AGA’s board has approved a resolution on PSMS adoption
Even as more natural gas utilities today are adopting Pipeline Safety Management Systems, the American Gas Association Board of Directors recently approved a resolution recommending that all members implement PSMS.
“We never stop searching for new and innovative ways to enhance the safety of the natural gas delivery network,” said AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert. “Safety is at the very core of what we do, and Pipeline Safety Management Systems are yet another way that America’s natural gas utilities go above and beyond to protect our employees, customers and the communities that we serve.”
PSMS follows the tenets of American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 1173, which is a holistic approach to improving pipeline safety that includes the identification, prevention and remediation of safety hazards.
The basis of PSMS is a “plan-do-check-act” cycle that determines specific steps for operators to evaluate and enact changes or improvements within 10 specific elements, including:
At the heart of PSMS is a safety culture where employees feel comfortable reporting issues, without fear of repercussions, and where consistent self-evaluation helps identify top-priority risks, along with steps to reduce these risks in an effort to prevent incidents from occurring.
To assist member utilities in developing PSMS, AGA has created a PSMS Discussion Group and will continue to hold an annual PSMS workshop. It has also published Guidelines for Understanding Pipeline Safety Management Systems. AGA plans to continue to work with other industry stakeholders to develop additional tools to help members implement PSMS and evaluate their current programs against the full requirements of PSMS.
It’s important to note that data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shows that natural gas pipeline incidents have continued to decline over the past 20 years. Between 2014 and 2018, excavation damage caused by third parties and outside forces, such as vehicular damage, were the leading causes of serious incidents on distribution systems.
“AGA works closely with the Distribution Contractors Association, Common Ground Alliance and other industry allies and strongly supports enforcement of the 811, Call Before You Dig, program,” AGA said in a news release. “Additionally, AGA advocates for the reduction of excavator exemptions within state damage prevention laws, with a focus on reducing the number of natural gas safety incidents to zero. AGA also tracks employee safety data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and vehicular safety data.”
The association’s board of directors announced the recommendation at its spring meeting.