Pipeline Ruptures, Pt. 4: Safety Tips

Welding story from Mississippi in the 80s. The two things to watch for when cutting the football. First, the time it takes for the pipe to heat up. Second, listen . . . if you hear hissing - your pipe is LIVE.

[@davidlambert2537]

Much respect Mr. Brister !!! I like the way you handle yourself and present your content....You have a wealth of experience and information for the younger guys in the industry and are a role model for us all... Thanks for bringing us along....GOD Bless !!!

[@GeraldWBrister]

Hope it helps someone, thank you for watching our work David!

[@lukebailey9532]

That is life saving information right there!

[@GeraldWBrister]

Thank you Luke!

[@patrickjames101]

I sure would enjoy working for you and being your apprentice, I appreciate the knowledge you share in the videos.

[@GeraldWBrister]

Thank you, very kind Patrick!

[@gusferguson8353]

VERY GOOD tips here Sir!!! This will someday save someone's life for sure! Directly or indirectly. Most think that they are doing something wrong or the pipe is thicker than they think when it takes longer to heat for a torch pierce. It's actually a product of some sort still in the line absorbing that heat instead. Mostly I deal with water being that product. But Natural Gas is a whole different deal. Water can be very dangerous due to the pressure and tonnage on large pipe. But a fuel gas can be explosive!!! If you EVER have a gut feeling that something isn't right..... Make a call!!! It's your life!!! Not theirs!!! Thank you once again Mr. Brister!!!

[@GeraldWBrister]

Thank you Gus!

[@aaronthompson6343]

Good job Mr.Gerald. 👏 👍 👌

[@GeraldWBrister]

Thank you Aaron!

[@mikez8404]

We always grind it then punch it with center punch and punch then flash it. 😂 now days we drill it with air drill and then use a gas monitor and you want zero our 100 percent. Then we cut the football and helpers mud it as we cut. Haven’t had any issues.😅😅

[@GeraldWBrister]

Thank you for sharing Mike!

[@wendell454]

Gerald, why would they not grind and punch with a center punch and hammer before they cut into any line. Me and my helper went out in western OK to help a contractor replace some 24" to 30" weld valves they were going to cut and fit and another welder and my self were going to weld them out. They were company welders they put there beveling band on and I mention were they not going to punch that before they cut into that , they let me know they knew what they were doing I said OK I told my helper let's go to the gate and smoke he said you don't smoke I said no but I'm going to today to get away from these idiots they're going to kill everyone. Needless to say they were condensate in the bottom of that pipe I've never heard a boom like that it shock every thing on that location you couldn't see nothing for awhile but a white cloud the only person that got hurt was the inspector when he took off running he cut his arm on one of the welders box. When everyone settled the inspector told everyone me and the other welder would be doing all the cutting and fitting from that point on. That's nothing to play with

[@GeraldWBrister]

I don’t know what the companies proceeder was. I wasn’t working on the job. I just had the story relayed to me by welders. I’ve worked for some major gas companies back then that would have you cut into cleared lines after their company clearance procedure was complete. You would get some flames from the residue gas inside as you made your cut , the helper would put those flames out buy smearing mud over the cut , that would starve the oxygen and put the fire out. Once the football was cut and sealed, you would cut a hole big enough for the nozzle of a fire extinguisher . You would then empty that fire extinguisher into the pipe. That would create a non flammable environment inside the pipe which allowed you to remove the cut piece , and continue with your project. The big problem for their project was that the wrong section had been cleared on the wrong line etc. Thank you Wendell!