{"operation":"document","citation":"PHMSA Guidance, Small LP Gas Operator OQ Guide (August 2016)","title":"Small LP Gas Operator OQ Guide (August 2016)","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":null,"effective_on":null,"summary":"Small LP Gas Operator OQ Guide (August 2016) Document operator-qualification-guide-small-lp-gas-systems-august-2016.pdf (1.46 MB) These guidelines were prepared by a team of industry and Government pipeline safety and training experts to assist small LP operators and master meter operators to develop programs to ensure that individuals who operate and maintain these systems are qualified for the work they perform. LP","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-small-lp-gas-operator-oq-guide-august-2016-559f3572.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-small-lp-gas-operator-oq-guide-august-2016-559f3572.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-guidance-small-lp-gas-operator-oq-guide-august-2016-559f3572","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/training/pipeline/small-lp-gas-operator-oq-guide-august-2016","body":"Small LP Gas Operator OQ Guide (August 2016)\n\nDocument\n\n operator-qualification-guide-small-lp-gas-systems-august-2016.pdf (1.46 MB)\n\n        These guidelines were prepared by a team of industry and Government pipeline safety and training experts to assist small LP operators and master meter operators to develop programs to ensure that individuals who operate and maintain these systems are qualified for the work they perform. LP operators are required to prepare and follow an Operator Qualification (OQ) program by Federal regulations at 49 CFR 192 Subpart N as well as regulations adopted by some States.\n\n          Effective Date: Monday, August 1, 2016\n\n<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nOperator Qualification\nGuidance Manual\nfor\nOperators of LP Gas Systems\nAugust, 2016\nUS Department of Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\nOffice of Pipeline Safety\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nLP OQ GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS\nACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................. i\nCHAPTER I: GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING AN OPERATOR QUALIFICATION\nPROGRAM ................................................................................................................................... I-1\nPreparing a Written Operator Qualification Plan...................................................................... I-1\nIdentify Covered Tasks ......................................................................................................... I-2\nEvaluate Individuals Who Perform Covered Tasks .............................................................. I-4\nAllow Unqualified Individuals To Perform A Covered Task If Directed And Observed By\nAn Individual Who Is Qualified ........................................................................................... I-6\nPost Accident/Incident Evaluation ........................................................................................ I-7\nFor Cause Evaluation ............................................................................................................ I-7\nCommunication of Changes .................................................................................................. I-7\nEstablish Re-evaluation Intervals ......................................................................................... I-7\nTraining ................................................................................................................................. I-8\nRecord Keeping .................................................................................................................... I-9\nRecord Retention .................................................................................................................. I-9\nContractors ............................................................................................................................ I-9\nRecord Keeping for Contract Personnel ............................................................................. I-10\nEmergency Response .......................................................................................................... I-10\nResources ............................................................................................................................ I-11\nCHAPTER II: DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................... II-1\nAPPENDIX A: RESOURCES\nAPPENDIX B: SAMPLE OQ PLANS\nAPGA SIF OQ Plan\nAmeriGas OQ Plan\nRevised – August, 2016\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nACKNOWLEDGEMENTS\nThis guidance manual was revised by the American Public Gas Association (APGA) Security\nand Integrity Foundation (SIF) under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of\nTransportation. The manual relies on sources representing the best opinion on the subject at the\ntime of publication. It should not, however, be assumed that all acceptable safety measures and\nprocedures are mentioned in this manual. The reader is referred to the Code of Federal\nRegulations (49 CFR Parts 190-199 and Part 40) for the complete pipeline safety requirements.\nThe Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the many\nindividuals and organizations who contributed their time and expertise to this manual. Most\nespecially, it is a product of close cooperation with the National Association of Pipeline Safety\nRepresentatives (NAPSR), National Propane Gas Association, LP Operators, State and Federal\npipeline safety representatives.\nThe advisory group involved in the revision of this manual included:\nRichard G. Marini, PE, APGA SIF, Project Manager\nJohn Erickson, APGA Vice President\nBruce Benson, Connecticut Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection\nEd Boden, AmeriGas\nDavid Burnell, New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission\nMike Deegan, Florida Clearwater Gas System\nJames Hilliard, Revere Gas Virginia\nGerry Lee, APGA SIF Manager\nJim Osterhaus, Railroad Commission of Texas\nKevin Streeter, PHMSA- Central Region\nBruce Swiecicki, National Propane Gas Association\nRufus Youngblood, Ferrell Gas\nRevised – August, 2016\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nCHAPTER I: GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING AN OPERATOR\nQUALIFICATION PROGRAM\nINTRODUCTION\nThese guidelines were prepared by a team of industry and Government pipeline safety and\ntraining experts to assist small LP operators and master meter operators to develop programs to\nensure that individuals who operate and maintain these systems are qualified for the work they\nperform. LP operators are required to prepare and follow an Operator Qualification (OQ)\nprogram by Federal regulations at 49 CFR 192 Subpart N as well as regulations adopted by some\nStates.\nOQ programs must identify each individual, whether they are an employee of the operator or an\nemployee of a contractor hired by the operator, who performs covered operations or maintenance\nactivities on the piping system. The OQ program must also identify the “covered tasks” that each\nindividual performs and ensure that each individual is evaluated to ensure they have the\nnecessary knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) to perform each task, as well as to recognize and\nreact to abnormal operating conditions (AOC) that may arise while performing these tasks. The\nprocess the operator follows to accomplish these objectives must be in writing. Records of the\ntests, evaluations and other actions required in the plan must be made available for inspection by\nState and Federal pipeline safety inspectors.\nThe following steps should be considered when preparing an OQ program.\nPREPARING A WRITTEN OPERATOR QUALIFICATION PLAN\nThe regulations require that you prepare and follow a written OQ plan that at a minimum\nincludes the following eight provisions:\n1. Identify covered tasks (operation and maintenance (O&M) activities affecting the\nintegrity of the pipeline and required by the safety code);\n2. Evaluate individuals performing covered tasks to demonstrate that they are qualified;\n3. Allow individuals who are not qualified to perform certain covered tasks if directed\nand observed by an individual who is qualified;\n4. Evaluate an individual if there is reason to believe that the individual's performance\nof a covered task contributed to an incident;\n5. Evaluate an individual if there is reason to believe that the individual is no longer\nqualified to perform a covered task;\nRevised – August, 2016 I - 1\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\n6. Communicate changes that affect covered tasks to individuals performing those\ncovered tasks;\n7. Establish re-evaluation intervals; and\n8. Describe how appropriate training will be used in the OQ program (new hires,\nrefresher training for existing employees who transfer to new jobs or fail re-\nvaluations, etc.).\nIn addition to these minimum requirements, the written OQ plan should:\n1. Name the person/position who will be responsible for ensuring that the requirements\nof the plan are carried out;\n2. Identify records necessary to carry out the program and where those records will be\nkept.\nIDENTIFY COVERED TASKS\nA covered task is an activity, identified by the operator, that:\n1. Is performed on a pipeline facility;\n2. Is an operations or maintenance task1;\n3. Is performed as a requirement of this part (Part 192); and\n4. Affects the operation or integrity of the pipeline.\nThe first step in identifying covered tasks is to identify tasks performed on pipeline facilities.\n“Pipeline facilities” means all underground and aboveground piping; it generally does not\ninclude piping inside customer buildings, although if gas is sold to the customer through a gas\nmeter located inside the building, “pipeline facility” extends inside up to the outlet of the meter.\nA good source to identify tasks performed on a pipeline facility is the operator’s Manual for\nOperations, Maintenance and Emergency Response. This will describe operations and\nmaintenance tasks performed on the system.\nThe following is a list of common O&M tasks. Not all of these tasks may apply to every system,\nand there may be additional tasks performed on other systems that meet the definition of a\ncovered task that are not listed here:\n1 Note: Some States (as well as current proposed revisions to Federal regulations) include\nnew construction as operations and maintenance covered tasks.\nRevised – August, 2016 I - 2\n\n<<<PAGE 6>>>\n\nInvestigating leak/odor complaints,\nLocating and marking lines,\nControlling and monitoring pipeline pressures and product flows,\nOperating an odorizer,\nMonitoring propane gas odorization levels (“sniff tests”),\nRepairing leaks,\nInspecting and testing pressure regulator station and overpressure protection,\nTapping pipelines under pressure,\nConducting leakage surveys,\nJoining pipe for maintenance,\nInspecting critical valves,\nWelding on a pipeline for maintenance,\nExcavating and backfilling,\nRepairing coating on existing steel pipelines,\nMeasuring pipe-to-soil or underground container to soil potential,\nCoating aboveground piping,\nInspecting for atmospheric corrosion,\nInspecting the condition of exposed pipe or pipe coating,\nInstalling/replacing a rectifier,\nInstalling/replacing an anode or test station,\nInspecting a rectifier,\nVisually inspecting for internal corrosion,\nPurging,\nPatrolling,\nFilling/emptying an LP container,\nChanging out an LP container,\nMaintaining or replacing LP vaporizers,\nIsolating sections of pipe or stopping off or otherwise controlling the flow of gas or\nproduct to a work site.\nCertain critical tasks fall outside the scope of the OQ Rule. Relighting appliances and other work\nperformed on gas piping or equipment inside the residences are not covered tasks since they are\nnot performed on a pipeline facility as defined above. Conducting meter dial tests for leaks of\ninternal piping also fall in this category. While individuals performing these tasks are not subject\nRevised – August, 2016 I - 3\n\n<<<PAGE 7>>>\n\nto the OQ program, operators should ensure that competent people to do this work since mistakes\ncan lead to accidents. OQ does not exempt anyone from the general good business practices to\nuse competent individuals for all tasks that are important for the safe operation of your system.\nCovered task lists may also be purchased from many industry trade associations and other\nvendors. If one of these lists is utilized, it must be carefully reviewed to ensure that it includes all\nthe tasks performed on the system. Any tasks that are not performed on your system should also\nbe deleted.\nEVALUATE INDIVIDUALS WHO PERFORM COVERED TASKS\nEvaluation means a process of testing a person through written tests, oral exams, or observation\nwhile performing the task on the job or in a classroom or simulated setting, or any other\ndocumented method or combination of methods that can prove the individual possesses the\nnecessary KSA to perform the covered task and recognize and react to AOC. A checklist is\nrequired if observation on the job or a simulation is used for evaluation. To be acceptable, each\nevaluation must include a document that States what is pass or fail for each step in the evaluation\nand indicates what KSA or AOC were tested or observed.\nAn OQ plan must list the specific evaluations (tests, observations, etc.) that will be accepted as\nevidence of qualification in each covered task. The list may include more than one acceptable\nmeans of qualifying individuals for a task. For example: An operator may adopt their\ncontractors’ evaluations or evaluations by third parties (e.g., associations, vendors, State and\nlocal governments); however, the operator is responsible to show that the evaluations are\nappropriate for the way the task is performed on the system.\nThe operator should be able to demonstrate that the evaluations accepted for each covered task\nmeasure the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the task. The evaluations should address\ncritical skills and abilities in addition to critical knowledge needed to perform each task. For\nexample, certain tasks require physical abilities and physical skills critical to accomplishing the\ncovered task, in addition to knowledge of how to perform the task. In that instance, it must be\nensured the evaluation includes a test to address the physical ability of the individual to perform\nthe task. The actual evaluation may involve a knowledge-based test, plus a practical application\nin the field or classroom simulation to demonstrate physical ability and proficiency.\nFurther, the testing for covered tasks included in the qualification program must also include\nquestions or hands-on demonstrations on AOC associated with the task to both recognize and\nreact to the AOC. Abnormal operating condition means a condition that may indicate a\nmalfunction of a component or deviation from normal operations that may:\n(a) Indicate a condition exceeding design limits; or\n(b) Result in a hazard(s) to persons, property, or the environment.\nFor example, a leaking gas pipe is a malfunction of the pipe (it’s not supposed to leak) and can\nresult in a hazard to persons and property.\nRevised – August, 2016 I - 4\n\n<<<PAGE 8>>>\n\nSome typical AOC as identified in ASME B31Q Pipeline Personnel Qualification include:\nUnplanned escape of gas from a pipeline,\nFire or explosion,\nUnplanned pressure deviation,\nUnplanned flow-rate deviation,\nPipeline damage,\nActivation of a safety device other than during planned testing,\nUnplanned status change,\nInterruption or failure of communications, control system or power,\nInadequate odorization or reports of gas odor.\nSome AOC are specific to certain covered tasks (e.g., unplanned pressure deviation could be\ncaused by the failure of a valve, regulator, relief valve, etc., depending on the task). Other AOC\nare general and apply to many, if not all, tasks (e.g., anyone performing operations or\nmaintenance tasks should be able to recognize and react to gas odors, leaking product or spills).\nRegardless, each covered task should identify potential AOC and reactions associated with the\ncovered task.\nOperators must determine credible AOC and identify how personnel are expected to react to\nthese. Evaluations used by the operator should address how to recognize and react to abnormal\noperating conditions. AOC evaluations may be broken out into a separate section of the\nevaluation or may be incorporated within those portions of the evaluations that address routine\nknowledge, skills and abilities. Operators should be able to demonstrate that all abnormal\noperating conditions that can reasonably be anticipated to be encountered and related to the task\nbeing performed are addressed in the evaluations for that task, particularly if off-the-shelf\nevaluations are being used.\nSome conditions such as recognizing low pipe-to-soil potentials or corroded pipe could be\nconsidered AOC or could be considered part of the routine KSA for covered tasks such as\nmeasuring pipe-to-soil potentials or inspecting pipe condition. For OQ compliance purposes, as\nlong as the evaluations for the covered task address how to recognize and react to these\nconditions, it does not matter if these are classified as AOC or normal conditions.\nIf an operator elects to accept evaluations developed by others, e.g., your contractors, State\nplumbers licenses, associations or other vendors, that operator must ensure that these evaluations\naddress the KSA necessary to perform the task and recognize and respond to AOC according to\nthe OQ program procedures.\nThe written OQ plan should address the credentials of the evaluators/qualifiers who will evaluate\nyour employees and contractors. If the evaluations chosen require the evaluator/qualifier to make\na judgment whether the task was performed correctly, then the evaluator/qualifier should possess\nRevised – August, 2016 I - 5\n\n<<<PAGE 9>>>\n\nadequate knowledge about proper performance of the task so that a proper judgment can be made\nwhen evaluating the task. Evaluators/qualifiers should:\n1. Possess the required knowledge, through training or experience, to ascertain that a\nworker is able to perform the covered task and recognize and react to AOC that\nmight surface while performing the task;\n2. Conduct the evaluations required to qualify or re-qualify individuals on Covered\nTasks and be responsible for supplying qualification records.\nALLOW UNQUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS TO PERFORM A COVERED TASK IF\nDIRECTED AND OBSERVED BY AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS QUALIFIED\nOperators may allow individuals who have not met the evaluation criteria listed in the OQ plan\nto perform certain covered tasks under controlled conditions. A written OQ plan must spell out\nthe conditions under which individuals who have not met the qualification criteria may perform\ntasks while under the observation and direction of a qualified individual. This is intended to\nallow on-the-job training and temporary labor work teams.\nDirected and observed means that a qualified individual is at the work site and is directly\nwatching each step of the work to ensure it is performed correctly when the covered task is being\nperformed by an individual(s) not qualified for the task. It is not sufficient that the qualified\nindividual be in the general vicinity, but observing each step of the task and ready to intervene\nimmediately should it be necessary.\nThe written OQ plan should provide guidance on how many non-qualified workers can be\ndirected and observed at one time by a qualified individual and a list of any tasks non-qualified\npersons will not be allowed to perform (e.g., hot taps).\nOperators may specify in the OQ plan that only qualified individuals may perform covered tasks,\nin which case on-the-job training for covered tasks may not be used even with a qualified\nindividual directing and observing the non-qualified individuals.\nExample: Except with respect to welding and plastic fusion, individuals qualified in a covered\ntask being performed will direct and observe any nonqualified individuals performing the\nCovered Task.\nRevised – August, 2016 I - 6\n\n<<<PAGE 10>>>\n\nPOST ACCIDENT/INCIDENT EVALUATION\nThe OQ plan must specify that the operator will re-evaluate anyone whose performance of a\ncovered task may have contributed to an accident (for hazardous liquid pipelines) or incident (for\ngas pipelines), either caused it, failed to respond appropriately or made it worse by responding\ninappropriately. For example, if an accident/incident occurs because a pipeline location was\ninaccurately marked, the individual who marked the line may have contributed to the\naccident/incident. Similarly, if an individual opens a valve that should remain closed and that\ncauses an accident/incident to be worse, that contributes to the severity of the accident/incident.\nThe OQ plan must specify the process used to re-evaluate these individuals. Re-evaluation need\nnot be by the same methods used to initially evaluate the individual, but if the operator intends to\nuse a different method, this method must:\nAddress the KSA and AOC for the task, and\nBe listed in the written OQ Plan as an accepted evaluation for the covered task.\nFOR CAUSE EVALUATION\nThe OQ plan must include provisions on how to re-evaluate persons for whom there are reasons\nto believe that they are no longer qualified. The plan should include some guidance for\nsupervisors to recognize and react to behavior that would trigger these provisions. Reasons could\ninclude observation of the person not following procedures, injury or illness that reduces motor\nskills.\nCOMMUNICATION OF CHANGES\nThe OQ plan must specify how changes to policies, procedures, equipment or regulations are to\nbe communicated to anyone who performs covered tasks affected by the change. Re-evaluation\nmay be required if the changes affect the KSA required for the task. For example, when\npurchasing a new leak detection instrument, an operator should consider whether the new\ninstrument is basically the same as the old instrument it replaces, in which case you need only\ncommunicate to the persons using the device that it has been replaced. If, however, the new\ninstrument operates on a different principle than the one it is replacing, it may be necessary to\nretrain the persons using it and document this training. The OQ plan should also spell out\nconditions under which re-evaluation will be required such as when changes to policies,\nprocedures, etc., require it.\nESTABLISH RE-EVALUATION INTERVALS\nTo continue to be qualified, individuals performing covered tasks must be periodically re-\nevaluated. Re-evaluation intervals should be based on factors such as:\nRevised – August, 2016 I - 7\n\n<<<PAGE 11>>>\n\n1. How frequently is the covered task performed? More frequent performance\nmay justify longer re-evaluation intervals;\n2. How complex is the covered task? More complex tasks may require shorter\nre-evaluation intervals; and\n3. What might the consequences be if the task is performed improperly? What is\nthe worst that could happen if the covered task is not performed correctly,\nwith “catastrophe” justifying shorter re-evaluation intervals and “nothing”\njustifying longer intervals?\nThree years is the commonly accepted interval for most tasks. Intervals over 5 years will require\njustification. Tasks that are performed infrequently may require re-evaluation prior to\nperformance. Federal/State regulations require re-evaluation for certain covered tasks such as\npipe plastic joining and welding to be conducted at annual intervals.\nRe-evaluation need not be by the same process as initial qualification but must address the KSA\nand AOC for the task.\nTRAINING\nThe OQ plan should describe how training fits into an operator’s OQ program. While\nqualification is accomplished through evaluation, not training, some individuals will require\ntraining to provide them with the KSA necessary to pass the evaluations for a covered task.\nSome examples of individuals requiring training are:\n1. New hires\n2. Individuals taking on new tasks (transferred or promoted),\n3. Individuals who fail one or more evaluations,\n4. Infrequent performance of a covered task,\n5. Post Incident or for cause re-evaluation.\nThis does not mean that every individual who performs a covered task needs to go through a\ntraining program before the individual can be re-evaluated. In fact, a common misconception is\nthat training counts as evaluation for a task. Attendance records, certificates of completion, etc.,\nfrom training classes are not evaluation records and cannot be used as the basis for qualifying an\nindividual for any task. Where a training course includes written or oral exams, observations on-\nthe-job or in a classroom simulation, it is the records of these exams and/or observations that can\nbe counted as evaluations for a covered task as long as they address the KSA and AOC for the\ntask.\nRevised – August, 2016 I - 8\n\n<<<PAGE 12>>>\n\nRECORD KEEPING\nAn operator must maintain records to prove that the written OQ plan is being followed. For each\nindividual who performs a covered task on your system, an operator must be able to produce a\nrecord of the date the individual passed each evaluation required for each covered task the\nindividual performs, the tasks for which the individual is qualified and the method used to\nqualify the individual. Records of re-evaluations for cause, post incident and when required by\nre-evaluation intervals must also be maintained. The method may include any combination of\nwritten or oral tests, observation in classroom, on-the job or simulation, or other methods\nspecified in the OQ program as accepted for the covered task. An operator should be able to\nprovide Federal or State inspectors with copies of the evaluation methods, e.g., tests or\nobservation checklists used to qualify a person for the task, so that the inspector can determine if\nthe evaluations address the appropriate KSA for the covered task. You can make an inspection\neasier on both you and the inspector by having a list of the KSA, AOC and identifying where\neach is addressed in your observation checklists, test questions and other evaluation tools.\nRECORD RETENTION\nRecords must be maintained for 5 years after the evaluation is no longer required for current\nqualification for any covered task. In other words, the record retention period is 5 years PLUS\nthe re-evaluation interval specified in an operator’s OQ plan for the covered task. For example, if\nan operator has a 3-year re-evaluation interval for a covered task, and an individual passes an\nevaluation on October 28, 2012, then re-passes the evaluation on October 28, 2015, the operator\nmust maintain the record of the October 28, 2012 evaluation until October 28, 2020, since the\ndate October 28, 2015, is the date on which the operator ceases to rely on the October 28, 2012\nevaluation for qualification.\nCONTRACTORS\nMany operators use contractors to perform covered tasks on their pipeline systems. The OQ\nregulation requires that any individual who performs a covered task on a pipeline system be\nqualified for that task according to THE OPERATOR’S OQ plan. If an operator uses contractors\nfor any covered task, the operator is responsible to ensure that each contractor employee who\nperforms one or more covered tasks on your system is qualified for that task or is being directed\nand supervised by a qualified individual (if the operator’s OQ plan allows for this).\nBelow are four approaches to handling contractor qualification:\n1. Operator evaluates the contractor individuals using company evaluations.\n2. Operator allows the contractor to evaluate its personnel using either the\noperator’s evaluations for the tasks or the contractor’s evaluations for the\ntasks. In the latter case, the operator should obtain copies of the contractor’s\nevaluations and ensure they address the same KSA and AOC as the operator’s\nevaluations for the same tasks. Evaluations must be documented, e.g., test\nRevised – August, 2016 I - 9\n\n<<<PAGE 13>>>\n\nquestions are written and observation evaluations include checklists indicating\nwhat is observed. These evaluations must be listed in the operator’s OQ plan\nas evaluations accepted for these tasks.\n3. Require the contractor to be evaluated by a third party (e.g., NACE, NCCER,\netc.). The operator should contact the third party, obtain copies of the\nevaluations and verify that they address the same KSA and AOC as the\noperator’s evaluations for the same tasks. Evaluations must be documented,\ne.g., test questions are written and observation evaluations include checklists\nindicating what is observed. These evaluations must be listed in your OQ plan\nas evaluations you accept for these tasks.\n4. The operator must ensure that non-qualified contractor personnel are watched\nby a person (operator or contractor personnel) qualified in the covered task\nbeing performed and the observer should be prepared to take immediate\ncorrective action should he/she observe work being done that is not in\naccordance with the operator’s procedures, or being done in an unsafe\nmanner.\nRECORD KEEPING FOR CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL\nIf contractor personnel are used to perform a covered task, the operator must be able to produce\nrecords that the contractor personnel are qualified for the covered tasks they perform. The record\nrequirements for contractors are exactly as described above for company personnel. The records\nmust indicate the date the individual was qualified, the task(s) for which he/she is qualified and\nthe method of qualification. The method must be a method listed in the operator’s OQ plan as\naccepted under the OQ plan for the covered task(s) the individual performs.\nContractor qualification records can be kept by the operator, by the contractor or by a third party.\nIf the operator elects to have the contractor or a third party keep the records, ensure that there are\nprovisions for the operator to obtain the records should the contractor or third party go out of\nbusiness. The operator must be able to produce these records for review for up to 5 years after\nthe last date an individual performs a covered task on your system.\nEMERGENCY RESPONSE\nOQ requirements for emergency response are limited to that portion of the response performed\non the pipeline facility.\nFire departments and other public responders are not required to be qualified and (if not\nqualified) must not perform covered operations or maintenance tasks on the pipeline facility.\nAll other individuals employed by the operator must be qualified to perform their assigned\ncovered tasks or must be under the direct observation of a qualified individual.\nCovered emergency response tasks are those tasks listed in § 192.615(a) that meet the four-part\ntest specified in § 192.801.\nRevised – August, 2016 I - 10\n\n<<<PAGE 14>>>\n\nRESOURCES\nIncluded in Appendix A are links to several resources that can be used with the development and\nimplementation of an operator’s OQ program and assist in preparation for OQ inspections. These\nresources can be used to assist in a self-assessment of an operator’s OQ program to ensure that\nthe program addresses all the important components that the regulators expect to see in an\nacceptable OQ program.\nAppendix B references samples of existing OQ plans that can be revised by operators for their\nOQ plans.\nNOTE: These sample plans must be adapted to accommodate the operator’s specific policies and\nprocedures for their system.\nRevised – August, 2016 I - 11\n\n<<<PAGE 15>>>\n\nCHAPTER II: DEFINITIONS\nA number of terms contained in the OQ Rule and its implementation found in 49 CFR Part 192,\nSubpart N and in Part 195, Subpart G, may be unclear and subject to different interpretations by\noperators and regulatory representatives. The following definitions have been obtained through\nconsideration of gas and liquid pipeline regulations, dictionary definitions of a word or term,\noperator OQ plans, or other sources.\nABILITY\nThe capacity to do or act, physically and/or mentally.\nABNORMAL OPERATING CONDITION (AOC)\nAs defined in §§192.803 and 195.503, abnormal operating condition means a condition\nidentified by the operator that may indicate a malfunction of a component or deviation from\nnormal operations that may:\n(a) Indicate a condition exceeding design limits; or\n(b) Result in a hazard(s) to persons, property, or the environment.\n[Note: To be qualified, an individual must be able to properly perform assigned covered task(s)\nand be able to recognize and react appropriately to any AOC that may (reasonably be expected\nto) be encountered while performing the covered task – whether the condition arises as a direct\nresult of his/her work performance (e.g., be specific to the covered task being performed) or not\n(e.g., be generic in nature, but still observable because the individual is present on site).]\nACTIVITY\nA specific deed, action, function, or sphere of action.\nAFFECTS THE OPERATION OR INTEGRITY OF THE PIPELINE\nAny activity, or omission of an activity, that could directly or indirectly result in a hazard to\npersons, property or the environment. As used in the safety context of the OQ Rule, the phrase\nindicates activities that could result in an AOC that in turn could result in an unsafe operating\ncondition.\nBENCHMARK\nA standard of measurement or evaluation.\nRevised – August, 2016 II - 1\n\n<<<PAGE 16>>>\n\nCOMMUNICATE\nTo convey information about; make known; to reveal clearly.\nCOMPLIANCE\nActivity (ies) in accordance with a rule.\nCONTRIBUTED\nDetermined to be a factor.\nCONTRIBUTED TO\nA judgment by designated operator personnel, that the action or inaction of an individual(s) was\na factor in the occurrence of an incident/accident.\nCOVERED TASK\nAs defined in §§ 192.801 and 195.501, a covered task is an activity, identified by the operator,\nthat:\n(1) Is performed on a pipeline facility;\n(2) Is an operations or maintenance task;\n(3) Is performed as a requirement of this part; and\n(4) Affects the operation or integrity of the pipeline.\nCRITERION\nA standard upon which a judgment is based.\nCURRENT\nBelonging to the present time; now in progress.\nCURRICULUM\nAn interrelated set of courses, structured in a manner that allows an individual to build their\nknowledge and skills consistent with the jobs and tasks they perform.\nRevised – August, 2016 II - 2\n\n<<<PAGE 17>>>\n\nDEMONSTRATE\nProvide tangible evidence.\nDETERMINE\nTo conclude after consideration, investigation, or calculation.\nDIRECT\nTo take authoritative charge of or supervise; to control, order or command.\nDIRECT OBSERVATION\nObservation of an unqualified individual(s) during the performance of a covered task by an\nindividual who is qualified to perform the task being observed. The observer must be in direct\nvisual and verbal contact with the individual(s) and must be able to take immediate and effective\ncorrective action if incorrect procedures or AOCs are observed.\nDOCUMENT\nPrepare a retrievable record.\nEMERGENCY RESPONSE\nActions taken by the operator, fire department, police department and others to an unexpected\nand usually dangerous situation that calls for immediate action.\nEVALUATION\nAs defined in §§ 192.803 and 195.503, evaluation means a process, established and documented\nby the operator, to determine an individual's ability to perform a covered task by any of the\nfollowing:\n(a) Written examination;\n(b) Oral examination;\n(c) Work performance history review (WPHR);\n(d) Observation during:\n(1) Performance on the job,\nRevised – August, 2016 II - 3\n\n<<<PAGE 18>>>\n\n(2) On-the-job training, or\n(3) Simulations.\n(e) Other forms of assessment.\n[Note: Any evaluation of an individual’s qualifications must follow an objective, consistent\nprocess that documents the individual’s ability to perform the covered task, including the ability\nto recognize and react to AOCs.]\nEVALUATOR\nPersons performing evaluations should possess the required knowledge (1) to ascertain an\nindividual’s ability to perform the covered tasks, and (2) to substantiate an individual’s ability to\nrecognize and react to AOCs that might surface while performing those activities. This does not\nnecessarily mean that the person performing the evaluations should be physically able to perform\nthe covered tasks themselves.\nEXCAVATION WITHIN A PIPELINE FACILITY\nQualification for this covered task does not require the operator’s employee or contractor\nemployee to be proficient in the operation of excavation equipment. Covered tasks requiring\nqualification shall include:\nVerification of line location and depth,\nOne-call and underground facility owner/operator notifications,\nSloping/shoring,\nWater removal,\nInspection.\nThird-party excavations that take place on the operator’s pipeline facility shall be handled in\naccordance with the operator’s damage prevention program requirements.\nIDENTIFY\nTo establish the identity of; to ascertain the origin, nature, or definitive characteristics of.\nIMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION\nTaking steps to correct mistakes or abnormal or hazardous conditions without delay.\nRevised – August, 2016 II - 4\n\n<<<PAGE 19>>>\n\nINCIDENT\nAs defined in § 191.3, an incident is any of the following events:\n(1) An event that involves a release of gas from a pipeline, or of liquefied natural gas\n(LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), refrigerant gas or gas from an LNG facility, and\nthat results in one of the following consequences;\n(i) Death or injury requiring in-patient hospitalization; or\n(ii) Estimated property damage of $50,000 or more, including loss to the\noperator and others, or both, but excluding cost of gas lost;\n(iii) Unintentional estimated gas loss of three million cubic feet or more.\n(2) An event that results in an emergency shutdown of an LNG facility.\n(3) An event that is significant, in the judgment of the operator, even though it did not\nmeet the criteria of paragraphs (1) or (2).\nINDIVIDUAL\nA person who, on behalf of the operator, performs one or more covered tasks on a pipeline\nfacility operated by the operator. This includes contractors, subcontractors, and operator\nemployees.\nINSTRUCTOR\nAn individual selected to conduct training, based on possessing required subject knowledge and\nthe ability to effectively deliver training.\nINTEGRITY\nThe ability of a pipeline to operate safely and to withstand the stresses imposed during\noperations.\nINTERVAL\nThe amount of time between two specified instants, events, or states. For OQ purposes,\n“interval” usually refers to the amount of time between re-evaluation of an individual’s\nqualifications.\nKNOWLEDGE\nUnderstanding gained through experience or study.\nRevised – August, 2016 II - 5\n\n<<<PAGE 20>>>\n\nKNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA)\nAn appropriate combination of information, craftsmanship, and proficiency that allows an\nindividual to perform covered tasks in a competent manner.\nMAINTAIN\nTo keep in a condition of good repair or efficiency.\nMAINTENANCE\nThe act of maintaining or the state of being maintained; the work of keeping something in proper\ncondition; upkeep.\nMASTER METER SYSTEM\nAs defined in § 191.3, Master Meter System means a pipeline system for distributing gas within,\nbut not limited to, a definable area, such as a mobile home park, housing project, or apartment\ncomplex, where the operator purchases metered gas from an outside source for resale through a\ngas distribution pipeline system. The gas distribution pipeline system supplies the ultimate\nconsumer who either purchases the gas directly through a meter or by other means, such as by\nrents.\nOBSERVE\nThe act of watching; to watch or perceive. For purposes of conducting qualification evaluations\nusing on-the-job (OTJ) performance, observations must include the interaction of the evaluator\nand qualification candidate to ensure that the candidate’s knowledge of the procedures (and the\nreasons for the key steps therein) is adequate to ensure the continued safe performance of the\ntask.\nOPERATE\nStarting, stopping and/or monitoring a device or system.\nOPERATION\nActions taken to facilitate storage or movement of product through a regulated pipeline.\nPERFORM\nTo begin and carry through to completion; to demonstrate in accordance with the requirements\nof; to accomplish (a covered task) in the proper, customary or established manner.\nRevised – August, 2016 II - 6\n\n<<<PAGE 21>>>\n\nPERSON\nAs defined in §§ 192.3 and 195.2, person means any individual, firm, joint venture, partnership,\ncorporation, association, State, municipality, cooperative association, or joint stock association,\nand includes any trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative thereof.\nPETROLEUM GAS\nAs defined in § 192.3, Petroleum gas means propane, propylene, butane, (normal butane or\nisobutanes), and butylene (including isomers), or mixtures composed predominantly of these\ngases, having a vapor pressure not exceeding 208 psi (1434 kPa) at 100°F (38°C).\nNote; the word “Liquefied” was removed from the code because it was causing confusion among\nthe operators. LP Gas, LPG, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Petroleum Gas are all synonyms with the\ntwo most common being propane and butane.\nPROPANE (PETROLEUM GAS) PIPELINE OPERATOR\nAs defined in § 192.3, Operator means a person who en","truncated":true,"body_characters":269643}