82 FR 17152 - Pipeline Safety: Guidance on Training and Qualifications for the Integrity Management Program

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 67 (April 10, 2017)

Page Range		17152-17153
FR Document		2017-06805

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published the gas transmission pipeline integrity management (IM) rule in the Federal Register on December 15, 2003. This rule, in part, established requirements for supervisory and other personnel with IM program functions. PHMSA has recognized inconsistencies in how the requirements have been implemented by operators and is issuing this Advisory Bulletin to remind operators of their responsibility to include qualification requirements for IM personnel, as required by PHMSA regulations and discussed in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) ASME B31.8S-2004.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 67 (Monday, April 10, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 67 (Monday, April 10, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17152-17153]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06805]



[[Page 17152]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 192

[Docket No. PHMSA-2016-0067]


Pipeline Safety: Guidance on Training and Qualifications for the 
Integrity Management Program

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
DOT.

ACTION: Issuance of advisory bulletin.

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SUMMARY: The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 
(PHMSA) published the gas transmission pipeline integrity management 
(IM) rule in the Federal Register on December 15, 2003. This rule, in 
part, established requirements for supervisory and other personnel with 
IM program functions. PHMSA has recognized inconsistencies in how the 
requirements have been implemented by operators and is issuing this 
Advisory Bulletin to remind operators of their responsibility to 
include qualification requirements for IM personnel, as required by 
PHMSA regulations and discussed in the American Society of Mechanical 
Engineers (ASME) ASME B31.8S-2004.

DATES: April 10, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy White by phone at 202-366-1419 
or email [email protected]. All materials in this docket are 
electronically accessible at http://www.regulations.gov. Information 
about PHMSA is available at http://www.phmsa.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    PHMSA has long recognized and communicated the critical importance 
of training and qualifications for operator personnel who perform tasks 
related to pipeline safety. For example, in 1999 PHMSA adopted general 
qualification requirements for all individuals performing covered tasks 
under Sec.  192.805. PHMSA established specific qualification 
requirements for supervisory and other personnel with IM-assigned tasks 
under Sec.  192.915 as part of the gas transmission pipeline IM rule 
(December 15, 2003, 68 FR 69777). Specifically, PHMSA requires IM 
programs to assure certain persons have appropriate training or 
experience to be considered qualified for their areas of 
responsibility. These requirements apply to operator and contractor 
personnel (contractors, suppliers, vendors, etc.) who perform certain 
IM-related tasks.
    For supervisory personnel, Sec.  192.915 requires that the IM 
program must ensure that:
     Each supervisor whose responsibilities relate to the IM 
program possess and maintain a thorough knowledge of the IM program and 
the elements for which the supervisor is responsible; and
     Any person who qualifies as a supervisor for the IM 
program has appropriate training or experience in the area for which 
that person is responsible.
    For personnel performing IM-assigned tasks, the rule requires an 
operator's IM program to provide criteria for their training and 
qualifications. The elements of IM covered under Sec.  192.915 apply to 
individuals who:
     Conduct assessments;
     Review and analyze results from integrity assessments; or
     Make decisions on actions to be taken based on these 
assessments.
    The program must also include criteria for the qualification of 
individuals who:
     Implement preventive measures and mitigative measures to 
carry out the requirements of the rule, including the marking and 
locating of buried structures; or
     Directly supervise excavation work carried out in 
conjunction with an integrity assessment.

II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB-2017-02)

    To: Owners and Operators of Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines
    Subject: Guidance on Training and Qualifications for the Integrity 
Management Program
    Advisory: PHMSA is issuing this Advisory Bulletin to remind 
operators of natural gas transmission pipelines of PHMSA's expectations 
regarding how mature IM programs should implement the training and 
qualification requirements included in Sec.  192.915 and discussed in 
ASME B31.8S-2004. PHMSA's expectations for operator implementation of 
each subsection in Sec.  192.915 are outlined as follows:

Section 192.915--``What knowledge and training must personnel have to 
carry out an integrity management program?''

     This rule requires operator personnel involved in the IM 
program to be qualified for their assigned responsibilities, including 
the following:
    [cir] Personnel qualification requirements must be identified for 
anyone involved in the IM program. This applies to both operator and 
contractor personnel (contractors, suppliers, vendors, etc.);
    [cir] Qualification criteria must include minimum requirements for 
experience or training in order to verify individuals have the 
knowledge and skills necessary to perform IM-related tasks; and
    [cir] The operator must determine whether qualifications are 
current.
     The rule requires operators to verify that the personnel 
who execute activities within the IM program are qualified in 
accordance with the quality assurance process required by Sec.  
192.911(l).
     Documentation of qualification must be maintained in 
accordance with the operator's IM program.

Section 192.915(a)--``Supervisory Personnel''

    The regulation covers qualification and training requirements for 
supervisory personnel with responsibilities in an IM program.
     This rule requires operators to verify that the IM program 
requires supervisory personnel to have the appropriate training or 
experience for their assigned responsibilities, including the 
following:
    [cir] Personnel with supervisory authority that relates to the 
operator's IM process must meet documented qualification requirements 
for the aspects of the IM program that fall under their authority;
    [cir] Qualification requirements must include minimum requirements 
for experience or training to verify individuals have the knowledge to 
perform IM-related tasks; and
    [cir] Tracking of qualification deficiencies and requalification 
requirements is essential to verify that individuals in supervisory 
positions are qualified.

Section 192.915(b)--``Persons who Carry out Assessments and Evaluate 
Assessment Results''

    The regulation covers qualification requirements for personnel 
performing certain IM tasks related to the conduct of integrity 
assessments, analysis of integrity assessment results, and the 
decisions on actions to be taken based on integrity assessments.
     This rule requires operators to verify the IM program 
requires qualification of personnel who carry out assessments and 
evaluate assessment results, including the following:
    [cir] Personnel who carry out or evaluate assessment information 
must meet documented qualification requirements--this applies to both 
operator and contractor personnel.

[[Page 17153]]

    [cir] Qualification requirements must include minimum requirements 
for experience or training to verify that individuals have the 
knowledge and skills necessary to perform IM-related tasks, including 
analysis, data integration, integrity assessments, and assessment 
results evaluation.
    [cir] Qualification requirements must be established for all tasks 
necessary to carry out integrity assessments and evaluate assessment 
results, including:
    [ssquf] Performing the integrity assessment;
    [ssquf] Evaluating the results of the integrity assessment;
    [ssquf] Integrating any other available information or data 
gathered in accordance with Sec.  192.917(b) that is applicable to the 
covered segment being assessed; and
    [ssquf] Deciding on actions to be taken based on these assessments.
    [cir] The operator is responsible for verifying the qualifications 
of contractor personnel who conduct essential tasks in performing or 
evaluating assessments.

Section 192.915(c)--``Persons Responsible for Preventive and Mitigative 
Measures''

    The regulation covers qualification requirements for personnel who 
implement preventive and mitigative measures and who supervise 
excavation work carried out in conjunction with an integrity 
assessment.
     This rule mandates that operators verify their IM program 
requires qualification of personnel who participate in implementing 
preventive measures and mitigative measures, including: (1) Personnel 
who mark and locate buried structures, (2) personnel who directly 
supervise integrity assessment excavation work, and (3) other personnel 
who participate in implementing preventive measures and mitigative 
measures.
    [cir] Personnel who implement preventive measures and mitigative 
measures may hold a range of job positions, including (but not limited 
to): Management and technical personnel, risk evaluators, operators, 
excavation crews, welders, and pipeline safety engineers. With respect 
to these personnel, the rule requires that operators:
    [ssquf] Define the roles and responsibilities of personnel 
implementing preventive measures and mitigative measures;
    [ssquf] Define the qualification requirements as they relate to 
implementing preventive measures and mitigative measures; and
    [ssquf] Verify personnel satisfy the defined qualification 
requirements.
     The rule requires that qualification requirements be 
established for all tasks required to implement preventive measures and 
mitigative measures, including:
    [cir] Marking and locating buried structures;
    [cir] Supervising integrity assessment excavation work; and
    [cir] Applying risk assessment results to determine what additional 
preventive measures and mitigative measures need to be implemented for 
the covered segment being assessed in accordance with Sec.  192.917(c).
    PHMSA inspectors will use this Advisory Bulletin to clarify the 
intent of existing regulatory language when evaluating operator IM 
program personnel training and qualification effectiveness.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 29, 2017, under authority 
delegated in 49 CFR 1.97.
Alan K. Mayberry,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 2017-06805 Filed 4-7-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P

17152 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 67 / Monday, April 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION personnel (contractors, suppliers, This applies to both operator and
vendors, etc.) who perform certain IM- contractor personnel (contractors,
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials related tasks. suppliers, vendors, etc.);
Safety Administration For supervisory personnel, § 192.915 Æ Qualification criteria must include
requires that the IM program must minimum requirements for experience
49 CFR Part 192 ensure that: or training in order to verify individuals
[Docket No. PHMSA–2016–0067]
• Each supervisor whose have the knowledge and skills necessary
responsibilities relate to the IM program to perform IM-related tasks; and
Pipeline Safety: Guidance on Training possess and maintain a thorough Æ The operator must determine
and Qualifications for the Integrity knowledge of the IM program and the whether qualifications are current.
Management Program elements for which the supervisor is • The rule requires operators to verify
responsible; and that the personnel who execute
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous • Any person who qualifies as a activities within the IM program are
Materials Safety Administration supervisor for the IM program has qualified in accordance with the quality
(PHMSA), DOT. appropriate training or experience in the assurance process required by
ACTION: Issuance of advisory bulletin. area for which that person is § 192.911(l).
responsible. • Documentation of qualification
SUMMARY: The Pipeline and Hazardous For personnel performing IM-assigned must be maintained in accordance with
Materials Safety Administration tasks, the rule requires an operator’s IM the operator’s IM program.
(PHMSA) published the gas program to provide criteria for their
transmission pipeline integrity Section 192.915(a)—‘‘Supervisory
training and qualifications. The
management (IM) rule in the Federal Personnel’’
elements of IM covered under § 192.915
Register on December 15, 2003. This apply to individuals who: The regulation covers qualification
rule, in part, established requirements • Conduct assessments; and training requirements for
for supervisory and other personnel • Review and analyze results from supervisory personnel with
with IM program functions. PHMSA has integrity assessments; or responsibilities in an IM program.
recognized inconsistencies in how the • Make decisions on actions to be • This rule requires operators to
requirements have been implemented taken based on these assessments. verify that the IM program requires
by operators and is issuing this The program must also include supervisory personnel to have the
Advisory Bulletin to remind operators criteria for the qualification of appropriate training or experience for
of their responsibility to include individuals who: their assigned responsibilities,
qualification requirements for IM • Implement preventive measures including the following:
personnel, as required by PHMSA and mitigative measures to carry out the Æ Personnel with supervisory
regulations and discussed in the requirements of the rule, including the authority that relates to the operator’s
American Society of Mechanical marking and locating of buried IM process must meet documented
Engineers (ASME) ASME B31.8S–2004. structures; or qualification requirements for the
DATES: April 10, 2017. • Directly supervise excavation work aspects of the IM program that fall
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: carried out in conjunction with an under their authority;
Nancy White by phone at 202–366–1419 integrity assessment. Æ Qualification requirements must
or email nancy.white@dot.gov. All include minimum requirements for
II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB–2017–02) experience or training to verify
materials in this docket are
To: Owners and Operators of Natural individuals have the knowledge to
electronically accessible at http://
Gas Transmission Pipelines perform IM-related tasks; and
www.regulations.gov. Information about
Subject: Guidance on Training and Æ Tracking of qualification
PHMSA is available at http://
Qualifications for the Integrity deficiencies and requalification
www.phmsa.dot.gov.
Management Program requirements is essential to verify that
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Advisory: PHMSA is issuing this individuals in supervisory positions are
I. Background Advisory Bulletin to remind operators qualified.
of natural gas transmission pipelines of
PHMSA has long recognized and PHMSA’s expectations regarding how Section 192.915(b)—‘‘Persons who Carry
communicated the critical importance mature IM programs should implement out Assessments and Evaluate
of training and qualifications for the training and qualification Assessment Results’’
operator personnel who perform tasks requirements included in § 192.915 and The regulation covers qualification
related to pipeline safety. For example, discussed in ASME B31.8S–2004. requirements for personnel performing
in 1999 PHMSA adopted general PHMSA’s expectations for operator certain IM tasks related to the conduct
qualification requirements for all implementation of each subsection in of integrity assessments, analysis of
individuals performing covered tasks § 192.915 are outlined as follows: integrity assessment results, and the
under § 192.805. PHMSA established decisions on actions to be taken based
specific qualification requirements for Section 192.915—‘‘What knowledge and on integrity assessments.
supervisory and other personnel with training must personnel have to carry • This rule requires operators to
IM-assigned tasks under § 192.915 as out an integrity management program?’’ verify the IM program requires
part of the gas transmission pipeline IM • This rule requires operator qualification of personnel who carry out
pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES

rule (December 15, 2003, 68 FR 69777). personnel involved in the IM program to assessments and evaluate assessment
Specifically, PHMSA requires IM be qualified for their assigned results, including the following:
programs to assure certain persons have responsibilities, including the Æ Personnel who carry out or evaluate
appropriate training or experience to be following: assessment information must meet
considered qualified for their areas of Æ Personnel qualification documented qualification
responsibility. These requirements requirements must be identified for requirements—this applies to both
apply to operator and contractor anyone involved in the IM program. operator and contractor personnel.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:16 Apr 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\10APR1.SGM 10APR1

$Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 67 / Monday, April 10, 2017 / Rules and Regulations 17153 Æ Qualification requirements must implement preventive and mitigative D Verify personnel satisfy the defined include minimum requirements for measures and who supervise excavation qualification requirements. experience or training to verify that work carried out in conjunction with an • The rule requires that qualification individuals have the knowledge and integrity assessment. requirements be established for all tasks skills necessary to perform IM-related • This rule mandates that operators required to implement preventive tasks, including analysis, data verify their IM program requires measures and mitigative measures, integration, integrity assessments, and qualification of personnel who including: assessment results evaluation. participate in implementing preventive Æ Qualification requirements must be measures and mitigative measures, Æ Marking and locating buried established for all tasks necessary to including: (1) Personnel who mark and structures; carry out integrity assessments and locate buried structures, (2) personnel Æ Supervising integrity assessment evaluate assessment results, including: who directly supervise integrity excavation work; and D Performing the integrity assessment; assessment excavation work, and (3) Æ Applying risk assessment results to D Evaluating the results of the other personnel who participate in determine what additional preventive integrity assessment; implementing preventive measures and measures and mitigative measures need D Integrating any other available mitigative measures. Æ Personnel who implement to be implemented for the covered information or data gathered in preventive measures and mitigative segment being assessed in accordance accordance with § 192.917(b) that is measures may hold a range of job with § 192.917(c). applicable to the covered segment being assessed; and positions, including (but not limited to): PHMSA inspectors will use this D Deciding on actions to be taken Management and technical personnel, Advisory Bulletin to clarify the intent of based on these assessments. risk evaluators, operators, excavation existing regulatory language when Æ The operator is responsible for crews, welders, and pipeline safety evaluating operator IM program verifying the qualifications of contractor engineers. With respect to these personnel training and qualification personnel who conduct essential tasks personnel, the rule requires that effectiveness. in performing or evaluating operators: Issued in Washington, DC, on March 29, assessments. D Define the roles and responsibilities 2017, under authority delegated in 49 CFR of personnel implementing preventive 1.97. Section 192.915(c)—‘‘Persons measures and mitigative measures; Responsible for Preventive and Alan K. Mayberry, D Define the qualification Mitigative Measures’’ requirements as they relate to Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. The regulation covers qualification implementing preventive measures and [FR Doc. 2017–06805 Filed 4–7–17; 8:45 am] requirements for personnel who mitigative measures; and BILLING CODE 4910–60–P pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:16 Apr 07, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\10APR1.SGM 10APR1$

Document Created: 2017-04-08 03:30:44
Document Modified: 2017-04-08 03:30:44

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Rules and Regulations
Action		Issuance of advisory bulletin.
Dates		April 10, 2017.
Contact		Nancy White by phone at 202-366-1419 or email [email protected] All materials in this docket are electronically accessible at http://www.regulations.gov. Information about PHMSA is available at http://www.phmsa.dot.gov.
FR Citation		82 FR 17152

82 FR 17152 - Pipeline Safety: Guidance on Training and Qualifications for the Integrity Management Program

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 67 (April 10, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration