Occupational Safety and Health Administration
                           Region VII
                      Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City Regional Notice CPL 2 December 8, 1994 Federal and State Operations

Subject: FY 1995 Local Emphasis Program (LEP) on Tunneling and Underground Construction

A. Purpose. To establish a method of accelerated inspection activity in the construction industry with primary emphasis on the old North Kansas City Water Treatment Plant water supply line.

B. Background. Kansas City, Missouri, has replaced the original underground portable water supply line which runs from the North Kansas City Treatment Plant south into the city. Now that the new line is in place, the original line installed in 1926 needs to be inspected, drained, and repaired. It will be the first time it has been off line since it was built. During that construction, it was determined to be a "gassy" tunnel, and there was an explosion incident involving the death of eight workers. This original tunnel is approximately 2.6 miles long and 300 feet deep. The City of Kansas City hopes to bid the work during the fall of 1994, and commence the repair project during the winter of 1994, or possibly the spring of 1995.

There have been several facilities and serious injuries in tunneling and underground construction activities nationwide, some that have resulted in criminal prosecution and considerable media attention. Normal construction scheduling will not allow for the more frequent inspections needed to assure construction safety during the critical stages.

C. Scope. This LEP concerns the evaluation of employee exposures while working in the tunneling and underground construction project involving the old North Kansas City Treatment Plant water supply line.

D. Action. Two inspections are planned during FY 1995.

E. Recording in IMIS. For each inspection under this program, OSHA-1 shall be coded R-4-DEEP TUNNEL.

F. Evaluation. An evaluation of the LEP will be submitted by October 16, 1995, based on statistical information such as number and type of violations found (if any), number of employees covered, and any proposed penalties.

G. Effective Date. This Notice is effective upon concurrence of the Regional Solicitor's Office and will remain in effect until September 30, 1995.

John T. Phillips Regional Administrator

Distribution:

Office of Field Programs Directorate of Compliance Programs Directorate of Administrative Programs Regional Administrator Deputy Regional Administrator Labor Liaison Field Review Program Coordinator Area Directors Assistant Area Directors District Office Director Supervisory Investigator Assistant Regional Administrators

SOL Concurrence: ____________________________

Date: 12/13/94