255.13 General.

(a)The rules and regulations of this Part are considered adequate for safety under conditions normally encountered in the gas industry. However, these rules and regulations cannot specifically provide for all abnormal or unusual conditions; nor can they specifically detail all methods for achieving compliance. Approved alternate methods may be used provided that all work performed within the scope of this Part shall meet or exceed the safety standards expressed or implied herein.#

(b)In complying with this Part, operators shall use methods that are reasonable and proper for the anticipated operating conditions and that can reasonably be expected to provide a level of safety equivalent to or greater than that which would result from following the generally accepted standards of the gas industry. The Gas Piping Technology Committee Guide (GPTC) for Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping System is, except where in conflict with provisions of this Part, representative of this level of practice.#

If a special permit or deviation from the specific application of any rules prescribed in this Part is warranted because of special facts, application may be made to the Public Service Commission for a special permit for deviation from the rules and regulations as written in this Part. Each request shall include a full and comprehensive justification for such requested special permit, together with a proposed alternate rule to be considered for application to the conditions requiring the special permit.#

(d)This Part is concerned with the safety of the general public and employee safety to the extent that it is affected by basic design, quality of the materials and workmanship, requirements for testing, and maintenance of gas transmission and distribution facilities. Existing industrial safety regulations pertaining to work area, safety devices, and safe work practices are not intended to be supplanted by this Part.#

(e)Each operator of an onshore gas transmission pipeline must evaluate and mitigate, as necessary, significant changes that pose a risk to safety or the environment through a management of change process. Each operator of an onshore gas transmission pipeline must develop and follow a management of change process, as outlined in ASME/ANSI B31.8S, section 11, as described in section 10.3 of this Title, that addresses technical, design, physical, environmental, procedural, operational, maintenance, and organizational changes to the pipeline or processes, whether permanent or temporary. A management of change process must include the following: reason for change, authority for approving changes, analysis of implications, acquisition of required work permits, documentation, communication of change to affected parties, time limitations, and qualification of staff. For pipeline segments other than those covered in sections 255.901 through 255.951 of this Part, this management of change process must be implemented by February 26, 2024. The requirements of this subdivision do not apply to gas gathering pipelines.#