Copyright 2014 by PEC Safety, Inc. First Edition, revised October 23, 2014 All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Per the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their owners. Various photos and videos used in this program are accredited to the US Department of Labor, US Department of the Interior, Getty Images, and Moxie Media, Inc. PEC Safety would also like to thank Texas 811 for all of their help and support in producing this publication. Title: Basic Orientation Introduction to Pipeline Published by: PEC Safety, Inc. PEC Safety, Inc. 233 General Patton Ave. Mandeville, La. 70471 Phone: 1-800-892-8179 Fax: (985) 892-8114 Website: www.pecsafety.com
Contents Instructor s Foreword iii Course Goal iii Course Objectives iii Company Responsibilities iii Course Materials iii Agencies and Regulations Relating to the Pipeline Industry 3 Operator Qualifications 3 Policies and Procedures 4 Drug and Alcohol Requirements 4 Hazardous Materials 4 Asbestos 4 Radioactive Materials 5 Pipe Cleaning Materials 5 Explosives 5 Transportation of Hazardous Materials 6 Abnormal Operating Conditions 6 Equipment Operation and Maintenance 8 Vehicle Operation 8 Heavy Equipment 8 Chainsaw Operations 9 Preparation for Pipeline Transportation 10 Preparation of the Right-of-Way 10 Electrical 11 Testing 11 Pipe Handling 12 Loading and Unloading 12 Stockpiling 12 Stringing 12 Bending Operations 12 Boring and Drilling 13 Welding Operations 13 Excavation 15 Lowering-in 16 Backfilling a Ditch 16 Guidelines for the Pipeline 17 Glossary 17 233 General Patton Ave. Mandeville, LA 70471 1.800.892.8179 www.pecsafety.com page v Basic Orientation Introduction to Pipeline
Basic Orientation Introduction to Pipeline 2014 PEC Safety, Inc. page 2 Pipelines are used to move material from one location to another. There are over 2.5 million miles of pipelines in the United States. They transport materials used to make products we use every day, such as gasoline and diesel fuel. Many different types of materials can be transported in a pipeline. These materials include crude petroleum, natural gas, natural gas liquids, propane, fuels, and chemicals. There are three types of pipelines used to transport material gathering, transmission, and distribution lines. Gathering lines are like entrance ramps leading to an interstate highway. They transport gases and liquids from an extraction point to a processing facility, refinery, or transmission line. Transmission lines are like interstate highways; they are the main arteries for long-distance travel. Transmission lines transport gases and liquids from a gathering line to a distribution center, storage facility, or large volume customer. Distribution lines are like exit ramps. They allow material to get to its final destination. Distribution lines are service lines that transport material from a supply center to either a customer s meter or to a customer s piping. Gathering Lines Transmission Lines Distribution Lines Pipelines are like highways for materials
Agencies and Regulations Relating to the Pipeline Industry All aspects of pipeline transportation are regulated at federal, state, and local levels. The Department of Transportation s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is the federal agency responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of regulations regarding interstate pipeline construction, maintenance, and operations in the United States. Many state agencies have adopted DOT PHMSA regulations and have been approved to inspect and regulate intrastate pipelines. Along with PHMSA, state partners and other groups play a significant role in regulating pipelines. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is responsible for approving the location and routes of new interstate natural gas pipelines. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for establishing and enforcing any environmental regulations related to pipeline companies, such as those regarding air and water quality. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pipeline Security Division has issued guidelines that describe the best practices for protecting pipeline facilities from anyone seeking to intentionally damage them. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress Agency Department of Transportation s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT PHMSA) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Pipeline Security Division National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine the probable cause of unusual transportation incidents, including those that occur on pipelines. Based on their findings, the NTSB often recommends transportation safety improvements to PHMSA, pipeline operators, and others. Operator Qualifications Operators who are required to perform covered tasks, which are any activities on a pipeline facility, must be qualified. Here, the term qualified means that individuals have proven they can recognize and react to potentially hazardous operating conditions and are allowed to perform the assigned task. DOT implemented the Operator Qualification (OQ) rule, which requires operators to put an OQ Plan in place. An OQ plan is used to make sure that all workers are qualified. There is a difference between being trained and being operator qualified. A worker trained to perform a covered task is not automatically operator qualified to perform the task on a pipeline facility. There are two reasons for the OQ rule. First, it makes sure that the people performing work on pipelines regulated by DOT are qualified to do the work. Second, verifying that workers are operator qualified helps reduce the number of pipeline incidents and eases the impact of incidents that do happen. Purpose Responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of regulations regarding interstate pipeline construction, maintenance, and operations in the United States Responsible for the approval of the location and routes of new interstate natural gas pipelines Responsible for establishing and enforcing any environmental regulations related to pipeline companies, such as those regarding air and water quality Issues guidelines that describe the best practices for protecting pipeline facilities from anyone seeking to intentionally damage the facility Charged by Congress to determine the probable cause of unusual transportation incidents, including those that occur on pipelines; recommends transportation safety improvements to PHMSA, pipeline operators, and others based on findings 233 General Patton Ave. Mandeville, LA 70471 1.800.892.8179 www.pecsafety.com page 3 Basic Orientation Introduction to Pipeline
Basic Orientation Introduction to Pipeline 2014 PEC Safety, Inc. Pipe Handling Moving pipe at any stage can be dangerous. Follow these guidelines during loading, unloading, stockpiling, and stringing. Loading and Unloading Although pipe is secured when it is loaded, the load may shift during transport. Be aware of signs of a shifted load and always be careful when unloading pipe. Stay alert and in communication during simultaneous operations, such as when heavy equipment is operating near pipe loading or unloading. Pay attention to your body placement. There are countless pinch points and areas you can be caught between. The guide lines or tag lines must be long enough for employees to stand clear while guiding the pipe. Stockpiling Before stockpiling pipe, identify an area that has enough space and can support the weight of the pipe. When approaching stacked material, be aware that it can expand and contract as the temperature changes, causing it to become unstable. The level of moisture in the ground can cause the pipe to shift as well. For example, after a rain the ground may soften, causing a pipe to shift. Extended hot and dry heat exposure may cause the ground to shift as well. Stringing Stringing operations are used to deliver and distribute line pipe where and when it is needed on the ROW. Specialized trailers move joints of pipe from the storage yard to the ROW. The separate joints of pipe are then strung alongside the excavated ditch so they are easily accessible to the construction workers who will lay the pipe. It is important for you to remain alert and in communication with one another during these simultaneous operations. Do not climb or ride on moving equipment and keep your hands and fingers off the end of the pipe. page 14 Bending Operations Pipelines may run several miles through different types of terrain. The pipe needs to be curved around obstacles to make sure the pipe flows correctly. Pipe is run through a bending machine to help the pipe fit along the curve. This process involves the use of heavy equipment and several workers. All employees working near a bending operation must stay alert for the movement of pipe joints to and from the bending machine. Hearing protection must be worn when working near a bending machine. Keep hands and arms clear of bending shoes and always watch for pinch points and caught-between hazards. Tag lines must be used for controlling overhead loads. Do not sit or stand on the pipe. Stay in clear communication with the equipment operator. A bending machine Pipe being strung prior to lowering in
Boring and Drilling Boring, also known as horizontal directional drilling, is used to create an underground path for a pipeline without an open trench line. Boring is used when creating a trench would be more difficult than simply drilling into the side of the terrain. You must always call 811 before beginning boring and drilling operations. Rotating Parts There are rotating parts used in boring and drilling. Stay a safe distance away from these dangerous areas so that you don t get caught in the equipment. Never step over the rod where it enters the ground. Use the proper tools and clamps and follow correct procedures to disassemble or uncouple drill rods. Changing Out Baskets Changing out baskets has similar hazards to loading and unloading pipe. Heavy equipment is used to change baskets, which can cause the load to shift. When lowering or loading the basket, there are multiple pinch points to be aware of. Entry and Exit Pits Entry and exit pits are dug out for the collection of hydraulic fracturing material. These pits need to be marked and blocked appropriately. When mixing drilling fluids, which are known as mud, be sure you are wearing proper PPE such as a dust mask or respirator. All buried utilities must be located and exposed as necessary before drilling. This may be done with a vacuum excavator, a piece of heavy equipment that sucks up earth and dirt at extremely high speeds. Vacuum excavation, sometimes called hydrovacking, safely removes earth from around a utility without having to dig into the earth and possibly damage the utility or create a hazard to workers. Always call 811 before drilling. Changing out baskets 233 General Patton Ave. Mandeville, LA 70471 1.800.892.8179 www.pecsafety.com page 15 Hydrovacking Basic Orientation Introduction to Pipeline