Understanding Pipeline Employee Operator Qualifications

Become aware and understand the Operator Qualification regulations that allow you to work in the pipeline industry.

What you'll learn

Understand the background and history of the Federal pipeline safety regulations that resulted in this regulatory requirement.

Review the key elements of the natural gas and the petroleum regulations found in Federal Regulations at Parts 192 & 195.

Understand and apply the 4-part test to determine pipeline activities that are covered tasks and thus subject to the regulations.

Identify those company employees and contract employees that are subject to the OQ (operator qualification) regulations.

Understand the key definitions that are a part of the Fereral Code of Regulations for Operator Qualifications.

Review sample written OQ written plans to verify compliance with the applicable regulations.

Compare various evaluation methods used to qualify pipeline employees that perform covered tasks.

Determine how to establish length of time for individual qualifications and set frequency for re-evaluations.

Review record keeping requirements for individual qualification records.

Requirements

A limited and/or basic knowledge or experience in the natural gas or petroleum pipeline industry would be beneficial but not necessary for this course. This course will provide basic regulatory requirements to help you understand what if required to establish the qualification of certain pipeline personnel. It will also provide insight into the intent of the relevant regulations.

Description

Recent major pipeline accidents in the United States have resulted in the Federal government through the Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to develop and implement pipeline personnel qualification regulation for most pipeline and contract employees. Both natural gas and petroleum pipeline companies have to have a program to prove the knowledge, skills, and abilities of their employee to work on their pipelines.Pipeline companies must evaluate the qualification, not only of their company personnel but also contract individuals that perform work on their pipelines which are subject to Federal and State pipeline safety regulations.Upon completion of this course you will be able to fully understand the intent of the applicable regulatory requirements and the effect not only on you but on the company you work for.  If you are in a management position you will be able to analyze and review your own company OQ program for compliance with those requirements. The goal is to insure you can comply with the regulations during an inspection by Federal and/or state pipeline inspectors.This course is divided into four major subject areas. The course material is presented via slide presentation with references and links to critical information web sites.Major Areas:1. Background and history of operator qualification regulations.2. How the regulations were developed and finalized.3. Review each of the operator qualification regulations.4. Key elements of the operator qualification rule.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Introduction

Lecture 2 Instructor Background

Lecture 3 Course Information

Lecture 4 Pipeline Accidents

Lecture 5 Pipeline Accidents Continued

Section 2: Operator Qualification - Background

Lecture 6 Introduction to Operator Qualification Background

Lecture 7 Development of Operator Qualification regulations

Lecture 8 Regulation Development Detail

Lecture 9 Graphics of OQ process

Lecture 10 Graphics of OQ process continued

Section 3: Operator Qualifications Regulations

Lecture 11 Introuction to Regulations

Lecture 12 Federal Regulations - Parts 192 & 195

Lecture 13 Part 192 & 195 - OQ Subparts

Lecture 14 Section 801 (a) - Scope

Lecture 15 Section 801 (b) - Scope

Lecture 16 Section 803 Definitions - Abnormal Operating Condition

Lecture 17 Section 803 Definitions - Evaluations

Lecture 18 Section 803 Definitions - Qualified

Lecture 19 Evaluation Methods

Lecture 20 Evaluation via Observation

Lecture 21 Part 192 & Part 195 Definitions

Lecture 22 Operation & Maintenance Tasks

Lecture 23 Pipeline Facility

Lecture 24 Pipeline Facility Examples

Lecture 25 Pipeline System vs. Pipeline Facility

Lecture 26 Integrity Effect - Long Term

Lecture 27 Integrity Effect - Short Term

Lecture 28 Required by Regulation - Corrosion Monitoring

Lecture 29 Required by Regulation - Pipeline Repair

Lecture 30 Required by Regulation - Abandon Pipeline

Lecture 31 Section 805 - Qualification Program

Lecture 32 Section 805 - (d) & (e)

Lecture 33 Section 805 - Continued

Lecture 34 Section 807 - Records

Lecture 35 Section 809 - General

Section 4: Operator Qualification - Key Elements

Lecture 36 Key Element Introduction

Lecture 37 Determine Covered Tasks

Lecture 38 API Reference

Lecture 39 Sample Covered Task - Description

Lecture 40 Sample Covered Task - AOC's

Lecture 41 Sample Covered Task - Reevaluation Frequency

Lecture 42 Sample Covered Task - Frequency Calculation

Lecture 43 Alignment of Key Elements

Lecture 44 Who is Subject to Operator Qualifications

Lecture 45 Excavation Covered Task

Lecture 46 Construction Types

Lecture 47 Span 0f Control

Lecture 48 Span of Control - Example

Lecture 49 Span of Control - Example 2

Lecture 50 Course Summary

Lecture 51 Course Conclusion

Pipeline system employees with a limited knowledge of the OQ regulations. Pipeline system foremen, managers and others with a responsibility for qualification of their employees. And pipeline employees that work for contact company that provide pipeline services to pipeline operating companies.