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In This Issue

  1. Countermeasures to Prevent Human Fatigue in the Control Room
  2. Integrity Management Services
  3. Public Meeting on Integrity Management of Gas Distribution Pipelines
  4. RCP’s Fantastic 1-Page Version of New SPCC Regulation
  5. Changes to OCS Plan and Submittal Requirements
  6. RCP Services Spotlight – RCP Auditing, Due Diligence and Expert Witness Services
  7. O&M Manual Up-To-Date?
  8. Advisory Bulletin on Pilot Operated Pressure Relief Valve Testing
  9. Need to Update Your Current Operator Qualification Program?
  10. OPS Meeting on ILI Practices – Presentation Materials
  11. Need to update your Public Awareness Program?
  12. Pipeline Safety Trust Newsletter – #2
  13. Pipeline Associations Write to Senate on Pipeline Security (Courtesy of Ben Cooper, Association of Oil Pipe Lines)

Countermeasures to Prevent Human Fatigue in the Control Room

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) urges operators to evaluate potential risks associated with pipeline operator fatigue and shift rotation schedules and take measures to alleviate such risks. PHMSA has issued an advisory bulletin (ADB-05-06) help operators ensure that controllers are not assigned to shift duties while fatigued, to advise pipeline operators on considerations that could cause a reduction of mental alertness or decision-making ability, and to encourage safe management practices. This advisory also responds to the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) Safety Recommendation P-98-30, which urges PHMSA to establish industry guidelines for pipeline controller work schedules to reduce the likelihood of accidents attributable to controller fatigue. The advisory is available on OPS’s website at: http://ops.dot.gov/.

Several studies are electronically available that provide more information about operator fatigue, such as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Commercial Transportation Operator Fatigue Management Reference (2003), available at: http://ops.dot.gov/regs/reports/Fatigue%20Management%20Reference.pdf. This publication also references many other studies and reports on human fatigue.