CUT, THE PRESSURE WAS RELEASED WITH GREAT FORCE. THE PIPE CUTTER WAS BROKEN INTO AT LEAST FOUR PIECES. ONE PIECE STRUCK EMPLOYEE #1 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOREHEAD. HE WAS BLOWN FROM THE FIVE FOOT DEEP EXCAVATION AND LANDED APPROXIMATELY 110 FEET FROM THE PIPE CUT. EMPLOYEE #2 WAS BLOWN APPROXIMATELY 70 FEET FROM THE PIPE CUT. EMPLOYEE #3 WAS BLOWN APPROXIMATLEY 15 FEET IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.