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Operator Qualification

Summary of Rule
As of October 26, 1999, in accordance with 49 CFR 192 and 195, pipeline operators are required to develop and maintain a written qualification program for individuals performing covered tasks on pipeline facilities. The intent of this qualification rule is to ensure a qualified work force and to reduce the probability and consequence of incidents caused by human error. This final rule creates new subparts in the gas and hazardous liquid pipeline safety regulations. It establishes qualification requirements for individuals performing covered tasks, and amends certain training requirements in the hazardous liquid regulations.

Effective When?
The federal regulation became effective October 26, 1999. All operators were required to have a written plan by April 27, 2001. All individuals performing a covered task were required to be Operator Qualified by October 28, 2002, or be directed and observed by an individual of qualified status.

Applies to Who?
The federal regulation applies to every liquid and gas operator with jurisdictional facilities. Jurisdiction extends to the outlet swivel of a meter. Operators include small distribution systems and master meter systems, with one or more individuals performing covered tasks.

What's Ahead
The latest publication of OQ is known as OQ2. However, OQ3 is on it's way. The purpose of OQ3 is for operators to develop a basis for reevaluation periods of any particular covered task. The basis for reevaluation periods is comprised of three criteria: Difficulty of the covered task, Importance of the covered task as it pertains to an individual operator, and Frequency of performing the covered task, otherwise known as DIF.

Becoming Compliant

Written Plan
As of April 27, 2001, all operators were to have a written OQ Plan in effect. The formula for writing a basic OQ plan is as follows:

1. Review Operations and Maintenance Manual
The OQ Plan can and should be derived directly from an operator's O & M Manual and should include the following:
- Identify All Covered Tasks
- Identify All Personnel Performing Covered Tasks
- Identify All Contractors Performing Covered Tasks
- Specify Qualification Process for Company Personnel
- Specify Operator Qualification Process for Contractors
2. Identify All Covered Tasks
All covered tasks should be identified and written in the OQ Plan. In order for any task to be considered a Covered Task, it must meet all four of the following criteria:
1. Is performed on a pipeline facility;
2. Is an operations and maintenance task;
3. Is performed as a requirement of 49 CFR 192 and 195;
4. Affects the operation and integrity of the pipeline.
3. Identify All Personnel Performing Covered Tasks
Any and all company personnel performing a covered task needs to be identified in the OQ Plan. Updated records should be kept for any employee performing a covered task, including a date of evaluation or reevaluation for qualification of that employee.

4. Identify All Contractors Performing Covered Tasks
Any and all contractors performing a covered task on an operator's system needs to be identified in the OQ Plan. Updated records should be kept for any contractor performing a covered task on an operator's system, including a date of evaluation or reevaluation for qualification of that contractor.

5. Specify Qualification Process for Company Personnel
There are several means of qualifying any and all individuals performing a covered task. Some methods of qualification are training, oral testing, written testing, performance evaluations, on the job training, and simulations. Work history may no longer be used as a sole determinant of qualification as of October 28, 2002. Whatever means of qualification a company chooses to use must be specifically detailed in that company's OQ Plan as well as defining a basis for reevaluation.

6. Specify Operator Qualification Process for Contractors
It is the operator's responsibility to determine whether or not a contractor is operator qualified and whether or not that qualification meets the standards of that operator. For example, if a contractor has a different reevaluation period for a certain covered task from the operator's reevaluation period for that covered task, then the operator must be able to justify the basis for allowing that contractor's reevaluation period as adequate for qualification. Contractors may be qualified in the same manner that operators are qualified in the above paragraph.

How Can B.enviroSAFE, Inc. Help?

Accredited Training Sponsor
B.enviroSAFE, Inc. is an Accredited Training Sponsor recognized by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Our team has put together a five week training course that includes written testing, covering Gas Pipeline Operations, Liquid Pipeline Field Operations, Liquid Pipeline Control Center Operations, Pipeline Corrosion Control, Pipeline Electrical and Instrumentation, Pipeline Maintenance, and Pipeline Mechanical. Each pipeline category is broken down further into Modules. Please see the general training schedule for each pipeline category, modules, and included covered tasks. Each training session is filled on a first come first serve basis. Seating is limited. Please contact Randy Bartley for more information.

Accredited Assessment Center
B.enviroSAFE, Inc. is also an Accredited Assessment Center, again recognized by the NCCER. As such, B.enviroSAFE, Inc. is part of the National Craft Assessment and Certification Program (NCACP), and is able to assess the journey-level knowledge and skills of craftworkers, provide task-specific feedback and knowledge for upgrade training, and certify a participant's successful performance on knowledge or written and skill components of the assessment process. This is an alternative to our training program, and also allows us to administer performance evaluations to assess the skill level of individuals performing covered tasks on pipeline facilities. In recognition of special training needs, B.enviroSAFE, Inc. offers a Distance Learning or Self-Study Program.

General Training Schedule-Covered Tasks

Week One

           

MONDAY

Pipeline Corrosion Control-Level 1

  • Locating Pipeline and Cable

CT 14.1 Locate Line

CT 17.1 Locate Line

  • Measure Pit Depth and Wall Thickness

CT 8 Measure Wall Thickness (All Subtasks Included)

  • Inspect Buried and Submerged Pipe When Exposed

CT 5 Inspect Buried Pipe When Exposed (All Subtasks Included)

 

TUESDAY

Pipeline Corrosion Control-Level 1

  • Aboveground Pipe Coating and Inspection

CT 7.1 Visual Inspection of Atmospheric Coating

CT 7.2 Prepare Surface for Atmospheric Coating Using Hand and Power Tools

CT 7.3 Perform Water Pressure Cleaning

CT 7.5 Apply Atmospheric Coating Using Hand Application Methods

CT 13.2 Perform Water Pressure Cleaning

  • Apply and Repair External Coating on Buried and Submerged

CT 13.1 Prepare Surface for Coating Using Hand and Power Tools

CT 13.4 Apply Coating Using Hand Application Methods

  • Cathodic Protection and Measurement

CT 1.1 Measure Structure-to-Soil Potentials

CT 1.5 Inspect and Test Isolation Devices

CT 3.1 Obtain a Voltage and Current Output Reading from a Rectifier

CT 3.2 Check for Proper Operation of a Rectifier

 

WEDNESDAY

Pipeline Corrosion Control-Level 1

  • Test Station Repair

CT 2 Maintain Test Leads (All Subtasks Included)

  • Inspect Internal Pipe Surfaces

CT 12 Inspect Internal Pipe Surfaces (No Subtasks)

  • Internal Corrosion Control

CT 10.1 Insert and Remove Coupons

CT 10.2 Monitor Probes (on-line)

CT 11 Perform Internal Corrosion Remediation

 

THURSDAY

Pipeline Corrosion Control-Level 2

  • Install Cathodic Protection Systems

CT 9.2 Install Galvanic Anodes

CT 9.3 Install Rectifiers

CT 9.4 Install Impressed Current Groundbeds

  • Maintain and Repair Rectifiers

CT 4 Maintain Rectifier (All Subtasks Included)

  • Mitigate Interference

CT 1.3 Test to Detect Interference

      CT 9.1 Install Bonds

  • Test and Repair Shorted Casings

CT 9.5 Repair Shorted Casings

 

FRIDAY

Pipeline Corrosion Control-Level 2

  • Conduct Close Interval Survey

CT 1.2 Conduct Close Interval Survey

CT 1.4 Inspect and Perform Electrical Test of Bonds

  • Perform Coating Inspection

CT 7.7 Use Coating Inspection Tools

  • Perform High-Pressure Blasting/Surface Preparation

CT 7.4 Prepare Surface for Atmospheric Coating by Abrasive Blasting

CT 13.3 Prepare Surface for Coating by Abrasive Blasting

  • Apply Coating Using Spray Applications

CT 7.6 Apply Atmospheric Coating Using Spray Applications

CT 13.5 Apply Coating Using Spray Applications

 

 

Week Two

 

MONDAY

Pipeline Maintenance-Level 1

  • Preventing Pipeline Damage

CT 14 Place and Maintain Line Markers (All Subtasks Included)

CT 28 Provide Security for Pipeline Facilities

  • Excavating and Backfilling

CT 17 Provide Temporary Marking of Buried Pipeline Prior to Excavation (All Subtasks Included)

CT 39 Backfilling Trench Following Maintenance (No Subtasks)

Pipeline Maintenance-Level 2

  • Right-of-Way Inspection

CT 15 Inspect Surface Conditions of Right-of-Way (All Subtasks Included)

CT 16 Inspect Navigable Waterway Crossing (All Subtasks Included)

 

TUESDAY

Pipeline Maintenance-Level 2

  • Facility Inspection

CT 27 Inspection of Breakout Tanks (All Subtasks Included)

  • Valve Inspection

CT 20 Inspect Valves (All Subtasks Included)

  • Pipeline Coating Inspection

CT 5 Inspect Buried Pipe When Exposed (All Subtasks Included)

 

WEDNESDAY

Pipeline Maintenance-Level 2

  • Pipe Inspection and Nondestructive Testing

CT 38.1 Visually Inspect Pipe and Pipe Components

CT 38.2 Verify Non-destructive Weld Test

CT 38.3 Visually Inspect that Test Welds Meet DOT Requirements

  • Pipeline Maintenance

CT 18 Inspection Following Excavation Activities and Leak Survey after Blasting (All Subtasks Included)

CT 52 Leakage Survey (All Subtasks Included)

  • Hydrostatic Testing

CT 41 Conduct Pressure Test (No Subtasks)

 

THURSDAY

Pipeline Maintenance-Level 3

  • Pipeline Damage Inspection

CT 34 Inspect Existing Pipe Following Movement (No Subtasks)

CT 35 Measure Clearance from Existing Pipe to Underground Structures Installed by Excavation, Boring, Directional Drilling (No Subtasks)

  • Performing In-Line Inspections

CT 29 Launching/Receiving Inline Inspection Devices (All Subtasks Included)

  • Pipeline Repair

CT 9.5 Repair Shorted Casings

CT 37 Install or Repair Support Structures on Existing Above Ground Components (No Subtasks)

CT 40.1 Tight Fitting Sleeve

CT 40.2 Oversleeve

CT 40.3 Clock Spring

CT 40.4 Plidco Split Repair Sleeve

CT 40.5 Weld Plus Coupling

CT 40.7 Tapping a Pipeline 2” and Under

CT 40.91 Plugging the Pipeline with the Lock-o-Ring Completion Plug

  • Relocating and Lowering Pipelines

CT 33 Moving In-Service Pipe (All Subtasks Included)

CT 34 Inspect Existing Pipe Following Movement (No Subtasks)

 

FRIDAY

Pipeline Maintenance-Level 3

  • Hot Tapping and Stoppling-2.5” and Larger

CT 40.6 Stopple Fitting Preparation/Sandwich Valve Installation

CT 40.8 Tapping a Pipeline 2.5” and Larger

CT 40.9 Sealing the Pipeline with a Stopple Plugging Machine

CT 40.91 Plugging the Pipeline with the Lock-o-Ring Completion Plug

  • Maintenance Welding on Pipelines

CT 42 Maintenance Welding on Pipelines (All Subtasks Included)

  • Performing Pipeline Disconnection Procedures

CT 36 Abandoning, Safe Disconnect, Purging and Sealing of Pipeline Facilities (All Subtasks Included)

  • Vault Maintenance and Confined Space Entry

CT 59 Vault Maintenance (No Subtasks)

 

Week Three

 

MONDAY

Gas Pipeline Operations

  • Routine Field and Facility Operations

CT 43 Operations of a Pipeline System (All Subtasks Included)

CT 50 Purge Gas from a Pipeline (No Subtasks)

CT 51 Purge Air from a Pipeline (No Subtasks)

CT 54 Test Remote Control Shutdown Devices (No Subtasks)

CT 56 Perform Incremental Pressure Increases to Uprate MAOP (No Subtasks)

CT 57 Operate Odorant Equipment (No Subtasks)

CT 58 Monitor Odorant Level (No Subtasks)

  • Routine Control Center Operations

Covered Tasks are same as Routine Field and Facility Operations

  • Abnormal Operating Conditions

 

TUESDAY

Pipeline Mechanical-Level 1

  • Identify, Install, and Maintain Valves

CT 19.1 Valve Body Winterization or Corrosion Inhibition

CT 19.2 Valve Lubrication

CT 19.3 Valve Seat Sealing

CT 19.4 Valve Stem Packing Maintenance

Pipeline Mechanical-Level 2

  • Inspect and Repair Valves

CT 20 Inspect Valves (All Subtasks Included)

CT 21.2 Disassembly/re-assembly of Valve

CT 21.3 Internal Inspection of Valve

  • Maintain and Repair Pressure Limiting Devices and Relief Valves

CT 22 Inspect Tank Pressure/Vacuum Breakers and Inspect, Test and Calibrate HVL Tank Pressure Relief Valves (No Subtasks)

CT 23 Maintain and Repair Relief Valves and Pressure Limiting Devices (All Subtasks Included)

CT 24 Inspect, Test and Calibrate Pressure Limiting Devices and Relief Valves (No Subtasks)

Pipeline Mechanical-Level 3

  • Maintain, Troubleshoot, and Repair Pneumatic Valve, Actuators/Operators and Systems

CT 19.6 Actuator/Operator Adjustment, Pneumatic

CT 21.1 Repair Valve Actuator/Operator, Pneumatic

 

WEDNESDAY

Pipeline Mechanical-Level 3

  • Maintain, Troubleshoot, and Repair Hydraulic Valve Actuators/Operators and Systems

CT 19.7 Actuator/Operator Adjustment, Hydraulic

CT 21.4 Repair Valve Actuator/Operator, Hydraulic

  • Maintain, Troubleshoot, and Repair Electric Valve Actuators/Operators and Systems

CT 19.5 Actuator/Operator Adjustment, Electric

CT 21.5 Repair Valve Actuator/Operator, Electric

Pipeline Electrical and Instrumentation-Level 2

  • Switches and Transmitters

CT 25 Inspect, Test, and Calibrate Pressure Switches and Transmitters (All Subtasks Included)

CT 30 Test Overfill Protective Devices (No Subtasks)

CT 31 Inspect and Calibrate Overfill Protective Devices (No Subtasks)

  • Controllers

CT 26 Verify or Set Protection Parameters for Programmable Controllers and/or Other Instrumentation Control Loops (No Subtasks)

 

THURSDAY

Pipeline Electrical and Instrumentation-Level 2

  • Valve Actuators

CT 19.5 Actuator/Operator Adjustment, Electric

  • Product Measurement

CT 44 CPM Leak Detection (All Subtasks Included)

  • Analytical Equipment

CT 55 Maintain Fixed Gas Detection Equipment (No Subtasks)

 

FRIDAY

Liquid Pipeline Field Operations

  • Routine Field and Facility Operations

CT 43.1 Start-up of a Pipeline

CT 43.2 Shutdown of a Pipeline

CT 43.4 Manually or Remotely Open or Close Valves and Other Equipment

  • Monitoring Pipeline

CT 43.3 Monitor Pressures, Flows, Communications and Line Integrity and Maintain them within Allowable Limits

Liquid Pipeline Control Center Operations

  • Monitoring Pipeline Operations-Control Center

CT 43.3 Monitor Pressures, Flows, Communications and Line Integrity and Maintain them within Allowable Limits

  • Routine Control Center Operations

Covered Tasks are same as Liquid Routine Field and Facility Operations
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