BLACK HILLS ENERGY
gas_distribution Incident — ANDALE, KS — September 28, 2010
Incident Information
| Incident Date | September 28, 2010 |
| Operator | BLACK HILLS ENERGY |
| Commodity | NATURAL GAS |
| Pipeline Type | gas_distribution |
Location
| City | ANDALE |
| State | KS |
| County | SEDGWICK |
| Coordinates | 37.79000, -97.62900 |
Cause
| Cause | INCORRECT OPERATION |
| Subcause | OTHER INCORRECT OPERATION |
Casualties
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 1 |
Costs
| Property Damage | $200 |
| Emergency Response | $750 |
| Other Costs | $0 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
"WHILE DIGGING UP A 2"" PE MAIN OUR CONTRACTOR, UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS CONSTRUCTION HIT A 3/4"" SERVICE LINE THAT CONTAINED 44PSIG OF PRESSURE. THE LABORER AND OPERATOR PROCEEDED TO DIG UP AND FURTHER EXPOSE THE DAMAGED SERVICE LINE WITH SHOVELS WHEN THE NATURAL GAS SUDDENLY IGNITED CAUSING 2ND DEGREE BURNS TO THEIR HANDS, FACE, AND ARMS. THE CREW FOREMAN IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A 4TH CONTRACT EMPLOYEE SQUEEZED OFF THE LINE, STOPPING THE GAS FLOW. BOTH INJURED EMPLOYEES WERE TAKEN TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL AND LATER TRANSPORTED TO THE LOCAL BURN UNIT. ONE WAS TREATED AND RELEASED AND THE OTHER WAS KEPT OVERNIGHT FOR OBSERVATION AND RELEASED THE NEXT MORNING."
About This Pipeline Incident
Pipeline incident data is reported to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). All significant incidents involving fatalities, injuries, or property damage over $50,000 must be reported.