SOUTHWEST GAS CORP

Incident Narrative

AN OPERATOR WORKING FOR C.G. AND B. ENTERPRISES STRUCK AND DAMAGED A SIX-INCH PE MAIN WITH A TRACKHOE WHILE EXCAVATING TO INSTALL A WATER LINE IN THE INTERSECTION OF SAINT ROSE PARKWAY AND EASTERN AVENUE IN HENDERSON. LINE LOCATION MARKS WERE PROVIDED FOR THIS SECTION OF MAIN, HOWEVER, THE MARKS WERE NOT WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR INCHES OF THE FACILITY. NO DEATH OR INJURY RESULTED FROM THE INCIDENT AND SERVICE TO 2317 ACTIVE CUSTOMERS WAS RESTORED AFTER THE MAIN WAS REPAIRED. THE INCIDENT WAS TELEPHONICALLY REPORTED TO THE NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER WHEN THE ESTIMATED INCIDENT COST TO SOUTHWEST GAS WAS DETERMINED TO EXCEED 50,000 DOLLARS. SUPPLEMENTAL: FOLLOWING THE REPORT SUBMITTED ON NOVEMBER 29, 2011, ADDITIONAL DETAILS WERE DISCOVERED. AFTER THE EXCAVATOR FAILED TO MANUALLY DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION MAIN WITHIN THE AREA MARKED BY SOUTHWEST GAS, THE EXCAVATOR DID NOT CONTACT THE ONE-CALL CENTER OR SOUTHWEST GAS TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL LOCATION INFORMATION AS REQUIRED. INSTEAD, THE EXCAVATOR BEGAN POWERED EXCAVATION OPERATIONS AND DAMAGED THE DISTRIBUTION MAIN. SUPPLEMENTAL: FOLLOWING THE REPORT SUBMITTED ON DECEMBER 9, 2011, ADDITIONAL DETAILS WERE DISCOVERED. THE EXCAVATOR WAS NOT REQUIRED BY STATE LAW TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL LOCATION INFORMAION. ACCORDINGLY, THE PREDOMINANT CAUSE WAS INCORRECT FACILITY RECORDS/MAPS.