The long anticipated Operator Qualification Rule went final on August 27, 1999.  The final rule requires pipeline operators to develop and maintain a written qualification program for all individuals performing covered tasks on DOT regulated pipelines.  A covered task is any task identified by the operator that is performed on a pipeline facility, is an operation or maintenance task, is performed as a requirement of 49 CFR Part 192 or 195, and effects the operation or integrity of the pipeline.

The written program shall include the provisions to:

• Identify covered tasks,
• Ensure through evaluation that individuals performing these tasks are qualified,
• Allow unqualified individuals to perform a covered task if directed and observed by a qualified person,
• Evaluate the qualified individual if the operator has reason to believe that this person’s actions contributed to an incident or accident as defined in 49 CFR Part 191 or 195,
• Communicate changes that affect covered tasks, and
• Identify the covered tasks and the interval of evaluation of the individual’s qualifications.

This written program must be in place by April 27, 2001 with the qualification of individuals completed by October 28, 2002.  Personnel who were performing these tasks prior to August 27, 1999 may be qualified by a work performance review solely.  However, after October 28, 2002 work performance reviews may not be used as a sole evaluation method.

Qualification records shall be maintained that give the individual’s name, his qualified tasks, date of current qualification and the qualification method.  These records shall be maintained for as long as the operator is performing the task and for 5 years thereafter.

The Federal Register Final Notice is available on the RCP website.

The Office of Pipeline Safety issued an advisory bulletin on August 27, 1999 , in the Federal Register (64 Fed. Reg. 46967 ), to advise owners and operators of hazardous liquid and natural gas pipelines to review and amend as necessary their written damage prevention program to ensure there are provisions to minimize the risks associated with directional drilling and other trenchless technology operations near buried pipelines. RSPA has modified its hazardous liquid pipeline inspection form to examine how operators monitor these trenchless technology operations.

The Office of Pipeline Safety is accepting comments on a proposed renewal of information collection for oil spill response plans prepaired by onshore oil pipeline operators. Comments must be received on or before October 25, 1999 to be assured for consideration. The reference docket number of RSPA-98-4957 should appear on all comments.

Possible issues to will be – going to a 4 or 5 year submittal frequency instead of the 3 year frequency issued by the DOT and noting that the “information burden” of 47 hours per respondent is very low.

Also in the news is the proposed rulemaking that would require the last operator of an abandoned offshore pipeline (or those pipelines that cross through, under or over a navigable water) to submit a report of abandonment to the Secretary of Transportation. Comments on the proposal must be received on or before October 29, 1999.