scope:

Description of Driving Event:

A JSC forklift operator struck and broke a 3/4 natural gas supply line servicing a suspended forced air gas heater in Building 422. The operator was moving a material pallet from the top shelf of storage bin. As he was backing the forklift to lower the load, the extended mast of the forklift struck the natural gas line. Due to the escaping gas, operations were shut down and the facility evacuated.

Root cause was the failure to perform a job hazard analysis and eliminate or control those hazards. The layout of storage in close proximity of suspended heaters should have been corrected. Also, scars and scratches on this and other gas lines and heaters is evidence of pervious physical contact.