February 2010 Issue
In This Issue
- DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – Gas, Liquids, DIMP & Control Room Management March 2, 3, and 4, 2010 / Houston, TX
- Advisory Bulletin ADB-10-01 Liquid Pipeline Leak Detection
- Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2010-01): Revised Incident/Accident Report Forms
- RCP’s Web-Based Compliance Management Systems
- DIMP Integration
- Key Features
- Advisory Bulletin ADB-09-04 – Reporting Drug and Alcohol Test Results for Contractors & Multiple Operator Identification Numbers
- Control Room Management/Human Factors Rule Correction
- Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs
- FINAL Amendments to the SPCC Rule
- SPCC UPDATE
- Leak Detection Conference February 23, 2010
DOT Pipeline Compliance Workshop – Gas, Liquids, DIMP & Control Room Management March 2, 3, and 4, 2010 / Houston, TX
Join us March 2-4, 2010 in Houston at the Crowne Plaza Downtown for an
informative, lively, and interactive workshop on DOT Pipeline Compliance and
OPA Planning for DOT Pipelines. This workshop has been attended by hundreds of
pipeline personnel, with excellent feedback. The workshop provides an overview
of the DOT pipeline regulations, and is appropriate for people who are new to
pipeline regulations, who could use a refresher, or anyone who needs to know
the latest information in these areas.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
Day 1 (March 2): Liquid Pipeline Regulations (49CFR195)
Each attendee will receive general training materials which include the
applicable DOT 49 CFR 195 regulations for hazardous liquid pipelines (cd-rom),
inspection checklists, and speaker’s PowerPoint presentation handouts. The
workshop will include an introduction to DOT/OPS pipeline compliance; State and
Federal program variations, roles and responsibilities; design, construction,
operations, maintenance, and emergency response requirements; spill response
planning requirements; how to monitor rulemaking activity and stay current with
your compliance program; operator qualification and public awareness.
Day 2 (March 3): Gas Pipeline Regulations (49CFR192)
Each attendee will receive general training materials which include the
applicable DOT 49 CFR 192 regulations for gas pipelines (cd-rom), inspection
checklists, and speaker’s PowerPoint presentation handouts. The workshop will
include an introduction to DOT/OPS pipeline compliance; State and Federal
program variations, roles and responsibilities; design, construction,
operations, maintenance, and emergency response requirements; how to monitor
rulemaking activity and stay current with your compliance program; operator
qualification, public awareness; and a specific emphasis on the gas integrity
management regulations.
Day 3 (March 4): DIMP and Control Room Management
Morning Session: Control Room Management
On December 3, 2009, PHMSA published their final rule on control room
management for gas and liquid pipeline operators to amend their existing
written O&M procedures, operator qualification (OQ) programs, and emergency
plans to assure controllers and control room management practices and
procedures used maintain pipeline safety and integrity. The Final Rule adds
provisions to 49 CFR parts 192, 193, and 195. This workshop session will
discuss the regulations that address fatigue management and other components of
control room management, i.e. alarm management, controller qualifications,
controller human factors, and management of change.
Afternoon Session: DIMP
On December 4, 2009, PHMSA published the final rule for Distribution Integrity
Management Programs (DIMP) which is applicable to gas distribution operators
and became effective on February 2, 2010. The DIMP regulations are
listed in Part 192 as a new Subpart P Gas Distribution Pipeline Integrity Management.
The compliance deadline for developing a written distribution IM plan and
implementing the plan is August 2, 2011 (18 months from the effective date).
This workshop session will discuss the key elements of the DIMP regulation,
including key strategies that gas distribution operators should consider when
developing and implementing DIMP.
To register, or for additional information, go to our website.
Advisory Bulletin ADB-10-01 Liquid Pipeline Leak Detection
[Docket No. PHMSA-2009-0421]
The
Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA) issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-10-01 to the owners or operators of
hazardous liquid pipelines concerning leak detection on hazardous liquid
pipelines. In order to ensure the safe and environmentally sound operation of
their hazardous liquid pipelines, the operating plans and procedures required
by the pipeline safety regulations should include the performance of an
engineering analysis to determine if a computer-based leak detection system is
necessary to improve leak detection performance and line balance processes.
If the analysis determines that a computerized leak detection system is
unnecessary, it is PHMSA’s expectation that the operator should perform a line
balance calculation and review process at no greater than one-hour intervals
whenever product is flowing through the line, and monitor for pressure changes,
meter movement and tank level changes even when the line is not flowing. As
part of the recordkeeping requirements under current regulations, operators
must retain documentation from any related engineering analyses for the
computerized leak detection and line balance considerations to demonstrate the
thoroughness of review during an inspection.
In addition, operators need to ensure open and regular communication between
all active source and delivery points along the pipeline, either through verbal
communication or through the use of SCADA or other similar technology.
For more information or a copy of ADB-10-01, contact Jessica
Roger.
Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2010-01): Revised Incident/Accident Report Forms
[Docket No. PHMSA-2008-0211]
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-2010-01 advising owners and operators of gas pipeline facilities and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities that the incident/accident report forms for their pipeline systems were recently revised and should be used for all incidents/accidents occurring on or after January 1, 2010. The forms for Gas Distribution Systems, Gas Transmission and Gathering Systems, and Hazardous Liquid Systems include:
- PHMSA Form F 7100.1, Incident Report-Gas Distribution Pipelines
- PHMSA Form F 7100.2, Incident Report-Gas Transmission and Gathering Systems
- PHMSA Form F 7000-1-Accident Report for Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Systems
PHMSA requires that an operator of a covered pipeline facility
file a written report within 30 days of certain adverse events, defined by
regulation as either an incident (49 CFR 191.1-191.27 for gas pipelines) or
accident (49 CFR 195.48-195.63 for liquid pipelines).
Until PHMSA completes development of a new electronic online data entry system
for the new forms (approximately March 1, 2010) operators should file hard copy
forms for incidents/accidents occurring on or after January 1, 2010. Copies of
the new forms and instructions are available on the PHMSA website at: http://phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline/library/forms or http://opsweb.phmsa.dot.gov/.
Hard copy forms should be submitted to the attention of the Information
Resources Manager at the address listed in the instructions. As an alternative,
completed forms that include signatures may be submitted to the Information
Resources Manager by e-mail to Jamerson.Pender@dot.gov. Any questions
regarding this new requirement can be directed to the Office of Pipeline Safety
operator helpline at 202-366-8075.
RCP’s Web-Based Compliance Management Systems
CP’s Compliance Management System (CMS) is an invaluable tool for managing all aspects of regulatory workflow. Some examples of how our clients are using the CMS include:
- O&M Scheduling and Data Acquisition;
- Cathodic Protection Inspection and Data Management;
- One-Call Screening and Ticket Management;
- Repair / Replacement Programs;
- Operator Qualification Administration and Workflow Integration;
- Leak Life Cycle Management;
- Environmental, Health and Safety Compliance;
- Audit Action Item Tracking; and
- Customer Data Management.
DIMP Integration
For gas distribution operators looking for a powerful tool to implement DIMP, the RCP CMS integrates O&M data captured from field personnel along with inherent system attributes to provide real-time risk analysis, performance reporting, as well as track additional and accelerated actions taken to mitigate risks.
Key Features
- GIS integrated workflow management
- Custom tailored e-mail notifications and reporting
- Runs on any web-enabled device, no software to download
- Powerful reporting and custom query functionality
- Multiple security and user privilege settings
- Document storage and control (ex. procedures, maps, images, and completion documentation)
- Automatic recurrence setting for routine tasks (example: leak surveys, CP surveys, etc.)
- Create work orders for unscheduled / unplanned activities (ex. release reporting)
To request a demonstration or to request more information, please contact Jessica Roger.
Advisory Bulletin ADB-09-04 – Reporting Drug and Alcohol Test Results for Contractors & Multiple Operator Identification Numbers
[Docket No. PHMSA-2009-0408]
The
Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA) issued Advisory Bulletin ADB-09-04. Beginning with MIS reports due by
March 15, 2010, OPS will begin collecting annual drug and alcohol testing data
for contractor employees. In January 2010, OPS will notify each operator who is
required to submit a report before March 15, 2010 by mail. The notification
will include detailed instructions for including all OpID and each contractor
BTIN in both online and paper MIS reports.OPS will post the same detailed
instructions on the Drug & Alcohol Program Web site.
Under Part 199, operators who had 50 or more operator and contractor employees
performing §199.3 “covered functions” during calendar year 2009, must
submit a MIS report. OPS may also request in writing, MIS reports from
operators with fewer than 50 operator and contractor employees performing
covered functions. The total number of covered employees is not limited to
employees who physically worked in a maintenance, operations, or emergency
response role during the previous calendar year. The definition of “performs
a covered function” in Part 199.3 includes actually performing, ready to
perform, or immediately available to perform a covered function.
Operators need to be cognizant of this definition when calculating the number
of covered employees for both the operator and contractors. Employees who
“perform a covered function” as defined in §199.3, are required to be
included in the random drug testing pool. While the total number of covered
employees determines if an operator must submit a MIS report, operator and
contractor employee testing data must be submitted in separate MIS reports. To
ensure that contractor employees are only counted once in the entire set of
calendar year 2009 MIS reports, data for each contractor with a unique BTIN
will be submitted in a separate MIS report.
Operators are encouraged to submit MIS reports online. If an operator submits a
paper MIS report, the operator will not receive a confirmation receipt for the
MIS report. If an operator submits an online MIS report and includes an e-mail
address, a confirmation receipt will be sent.
For further information contact: Stanley T. Kastanas, Program Manager,
Substance Abuse Prevention Program at 202-550-0629 or by e-mail at Stanley.Kastanas@dot.gov.
Control Room Management/Human Factors Rule Correction
[Docket No. PHMSA-2007-27954; Amdt. Nos. 192-112 and 195-93]
The Department of Transportation/Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is correcting the human factors / control room management final rule that appeared in the Federal Register (74 FR 63310) on December 3, 2009. (See related article in the DOT Pipeline Compliance News, December 2009 Special Edition.) That final rule contained errors regarding certain dates, both in the preamble and the amendments. The corrections are given below.
- On page 63311 of the preamble to the December 3 rule, in the first column in the DATES section, the compliance date is corrected to read “Compliance Date: An operator must develop control room management procedures by August 1, 2011, and implement the procedures by February 1, 2013.”
- In §192.631 paragraph (a)(2), in the second sentence, remove the phrase “implement the procedures no later than February 1, 2012” and add the phrase “implement the procedures no later than February 1, 2013” in its place.
- In §195.446 paragraph (a), in the last sentence, remove the phrase “implement the procedures no later than February 1, 2012”, and add the phrase “implement the procedures no later than February 1, 2013” in its place.
Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs
[Docket OST-2010-0026]
The
Department of Transportation (DOT) is proposing to amend certain provisions of
its drug testing procedures dealing with laboratory testing of urine specimens.
Some of the proposed changes will also affect the roles and standards applying
to collectors and Medical Review Officers (MROs). The proposed changes are
intended to create consistency with new requirements established by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Mandatory Guidelines. On November
25, 2008, HHS issued a Notice of Revisions to the Mandatory Guidelines for
Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (Revisions to Mandatory Guidelines) [73
FR 71858, Nov 28, 2008]. The HHS revised some of their requirements for
collecting and testing urine specimens, initiated requirements for the
certification of Instrumented Initial Test Facilities (IITFs), and expanded
upon the roles of and standards for collectors and MROs. The DOT is proposing
various changes to 49 CFR Part 40 in an effort to create consistency with this
latest set of requirements established by HHS. This NPRM seeks to harmonize DOT
requirements for laboratories, collectors, MROs, and employers with the new
requirements contained in the revised HHS Mandatory Guidelines.
Comments to the notice of proposed rulemaking should be submitted by April 5,
2010. Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the
online instructions for submitting comments. You must include the agency name
and docket number DOT-OST for the rulemaking at the beginning of your comments.
FINAL Amendments to the SPCC Rule
The delays are over and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator signed a notice amending certain requirements of the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule in order to address additional areas of regulatory reform that have been raised by the regulated community. The November 2009 amendments modify the December 2008 rule by removing certain provisions that were generally favorable to the industry. The final rule
- does NOT exclude farms and oil production facilities from the loading/unloading rack requirements;
- does NOT exempt produced water containers at an oil production facility; and
- does NOT provide alternative qualified facilities eligibility criteria for an oil production facility.
EPA is either taking no action or providing minor technical
corrections on the remainder of most of the December 2008 provisions. Because
of the uncertainty surrounding the final amendments to the December 5, 2008
rule and the delay of the effective date, EPA will propose to extend the
compliance date.
The Final Rule became effective January 14, 2010.
Please Note: On November 13, 2009, the Final Rule on SPCC Amendments was
published in the Federal Register. RCP has the complete amended final rule
available. Please contact us if you would like a copy.
SPCC UPDATE
Are you ready? Does your SPCC Plan include the latest amendments as published on November 13, 2009? If not, RCP can develop or modify your SPCC Plan. Contact us today for more information.
Leak Detection Conference February 23, 2010
Join us at the Siemens Pipeline Leak Detection & Instrumentation Technology Conference at the Houston Sheraton Brookhollow on February 23, where our president, Bill Byrd, will be making a presentation on leak detection requirements. The conference will address pipeline surveillance issues relevant to terminal and pipeline operators, and will offer informative presentations, interactive question-and-answer sessions, and product presentations. Additional information can be found at the Siemens website.
W. R. (Bill) Byrd, PE
President
RCP Inc.