PIPELINE PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION

Transcription

1 PIPELINE PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION ASME B31Q Update September 2, 2015 National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives 2015 Annual Board of Directors Meeting and National Meeting Jerry Schmitz and Mike Gruenberg

2 Outline History and Background of ASME B31Q ASME B31Q Committee Structure Highlights of the Standard The Covered Task List Implementation of the Standard How the Standard Compares to the Proposed Operator Qualification Rule Changes Summary

3 Historical Perspective 1999: PHMSA published Operator Qualification (OQ) rule 2002: NTSB labeled Operator Qualification as unsatisfactory 2003: PHMSA issued 13 areas they considered as gaps in the rule 2003: Four public meetings held to address the 13 issues 2003: ASME B31Q Project Team formed to develop a technically sound, holistic, consensus standard for the qualification of pipeline personnel 2005: PHMSA amended OQ rule to address training, on-the-job performance and reporting significant plan changes 2006: ASME published the first edition of B31Q 2010: ASME published the second edition of B31Q 2014: ASME published the third edition of B31Q 2016: ASME expects to publish the fourth edition of B31Q

4 ASME B31Q American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) selected as entity to help develop and house standard ASME B31Q committee selected State and Federal Regulators Operators from all segments of the industry Contractor community Industry Associations Labor Vendors Started August 2003 and first published in 2006

5 ASME B31Q

6 Background CONGRESS included language in H.R Pipeline Safety Reauthorization Act of 2002 NTSB labels Operator Qualification as unsatisfactory in 2002 Office of Pipeline Safety issues 13 areas they consider as gaps in the rule and find rule violations 36% of audits have findings 12% of audits are given Notice of Probable Violations Operators find there to be inconsistent rule interpretations Contractors see no consistency in Operator programs and are required to qualify for the same task using different methods Individuals have been unable to link work experience, past training or certifications to qualifications

7 13 Perceived Gaps Scope of OQ inspections Lack of identified knowledge, skills and abilities Re-evaluation intervals Maintenance vs. new construction Treatment of Emergency Response Missing covered tasks (excavation) Extent of documentation Generic vs. task specific Abnormal Operating Conditions Treatment of training Criteria for small operators Use of directing and observing Noteworthy practices Persons contributing to an accident

8 Underlying Principles of ASME B31Q Address the 13 gaps Holistic approach to qualifications Scope covers tasks that impact the safety or integrity of the pipeline Technically based Prescriptive and Performance options

9 Revisions to ASME B31Q 2010 Standard revised to add: Purging task Pigging task Section on new technology Section on long term degradation of physical abilities 2014 Standard revised to expand task details 2016 Proposed revisions to include: New Appendix with Implementation Guidelines New covered tasks

10 ANSI Process Technical Committee approval B31 Committee approval Public comments Publication of approved revisions

11 Organization of Committee Chair Vice-Chair Secretary Teams (Sub-Committees) Team 1: Technical Issues Task Related Team 2: Technical issues Non Task Related Team 3: Administrative Membership Diversity Hazardous Liquids - Federal Regulators Gas Transmission - State Regulators Gas Distribution - Contractors Small Operators - Labor Industry/Trade Assoc. - Vendors

12 ASME B31Q Benefits Standardized task list Standardized requalification frequencies Identifies key qualification components Allows for portability Rationale are embedded in document Consistent with Proposed New OQ Rule

13 B31Q Standard Content Foreword Introduction Definitions References Qualification Program Determining Covered Tasks Abnormal Operating Conditions Training Evaluation Qualifications Portability Program Effectiveness Communicating the Qualification Program and Managing Changes Documentation Requirements Bibliography

14 What is included in the standard? Scope/Introduction/Definitions and references: Two part test used to develop the covered task list Industry established definitions Referenced documents ASNT API 1104

15 B31Q Standard Qualification Program Elements include: Covered tasks Abnormal operating conditions Training Evaluations Qualifications Portability Program effectiveness Management of change Documentation

16 Covered Task List - Task List Development Process Subject Matter Experts Difficulty, importance, and frequency review Fault Tree Development (in reference material) Appendix 5C provides guidance on how to develop a task 165 Covered tasks included in the standard

17 Integrated Task List Components Task 0981 Backfilling L G D Difficulty Importance Interval Initial Method Subsequent Span of Control X X X yrs. P&W/O W/O 1:3 Task Guidance: This task includes visually inspecting backfill material, installation of pipe protective material (e.g., padding, shading, and rock shield), verification of firm support, and placing backfill in lifts or layers as specified. 1) Select task procedure(s) and appropriate equipment 2) Visually inspect backfill material 3) Install pipe protective material (e.g., padding, shading, and rock shield) 4) Place backfill material around the pipe to provide firm support under and around the pipe 5) Document, as required

18 Enhanced Task Guidance Example Task 0981 Backfilling 2010 Criteria 2014 Criteria Identify requirements Select task procedure(s) and appropriate equipment Visually inspect backfill material Visually inspect backfill material Remove items that may damage pipe or pipe coating (rocks, metal, masonry, frozen chunks, etc.) Ensure backfill material meets standards or adheres to special instructions

19 Enhanced Task Guidance Example Task 0981 Backfilling 2010 Criteria 2014 Criteria Place material to provide firm support and protect pipe Recognize and react to AOCs Install pipe protective material (e.g., padding, shading, and rock shield) Place the backfill material around the pipe to provide firm support under and around the pipe Avoid damage to the pipe or coating Ensure the pipe is properly supported and no voids exist Layer and compact as applicable

20 Enhanced Task Guidance Example Task Criteria 2014 Criteria If required, complete documentation Document, as required

21 Abnormal Operating Conditions Appendix 6A Nine general AOC examples 2014 edition addressed typical AOCs within each revised task

22 New Non-mandatory Appendix H Implementing B31Q Background Implementation of Nonmandatory Appendix A, the B31Q Task List Implementation of the B31Q Standard

23 Implementation of the B31Q Task List Review the B31Q Task List Review Company s Current Task List Combine Task Lists to Create a B31Q Compatible Task List Evaluate and Develop Training Material Reconcile Qualification Records Manage Program Change Record and Document Qualifications

24 Creation of a B31Q Compatible Task List

25 Proposed New OQ Rule New two part test Definitions Evaluator selection Program effectiveness

26 Two Part Test Any maintenance, construction or emergency response task the operator identifies as: Affecting the safety, or Integrity of the pipeline.

27 Definitions Abnormal operating condition Covered task Direct and observe Emergency response tasks Evaluation Knowledge, skills and abilities Qualified Safety or integrity Significant changes Span of control

28 Evaluator Selection Establish the requirements of an evaluator Establish required training, if applicable

29 Program Effectiveness Required annual, not to exceed 15 months, program review Developed process Developed measures to determine the effectiveness

30 Ways to Participate Comments to secretary Work through members Attend meetings Upcoming meetings Chicago, IL, September 16-17, 2015 San Francisco, CA, April 12-13, 2016 Charleston, SC (or Boston), September 21-22, 2016 Web site: Search on B31Q Committee

31 Summary Value of current standard Continuous review and updates Your participation is welcome Using the standard now and in the future

32 Questions

33 Contact Information ASME: Amy Livingston (205) Jerry Schmitz (702) Michael Gruenberg (702)