PHMSA Holds Second Public Forum On Recommended Practice For Pipeline Safety Management Systems; Publication Expected In December

Today, the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) hosted its second public forum to discuss the emerging recommended practice for Pipeline Safety Management Systems (PSMS), American Petroleum Institute RP 1173.  Members of the development team discussed the ten essential elements for a PSMS identified in the recommended practice:  (1) leadership and management commitment; (2) stakeholder engagement; (3) risk management; (4) operator controls; (5) incident investigation, evaluation, and lessons learned; (6) safety assurance; (7) management review and continuous improvement; (8) emergency preparedness and response; (9) competence, awareness, and training; and (10) documentation and record keeping.

The recommended practice, which is expected to be published in December 2014, is the result of the recommendation by the National Transportation Safety Board in its accident report following a July 2010 pipeline rupture that “pipeline safety would be enhanced if pipeline companies implemented safety management systems.”  According to PHMSA, the recommended practice provides a framework for continuous safety improvement and will guide pipeline operators on how best to implement and benefit from a PSMS.

The recommended practice is currently undergoing final review under API’s industry balloting approval process and American National Standards Institute requirements.  The public comment period is currently open.  Video of and presentations from the forum will be available on PHMSA’s youtube channel (youtube.com/user/PHMSADOT).