Important Safety Information

Transcription

1 Important Safety Information for Public Officials 2015 Please do not discard. You are receiving this because we have a pipeline in your area.

2 Pipelines Near You Formerly known as Access Midstream, Williams has taken over operations of and will maintain assets located in the Williams Access Operating Area. In the near future, you will notice a name change on pipeline marker signs in your area. You are receiving this brochure because a pipeline or above ground facility operated by Williams is in your area. It is important that you read and share this safety information with others. Williams pipelines and facilities are part of a vast national network of underground pipelines. This system is our country s lifeline for a variety of daily activities. From natural gas to heating oil, from water to jet fuel, pipelines reliably deliver products many of us take for granted but which are essential to our nation s economy and standard of living. Some pipelines transport potentially hazardous and flammable substances under high pressure. Yet, according to statistics from the National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), pipelines are one of the safest modes of transportation in the United States. Williams maintains a Damage Prevention Program in accordance with state and federal guidelines. The purpose of the program is to prevent damage to our pipelines and facilities from excavation activities, such as digging, trenching, blasting, boring or any other digging activity. Through our efforts and shared responsibility with stakeholders, we strive to increase awareness and eliminate damages to underground pipelines. Public safety, environmental protection and service integrity are important to us. 2

3 Safe Operations Knowing where pipelines are located, recognizing unauthorized activity or abnormal conditions and knowing how to react in the event of a pipeline incident will help protect these integral parts of our country s energy infrastructure. WILLIAMS ACCESS OPERATING AREAS Active Areas Operating States Williams Access Operating Area (OA) provides four key links to the natural gas and petroleum value chain across 9 states: Gathering/Transportation Compressing/Pumping Processing Treating To ensure safe operations, we monitor our pipelines 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition, we treat corrosion threats, conduct regular patrols and perform regular inspections of our pipelines and related rights-of-way (ROW). In the event of a Williams Access OA pipeline emergency, from a safe location immediately contact and For more information about pipeline safety visit co.williams.com/safety/public-outreach. You can also contact us at PublicAwareness@Williams.com 3

4 Product Characteristics The following table outlines the characteristics of some common products transported via pipeline. PRODUCT LEAK TYPE VAPORS HEALTH HAZARDS FIRE HAZARDS Natural Gas Gas Lighter than air Extremely high concentrations may cause irritation or asphyxiation Extremely flammable and easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames Highly Volatile Liquids (HVL) = Natural Gas Condensate Liquid/ Gas Heavier than air Respiratory tract irritant; may cause central nervous system effects, drowsiness, asphyxiation Extremely flammable liquid or vapor; vapors are heavier than air and may accumulate in low areas and travel considerable distance to an ignition source Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2 S) Gas Heavier than air High concentrations may paralyze sense of smell and be fatal Flammable; vapors are heavier than air and will settle, particularly in low-lying areas Important Resource The Emergency Response Guide (ERG) can be viewed or purchased at hazmat.dot.gov. Please PublicAwareness@Williams.com for specific commodities in your area. Use Your Senses Although pipeline leaks are uncommon, it is important to be able to recognize the warning signs using sight, smell and sound. Note: all of these signs may not be evident at the same time. Discolored or dead vegetation Flames coming from the ground A cloud of vapor, fog or mist A pool of liquid on the ground or bubbling in a wet, flooded area Dirt blowing in the air A rainbow or sheen on the water An unusual hissing or roaring noise coming from a pipeline An unusual odor or scent of gas, petroleum liquids or a slight hydrocarbon smell natural gas is primarily odorless in gathering and transmission pipelines Natural gas transported through pipelines like those operated by Williams are typically unodorized and may carry a faint petroleum scent or no odor at all Hydrogen sulfide will carry a pungent rotten egg odor. If a Williams pipeline near you transports natural gas containing hydrogen sulfide you will receive an additional brochure specifically for hydrogen sulfide 4

5 Williams Emergency Actions Williams strives to build partnerships with the emergency response community to share resources and provide education for a safe response to a pipeline emergency. In the unlikely event of a pipeline emergency, Williams will work with the response community to control the situation as quickly as possible. Our trained personnel will: Arrive at the site of the emergency and stop or reduce product flow to the area Notify and work with the appropriate emergency response officials Repair the facility and restore service as soon as possible Fully investigate the cause of the incident If a leak does occur: Turn off and abandon any motorized equipment, if applicable. Evacuate the area quickly and cautiously by walking into the wind, away from possibly hazardous fumes. Warn others to clear the area. Call 9-1-1, the pipeline operator and 811 once you have reached a safe location. DO NOT touch, inhale or make contact with leaking liquids or gas. DO NOT use open flames or anything that could ignite a spark (cell phones, flashlights, motor vehicles, tools, etc.). DO NOT attempt to operate pipeline valves. Wait for an authorized representative from the pipeline operator. Call Before You Dig Call 811 before beginning any excavation project no matter how big or small the project is. By law, people performing excavation or construction activities are required to call to 72 hours before beginning work (varies by state). If Williams operates pipeline in the vicinity, we will be notified and will locate and mark our pipeline with temporary flags or spray paint before you dig. Damage from excavation-related activities is the leading cause of pipeline incidents, so always call 811 before you dig. This includes anything from small home projects to large scale construction projects. 5

6 CALL ACCESS MIDSTREAM BEFORE EXCAVATING OR IN AN EMERGENCY CALL CALL ACCESS MIDSTREAM White Lining Anyone digging is encouraged to pre-mark with white paint, stakes or flags to show the specific area where excavation will take place. This process, known as white lining, ensures accuracy and eliminates unnecessary locations. Uniform Color Code For Temporary Underground Utility Marking Proposed Excavation Temporary Survey Electric Gas, Oil, Steam or Petroleum Communication Potable Water Reclaimed Water or Irrigation Sewer and Drain Lines Pipeline Markers Since pipelines are generally buried underground, pipeline markers and warning signs are used aboveground to indicate their general location. These markers are placed wherever needed to indicate the presence of a pipeline, including at river, railroad and street crossings and in other heavily congested areas. These markers do not, however, show the exact location, depth, pressure or number of pipelines. Pipelines also do not always follow a straight path. Train Derailment When a train derailment incident occurs there is potential for damage to above ground valve sites and buried pipelines. If a derailment incident occurs, please contact the operator and 811 immediately. Be familiar with these permanent markers that indicate the: Material transported in the pipeline Name of the pipeline operator Telephone number where the operator can be reached 24/7 in an emergency Permanent Marker Signs Temporary Flag WARNING Pipeline Encroachments A right-of-way (ROW) is a defined clearing above and on either side of a pipeline. It is typically identified by pipeline marker signs and allows operators access in an emergency and to conduct regular inspections. An encroachment is a structure or object that overlaps the ROW that might impede access or pose a significant risk to the pipeline and should not be installed without permission from the pipeline company. Examples include: Residential Encroachments: Ponds Swimming pools Fences Sheds Decks Trees 6 Commercial Encroachments: Utility lines (overhead or buried) Other pipelines Highways or public roadways Parking lots Sidewalks Buildings or structures

7 Protecting our Communities You have an impact on community growth, land use planning and development activities near natural gas pipelines to improve the safety of the affected communities. The Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance (PIPA) assists communities in becoming risk-informed about transmission pipelines and making better land use planning and development decisions related to pipelines. PIPA has developed recommended practices for protecting communities, protecting transmission pipelines and communicating among stakeholders. See: Considerations for proper community and land development near pipelines: Establish consultation zones to require developers and pipeline operators to communicate Restrict certain types of land use and development Ensure adequate access for pipeline maintenance and emergency response or evacuation Integrity Management An Integrity Management Plan (IMP) provides a process of assessing and mitigating risks along transmission pipelines. Williams has developed and implemented an IMP that provides a process for monitoring, managing and mitigating risks along transmission pipelines. Contact us if you would like a copy. High Consequence Areas High Consequence Areas (HCAs) are part of the Williams Integrity Management Program and apply to transmission piping only. Enhanced protection for highly populated areas, an outside area or open structure, or a facility occupied by persons who are confined, are of impaired mobility, or would be difficult to evacuate. Examples of HCAs include beaches, playgrounds, recreational facilities, camping grounds, outdoor theaters, stadiums, recreational areas near a body of water, religious facilities, office buildings, community centers, general stores, 4-H facilities, roller-skating rinks, hospitals, prisons, schools, day-care facilities, retirement facilities or assisted-living facilities. Unusually Sensitive Areas Unusually Sensitive Areas (USAs) are similar to High Consequence Areas but instead of natural gas transmission pipeline, a USA is for liquid pipelines. These sites include commercially navigable waterways, high population or other populated areas, and primary or alternative drinking water sources, ecological resources, wetlands or areas inhabited by threatened and endangered species. Be a good neighbor! Be aware of people acting suspiciously near pipelines or pipeline facilities. Report unusual or suspicious activity, including: People or vehicles loitering in the vicinity of pipelines or facilities People taking photos, video or showing other unusual interest in pipelines or facilities A strong odor or fluid leaking from a vehicle located near a pipeline or facility The National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS) includes information on hazardous liquid pipelines and natural gas transmission pipelines. To view the transmission pipelines in your area, visit npms.phmsa.dot.gov. Please note: this site does not currently map gas gathering of distribution pipelines. For questions about, or to report, an encroachment, PublicAwareness@Williams.com. For state-specific one-call information, visit For more information about pipeline safety, visit You can also contact us at PublicAwareness@Williams.com or For copies of our Pipeline Safety information for Emergency Responders and Affected Public please contact us or visit our website. 7

8 P.O. Box 3151 Wichita, KS Enter to Win a $50 Gift Card To report an emergency, call: Please fill out our attached survey for a chance to win one of 10 $50 prepaid gift cards. You may also fill out our online survey at: PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BLS