Inspection Detail

Inspection: 111065959 - Knoxville Utility-Job Site

Inspection Information - Office: Tennessee Osha Knoxville Office - Public Sector

Investigation Summary

A gas-leak repair crew of the Knoxville Utilities Board's gas division was installing a pipe drop in a 6 inch natural gas pipeline. The drop had to be installed because a contractor that was laying a large 18 inch concrete tile drain in the gas line ruptured the cast-iron pipeline. The drop consisted of a 6 inch plastic pipe with 90 degree elbows that allowed the new line to go under the tile drain. The newly installed plastic pipe was attached to a stub of cast-iron pipe that went into an old undisturbed cast-iron fitting. Stresses on the plastic pipe caused the old stub to pull out (separate), allowing the full flow of a 6 inch pressurized gas line to flow over the workers. The gas line was ignited by a propane torch in the work area. An explosion and fire ensued, killing Employee #1.

Keywords: INSTALLING, FIRE, NATURAL GAS, PROPANE TORCH, EXPLOSION, PIPELINE