Always Know What’s Below!
The Pipeline Safety Program not only inspects gas pipelines and infrastructure, it also oversees gas pipeline operator’s pipeline safety awareness programs.
Each operator has a responsibility to follow the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration’s (PHMSA’s) Federal pipeline safety regulations requiring pipeline operators to conduct public awareness programs to provide pipeline safety information to four stakeholder audiences, including:
- Affected public
- Emergency officials,
- Local public officials, and
- Excavators
Awareness programs are based on guidance provided by the American Petroleum Institute (API) Recommended Practice (RP) 1162, "Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators.”
To comply with Federal regulations, operators must conduct periodic Pipeline Awareness Program (PAP) effectiveness evaluations no more than four years apart, following the date of program implementation. The requirement includes lines maintained by an operator that could go back into service.
A PAP inspection includes a written PAP and records such as stakeholder lists, brochures, or pamphlets indicating message, documentation of sent messages, maps, procedures, plans, evaluation results, follow-up actions, and other relevant documentation that supports compliance. Operators must maintain records of key program documentation to demonstrate compliance with the public awareness regulations. Under §192.616(c) and §195.440(c), each operator must follow the general program recommendations which include retaining records for each category listed in API RP 1162 Section 7.2 for a minimum of five (5) years, or as defined in the operator’s PAP, whichever is longer.
The Pipeline Safety Program partners with numerous agencies and organizations including Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, (CDPHE) Colorado 811, PHYMSA, NPS, Pipeline Association for Public Awareness, Pipeline Safety Trust, NAPSR, National Transportation Safety Board and the Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The program offers pipeline safety webinars and material to help with pipeline safety awareness.
Remember the three S’s of pipeline safety where you work or live:
- Smell – natural gas doesn’t have any smell, but the chemical mercaptan is added to give its rotten egg smell.
- Sound – sometimes a natural gas leak can emit a hissing sound.
- Sight – if you see air bubbles or dying vegetation around gas infrastructure.
If you do, immediately leave the premise or area, and call 911.
For more information, contact us at: dora_copuc_pipeline_safety@state.co.us
