{"operation":"document","citation":"PHMSA Guidance, Operator Qualification (OQ) FAQs","title":"Operator Qualification (OQ) FAQs","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2022-01-28","effective_on":"2022-01-28","summary":"Operator Qualification (OQ) FAQs Document PHMSA Operator Qualification FAQ Guidance.pdf (190.35 KB) This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) guidance document provides additional information on operator qualification regulations. PHMSA provides FAQs to help the public understand how to comply with the existing requirements under the Regulations, but FAQs are not substantive rules, are not meant to bind the public in an","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-operator-qualification-oq-faqs-6eaa2d44.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-operator-qualification-oq-faqs-6eaa2d44.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-operator-qualification-oq-faqs-6eaa2d44","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulatory-compliance/phmsa-guidance/operator-qualification-oq-faqs","body":"Operator Qualification (OQ) FAQs\n\nDocument\n\n PHMSA Operator Qualification FAQ Guidance.pdf (190.35 KB)\n\n        This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) guidance document provides additional information on operator qualification regulations.  PHMSA provides FAQs to help the public understand how to comply with the existing requirements under the Regulations, but FAQs are not substantive rules, are not meant to bind the public in any way, and do not assign duties, create legally enforceable rights, or impose new obligations that are not otherwise contained in the existing regulations and standards. PHMSA issued a final rule governing OQ programs that can be found at 64 FN 46853 (Aug. 27, 1999). \n\n          Issued Date: Friday, January 28, 2022\n\n<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nOperator Qualification Frequently Asked Questions\nRevised January 28, 2022\nThis Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) guidance document provides additional information on\noperator qualification regulations. PHMSA provides FAQs to help the public understand how to\ncomply with the existing requirements under the Regulations, but FAQs are not substantive\nrules, are not meant to bind the public in any way, and do not assign duties, create legally\nenforceable rights, or impose new obligations that are not otherwise contained in the existing\nregulations and standards.1\nUse of Off-the-shelf OQ Programs\n1 – What responsibility does an operator have if it chooses to use an off-the-shelf OQ program?\n(§§ 192.805, 195.505)\nAn operator choosing to use an off-the-shelf operator qualification (OQ) program—an OQ\nprogram that is not created by the operator—is fully responsible for understanding and meeting\nthe provisions of the OQ requirements under parts 192 and 195. The operator must ensure that\nany OQ program selected is applicable to its operating characteristics, procedures, and\nequipment. The operator is responsible for any necessary modifications to the selected program\nto ensure applicability to the operator’s system and compliance with the regulations.\nContractor Qualification\n2 – Are contractors required to have a written OQ program? (§§ 192.805, 195.505)\nNo. The operator must ensure that any individuals who perform covered tasks on the operator’s\npipeline system—whether contractors or operator personnel—meet the requirements of the\noperator’s OQ program. 64 FR at 46859. If contractors have their own written OQ program,\noperators must verify that it meets the requirements of the operator’s OQ program. See 64 FR at\n46862.\n3 – How might an operator ensure that individuals employed by contractors are qualified to\nperform covered tasks? (§§ 192.805, 192.807, 195.505, 195.507)\n1 PHMSA issued a final rule governing OQ programs that can be found at 64 FN 46853 (Aug. 27, 1999).\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\n2\nThe operator must ensure that any individuals performing covered tasks, including contractors\nand other parties, such as other operator personnel providing routine operation and maintenance\n(O&M) tasks or mutual aid, comply with the requirements of the operator’s OQ program. See 49\nCFR 192.805(b) and 195.505(b). The operator must verify and document that the contractor’s or\nother operator personnel’s qualifications satisfy the operator’s written OQ program. The\noperator must maintain qualification records for all individuals performing covered tasks,\nincluding contractors, in accordance with §§ 195.507 and 192.807.\n4 – Are contractors required to use the operator’s procedures when performing covered tasks?\n(§§ 192.605, 192.805, 195.402, 195.505)\nOperators must ensure that contractors follow the operator’s written procedures, just as operator\npersonnel must, pursuant to §§ 192.605 and 195.402. An operator may prepare new procedures\nor adopt procedures developed by a contractor for a particular task if such procedures are\nreviewed and approved by the operator in advance of performance of the task. The operator is\nresponsible for ensuring that these procedures are acceptable and meet any applicable regulatory\nrequirements. Records of contractor procedures and the operator’s approval of those procedures\nare required to be maintained. The operator is also responsible for ensuring that the contractors\nare qualified to perform the covered tasks using these procedures, and that the contractor’s\nprocedures meet applicable regulatory requirements.\n5 – Who is responsible for qualifying contractor individuals who perform covered tasks on the\noperator’s pipeline facilities? (§§ 192.805, 192.807, 195.505, 195.507)\nOperators are responsible for ensuring that any individuals performing a covered task on their\npipeline facilities are qualified, regardless of whether these individuals are operator employees,\ncontractor employees, or other personnel. Operators must verify and document that any program\nused for qualification is suitable for the operator’s pipeline operating characteristics, equipment,\nand procedures.\nManagement of Other Entities Performing Covered Tasks\n6 – What requirements exist related to the qualification of individuals participating in mutual\nassistance agreements? (§§ 192.805, 195.505)\nOperators sometimes form mutual assistance agreements with other operators to help ensure that\nthey have the resources necessary to complete covered tasks, particularly in times of emergency.\nAny operator who receives assistance must ensure that all individuals who perform covered tasks\non the operator’s pipeline are qualified in accordance with the operator’s OQ program\nrequirements, including documentation and recordkeeping.\nTraining Requirements\n7 – How should training be incorporated in an operator’s program? (§§ 192.805(h), 192.807,\n195.505(h), 195.507)\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\n3\nAppropriate training is required to ensure that individuals performing covered tasks have the\nknowledge and skills needed to perform the tasks. Such training should be incorporated in\npractices leading to the development and qualification of new employees, as well as practices\nthat refresh the knowledge and skills of individuals with considerable experience. The operator\nshall determine the appropriate training methods for these circumstances. 64 FR at 46861. In\nparticular, any significant change in the procedures for performing the covered tasks should be\nthe subject of training for all individuals performing those covered tasks. Training may also be\nrequired for equipment variations or differences. In addition, individuals who fail initial\nqualification or qualified individuals who fail requalification should be provided with\nappropriate remedial training in their areas of deficiency prior to reevaluation. It is an operator’s\nresponsibility to provide training to ensure individuals have the skills and knowledge necessary\nto perform covered tasks on the operator’s unique pipeline system. Operators must retain these\nappropriate training records to support individuals’ qualifications and requalifications.\n8 – What is the role of computer-based or web-based training in complying with the OQ Rule?\n(§§ 192.805(h), 192.807(a)(4), 195.505(h), 195.507(a)(4))\nOperators may choose the type and method of training; computer-based and web-based training\nrepresent two permissible choices available to operators. Training must address an operator’s\npipeline system characteristics, equipment, and procedures. See 64 FR at 46863. Training\nprograms and methods may be reviewed by regulators during inspections.\nDevelopment of a Covered Task List Process\n9 – What operations and maintenance activities must be included in a compliant OQ program?\n(§§ 192.801, 195.501)\nAny activity meeting the four-part test, as defined in 49 CFR 192.801 or 195.501, is considered a\ncovered task. Reliance on an off-the-shelf OQ program does not excuse the operator from its\nregulatory obligation to identify a covered task. 63 FR 46859. If an operator determines an\nactivity is a covered task, the operator must qualify individuals on the covered task, even if the\noff-the-shelf OQ program does not include operator qualification and training for that particular\ntask.\nThe pipeline safety regulations require operators to identify covered tasks for all operations and\nmaintenance (O&M) activities that are performed as a requirement of parts 192 and 195, without\nregard to whether such activities are specifically defined in the operator’s O&M manual or arise\nfrom performance-based or prescriptive requirements. For performance-based regulations, such\nas § 195.422: Pipeline Repairs, tasks are “performed as a requirement of this part” if they are\nintegral to meeting the requirements of the regulations. If such tasks also meet the other parts of\nthe definition of covered tasks, they must be treated as covered tasks under the four-part test.\nFor example, PHMSA considered both pipefitting and removal of a casing to make repairs to be\ncovered tasks. See, e.g., CPF Nos. 3-2009-5022 (issued August 14, 2012) and 1-2017-5015\n(issued August 15, 2019, and June 26, 2020) on the PHMSA Enforcement Transparency website\nfor further information.\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\n4\nSimilarly, while an industry standard, such as ASME B31Q: Pipeline Personnel Qualification or\nAPI RP 1161: Pipeline Operator Qualification, may provide a useful starting point for identifying\nindustry-accepted covered tasks, the absence of a task within an industry standard does not mean\nthat the task is not a covered task. Operators must evaluate each task they perform and\ndetermine whether it is a covered task using the four-part test.\n10 – How should an operator differentiate between O&M tasks and new construction tasks?\n(§§ 192.801, 195.501)\nNew construction is not covered under the OQ regulations for pipeline safety. The OQ\nregulations cover operation and maintenance activities. Maintenance activities encompass work\ndone to preserve the serviceability of existing pipelines. This includes in-kind replacement of an\nexisting segment of pipe where the capacity of the pipeline segments is maintained, and service\nis not expanded. If a replacement segment to an existing pipeline cannot fully and safely operate\nas designed without the completion of a certain task, then that task should be considered\nmaintenance. Repairs to a pipeline, including replacement of one or more pipe joints,\nnecessitated by threats such as corrosion or third-party damage, should be considered\nmaintenance. The tie-in of a new pipeline or segment to an existing pipeline is an O&M task;\nany task carried out on that new pipeline or segment thereafter is also an O&M task. Operator\naccounting practices that differentiate between capital projects and O&M expenditures are\nirrelevant to the determination of whether a task is covered. See the definition of new\nconstruction in the PHMSA Operator Qualification Glossary, which can be found here:\nhttps://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2020-06/OQ_Glossary.pdf.\n11 – Does the location where a task is performed affect whether it is a covered task?\n(§§ 192.801, 195.501)\nYes. For example, if an individual performs a bench test on a regulator at the manufacturer's\nshop, the activity is not a covered task because the test was not “performed on a pipeline\nfacility,” as specified in the regulatory definition of covered task. However, if an individual\nwere to perform the same bench test on a regulator at a compressor station, which is a pipeline\nfacility, the task would be a covered task and the individual would need to be qualified.\n12 – Do emergency responders need to be qualified under the operator’s program? (§§ 192.801,\n195.501)\nPHMSA recognizes that emergency responders may arrive on scene before operator personnel.\nSection 192.615 requires operators to establish and maintain relationships with fire, police, or\nother appropriate public personnel, and § 195.403 requires operators to conduct advance\nemergency response planning with emergency responders. Any emergency responder who could\nbe reasonably expected to perform manual valve closures or any other covered tasks must be\nqualified under the operator’s OQ program.\nEmergency responders who act on behalf of an operator during emergency situations, as an\nextension of the operator’s workforce, similar to a contractor acting at the request or direction of\nan operator, are required to be qualified under the operator’s OQ program. 64 FR at 46861.\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\n5\nFurthermore, any emergency responder who could be reasonably expected to perform manual\nvalve closures or any other covered tasks must be qualified under the operator’s OQ program.\nEmergency responders need not be qualified by the operator to act on their own accord\nconsistent with their job responsibilities to protect public safety. See 64 FR 46855-56.\n13 – Will the PHMSA Office of Pipeline Safety urge, strongly recommend, or encourage\ninspectors to use a master list of covered tasks to inspect operators? (§§ 192.801(b), 192.805(a),\n195.501(b), 195.505(a))\nNo, the PHMSA Office of Pipeline Safety does not develop or maintain a master list of covered\ntasks applicable to all pipeline operations.\nEvaluation Method(s) (Demonstration of Knowledge, Skill, and Ability) and Their\nRelationship to Covered Tasks\n14 – What are acceptable evaluation methods, and what is observation of an individual?\n(§§ 192.803, 195.503)\nAcceptable evaluation methods can be found in 49 CFR 192.803 and 195.503. The evaluation\nmethods selected must be appropriate for the covered task. Operators must be able to describe\nthe evaluation method(s) associated with each covered task in their written OQ programs used to\ndetermine whether an individual is qualified to perform that task. Evaluation methods for initial\nand subsequent evaluations must also be specified.\nObservation of on-the-job performance is an acceptable method of evaluation but may not be\nused as the sole method of evaluation under §§ 192.809(e) and 195.509(e). In order to determine\nan individual’s ability to perform a covered task, observation must include methods of assessing\nthe individual’s knowledge of the task, as well as the individual’s ability to perform it. The\nevaluation method must include adequate interaction between the observer and the observed to\ndetermine that an individual is qualified. For example, when observing performance of a\ncovered task the observer may request the individual to describe the abnormal operating\nconditions associated with the performance of the covered task.\n15 – What capabilities should be evaluated to qualify an individual to perform covered tasks?\n(§§ 192.805(b), 195.505(b))\nThe qualification process, whether for an initial qualification or a requalification, should address\nthe following factors: (1) the individual’s knowledge of the task (e.g., knowledge gained through\nself-study, classroom training, or computer-based training); (2) the individual’s skill in\nperformance of the task (e.g., craftsmanship in performing the steps of the task); (3) the\nindividual’s ability (e.g., proficiency/physical capability, to include vision, strength, or agility; or\nmental comprehension and understanding) to perform the covered task; and (4) the individual’s\nability to recognize and react to an abnormal operating condition. See 64 FR at 46861-62. The\ndefinition of “evaluation” in §§ 192.803 and 195.503 of the OQ regulations provides acceptable\nmethods of evaluating these capabilities.\n\n<<<PAGE 6>>>\n\n6\n16 – When evaluating individuals to ensure they are qualified, under what conditions will\nindividuals be considered to have passed their evaluations? (§§ 192.805(b), 195.505(b))\nThe evaluation of an individual’s qualifications should be an objective, consistent process that\ndocuments an individual’s ability to perform the covered task and recognize and react to an\nabnormal operating condition. The operator should establish the acceptance criteria for the\nevaluation method used. Individuals must demonstrate they have met the acceptance criteria.\nSee 64 FR at 46861.\n17 – If an individual seeking qualification to perform a covered task fails the evaluation process,\nhow many times can the individual be reevaluated? (§§ 192.803; 192.805(b), (h); 195.503;\n195.505(b), (h))\nThe operator should determine and specify in its OQ program the number of times an individual\ncan be reevaluated. Remedial training should be considered prior to subsequent reevaluation.\n18 – What is a reasonable time between failure to pass an evaluation and reevaluation?\n(§§ 192.805(b) and (h), 195.505(b) and (h))\nWhile the regulation does not specify the period of time that may elapse between evaluations, the\noperator should establish requirements for reevaluation after an individual’s failure to pass an\nevaluation. If fundamental knowledge, skill, or ability gaps are identified as reasons for the\nfailure, the operator should consider additional training prior to reevaluation. In addition, if the\nexamination process reveals a systematic series of failures over multiple evaluations, an operator\nshould evaluate its training and qualification programs and/or procedures, in the spirit of\ncontinuous improvement.\n19 – Should operators implement measures to ensure that the procedures on which qualification\nis based are consistent with the operator’s O&M procedures and the actual practices\nimplemented in the field? (§§ 192.805, 195.505)\nYes.\n20 – What credentials should a person have to be an evaluator? (§§ 192.805, 195.505)\nOperators’ OQ programs may establish criteria that an individual should satisfy to be an\nevaluator. Although regulations do not specifically define what credentials are required,\nevaluators should possess the knowledge required to ascertain an individual’s ability to perform\ncovered tasks and to substantiate an individual’s ability to recognize and react appropriately to\nabnormal operating conditions (AOC) that might occur while performing these activities. The\nevaluation process should be objective and consistent.\n21 – Is third-party evaluation a mandatory method? (§§ 192.805, 195.505)\nNo.\n\n<<<PAGE 7>>>\n\n7\nDevelopment and Documentation of Areas of Qualification for Individuals Performing\nCovered Tasks\n22 – Are qualified individuals required to carry cards to show the covered tasks for which they\nare qualified? (§§ 192.805, 195.505)\nNo. The operator is responsible for maintaining a record of the current qualification status for\nindividuals performing covered tasks.\n23 – Must plumbers and independent installers performing covered tasks on customer-owned\ncurb-to-meter service lines be qualified? (§ 192.805(b))\nIf the piping under consideration is subject to regulation by part 192, the plumber or anyone else\nperforming the covered task for the operator must be qualified under the operator’s OQ program.\nCovered Task Performed by an Unqualified Individual\n24 – Can new employees work under the guidance of other qualified crewmembers for a period\nof time? If so, how long? (§§ 192.805(c), 195.505(c))\nThe pipeline safety regulations allow for unqualified individuals to perform covered tasks only if\nthey are directed and observed by a qualified individual. While not required by regulation, the\noperator may establish limitations on the amount of time and the number of unqualified\nindividuals that may perform certain covered tasks under the direction and observation of a\nqualified individual.\n25 – Should an OQ program specify the maximum distance a qualified individual must be from\nan unqualified individual who is performing a covered task? (§§ 192.805(c), 195.505(c))\nOperators are not required to specify a maximum distance in their OQ program. However, the\nqualified individual should be close enough to direct and observe the unqualified individual so\nthat, among other actions, the qualified individual can recognize and react to abnormal operating\nconditions and take immediate corrective action.\n26 – What is the maximum number of unqualified individuals performing a covered task that a\nqualified individual can direct and observe? (§§ 192.805(c), 195.505(c))\nOperators should determine the appropriate number of unqualified individuals that can be\ndirected and observed by a qualified individual, which may vary depending on the covered task.\nThe operator should consider all relevant factors, including physical space limitations for\nmultiple individuals to properly and safely perform the covered task, as well as environmental\nconditions (e.g., noise, visual obstructions, weather, or other on-site conditions).\nWork Performance History Review\n\n<<<PAGE 8>>>\n\n8\n27 – What constitutes a work performance history review? (§§ 192.803; 192.809(c), (d);\n195.503; 195.509(c), (d))\nA review of work performance history should include a search of existing records for\ndocumentation of an individual’s past satisfactory performance of covered tasks and verification\nthat the individual’s work performance history contains no indications of substandard work or\ninvolvement in an incident (as defined in part 191) or accident (as defined in part 195) caused by\nan error in performing a covered task.\n28 – Under what conditions can a work performance history review be used for qualification of\nindividuals performing covered tasks? (§§ 192.809(d), 195.509(d))\nWork performance history may not be used as the sole method for evaluating individuals\nperforming covered tasks. Operators may use work performance history review in conjunction\nwith other permissible evaluation methods.\nAbnormal Operating Conditions (AOC)\n29 – Do qualified individuals need to recognize and react to abnormal operating conditions?\n(§§ 192.803, 195.503)\nTo be qualified to perform a covered task, individuals must not only demonstrate the knowledge,\nskill, and ability to perform the task, but must also be able to recognize and react to abnormal\noperating conditions (AOCs) that the operator determines the individuals may be reasonably\nexpected to encounter while performing a covered task. Individuals are not expected to recite a\ncomplete listing of AOCs for the covered tasks without referencing manuals or guides provided\nby the operator. See 64 FR at 46861-62.\nPersonnel Performance Monitoring (e.g., Determination of Role in Incident)\n30 – Should operators incorporate criteria in their OQ programs regarding the suspension or\ndisqualification of an individual who performs covered tasks? (§§ 192.805(d), (e);\n195.505(d), (e))\nThe pipeline safety regulations include requirements for operators to (1) evaluate an individual if\nthe operator has reason to believe that the individual’s performance of a covered task contributed\nto an incident (as defined in part 191) or accident (as defined in part 195), and (2) evaluate an\nindividual if the operator has reason to believe that the individual is no longer qualified to\nperform a covered task.\nThe operator’s written OQ program should describe a process to determine (1) whether an\nindividual is qualified to perform a covered task, (2) when it is necessary to make such a\ndetermination, and (3) how the operator will proceed if the process shows that the individual is\nno longer qualified to perform a covered task.\n\n<<<PAGE 9>>>\n\n9\n31 – How should an operator address a situation in which an individual who is qualified to\nperform a covered task is performing that covered task incorrectly? (§§ 192.805(e), 195.505(e))\nEach operator should develop written policies for dealing with performance deficiencies. An\nindividual who is found to be incorrectly performing a covered task for which the individual is\nqualified should be immediately removed from performing that covered task pending a\ndeficiency review, retraining/coaching, reevaluation, suspension, or disqualification in\naccordance with the operator’s policy.\n32 – What must an operator consider in its incident (or accident) investigation and analysis to\nsatisfy provisions of the OQ regulations? (§§ 192.805(d), 195.505(d))\nOperators must have a written process for investigating whether performance of a covered task\nmay have contributed to an incident or accident. The process must identify the individuals who\nperformed the covered task and must include a review of the individuals’ actions while\nperforming the covered task.\n33 – How should operators monitor individuals between reevaluation intervals to ensure that the\nindividuals continue to remain properly qualified? (§§ 192.805(e), 195.505(e))\nThe regulations require an operator to “evaluate an individual if the operator has reason to\nbelieve that the individual is no longer qualified to perform a covered task.” The operator must\nestablish and follow a process in its written OQ program to accomplish this.\nReevaluation Interval and Methodology for Determining Same\n34 – How should an operator determine the reevaluation interval for individuals performing\ncovered tasks? (§§ 192.805(g), 195.505(g))\nNecessary reevaluation intervals may be affected by task difficulty or complexity, task\nimportance or safety sensitivity, and the frequency with which a task is performed. Operators\nmay consider existing consensus standards and industry practice, their operating history, and the\noperational characteristics of their pipeline facilities. For infrequently performed tasks, such as\nhot tapping, an operator may choose to evaluate and qualify individuals immediately before the\ntask is performed.\nProgram Performance and Improvement\n35 – How should an operator document compliance with OQ regulations? (§§ 192.807, 195.507)\nThe pipeline safety regulations require the operator to maintain records that demonstrate\ncompliance with subpart N of part 192, subpart G of part 195, and with its written OQ program.\nAll records and documents referenced in the operator’s OQ program and necessary to verify\ncompliance with provisions of the regulations must be available and retained for the period\nspecified in the program, consistent with regulatory requirements. Records of prior qualification\n\n<<<PAGE 10>>>\n\n10\nand those for individuals no longer performing covered tasks shall be retained for at least five\nyears. 49 CFR 192.807(b), 195.507(b).\n36 – Must records be maintained on the methods used to identify which tasks are covered tasks?\n(§§ 192.805(a), 192.807, 195.505(a), 195.507)\nThe operator is required to maintain records that demonstrate compliance with the pipeline safety\nregulations. In order to meet this requirement, the operator must include provisions in its OQ\nprogram to identify covered tasks. But operators are not required to demonstrate how each of its\ncovered tasks were identified.\n37 – Must records be maintained that show how the operator determined the intervals at which\nan individual performing a covered task will need to be reevaluated? (§§ 192.805(g),\n195.505(g))\nAlthough it is not required by the pipeline safety regulations, operators are encouraged to\nmaintain records that show how the operator determined the intervals at which an individual\nperforming a covered task will be reevaluated.\nManagement of Changes\n38 – What types of changes should be communicated to individuals performing covered tasks?\n(§§ 192.805(f), 195.505(f))\nNumerous changes may occur that impact how a covered task is performed. Changes that need\nto be communicated to individuals performing covered tasks may include:\na. Modifications to company policies or procedures;\nb. Changes to State or Federal regulations;\nc. Utilization of new equipment and/or technology; and\nd. New information from equipment or product manufacturers.\nThe operator should include provisions in its OQ program for communicating changes that affect\ncovered tasks to individuals performing those covered tasks. The OQ program should also\ndescribe conditions under which changes are sufficiently substantive to require individuals\nperforming covered tasks to be retrained and reevaluated prior to performing the task subject to\nthe change. See 64 FR at 46863.\nUnder §§ 192.805(i) and 195.505(i), the operator must notify the PHMSA Administrator or a\nState agency if the operator significantly modifies its OQ program after the Administrator or\nState agency verifies that the program complies with the pipeline safety regulations. As defined\nby the PHMSA Operator Qualification Glossary,\n“significant” includes (but is not limited to):\nincreasing evaluation intervals and span-of-control ratios, eliminating covered tasks, and\nchanging mergers and/or acquisitions, evaluation methods (e.g. written versus observation\nmethods), and the overall OQ plan. The PHMSA Operator Qualification Glossary may be found\nhere: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2020-06/OQ_Glossary.pdf.\n\n<<<PAGE 11>>>\n\n11\n39 – What will the role of the Federal or State inspector be in evaluating the validity of written\nexaminations and the associated answer keys? (§§ 192.805(b), 195.505(b))\nFederal and State inspectors may evaluate all evaluation methods, including written\nexaminations. Operators should ensure the security and confidentiality of exam questions and\nresponses.\nSupervisory Personnel\n40 – Does a supervisor or foreperson need to be qualified for all tasks carried out under his/her\nmanagement? (§§ 192.805(b), (c); 195.505(b), (c))\nThe pipeline safety regulations do not require a supervisor or foreperson to be qualified to perform\nthe covered tasks carried out under his/her supervision. However, he/she must be qualified if\nhe/she performs the tasks or if he/she is the individual assigned to direct and observe an unqualified\nperson who performs the task.","truncated":false,"body_characters":29385}