Implementing damage prevention programs is top of mind for many in the gas and oil pipeline industry. From the safety of employees to environmental concerns to anticipated regulation changes, our clients and contacts in the industry see plenty of upsides for being on the cutting edge of these programs.  As part of this overall awareness of damage prevention programs, ITS recently partnered with the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) to develop a comprehensive Pipeline Safety Management System (PSMS) course available through the OnBoard LMS. Here are four observations on how to ensure the...

The natural gas industry is focused on the latest Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) and the PHMSA GPAC meetingsdiscussing the finer details of what is expected to be required in a Final Rule. These meetings gather industry, government, and private sector interests to recommend regulatory language for PHMSA’s final rule.  While nothing is settled yet, many operators are proactively planning for the increased scrutiny of their leak detection standards. Here are a few guidelines we’ve found most helpful in our discussions with Subject Matter Experts and gas...

The ITS Enhanced 192 and 195 series have been leading industry standards for Operator Qualification training for the pipeline industry. Yet, a pipeline operator often requires customized training materials for specific tasks that go beyond a standard program.  PHMSA places the responsibility for modifying an OQ program on pipeline operators, but ITS can provide vital support through developing customized training content.  Why does it make sense to work with ITS on custom training content? Here are a few reasons:Customized detail and complexity for specific tasks  Precisely match procedures...

Warren Miller’s 3 Tips for Stress Free Audits   We can’t think of anyone in any industry who looks forward to an audit. Yet, with the expertise of Warren Miller, the ITS Compliance Specialist and former PHMSA regulator, you can prepare for audits with confidence and alleviate the stress that many feel when receiving an audit notice.  Tip 1: Nail Down the Essentials  Preparing for a stress-free audit begins with nailing down the most important details so that you know how to focus your time:  Who is inspecting?   What do they need to see during the audit? Records, facilities, or...

When we talk to pipeline foremen and OQ managers, they often mention there’s no simple way to track in the field who can perform OQ tasks under the span of control of a qualified supervisor.  The ITS OnBoard Learning Management System makes it easy to track fully trained and qualified individuals for pipeline tasks and to assign specific projects to a group of workers with the appropriate span of control requirements.  Combining ITS Verify with OnBoard data makes it possible to customize span of control requirements and then access them on a mobile device through the Verify app.  Here’s how...

When the staff at ITS speak with our clients and colleagues in the pipeline industry, we regularly hear about the steps they’re taking to improve safety for their workforce and customers.   The release of a new Pipeline Safety Management System computer-based training series in the ITS LMS is the perfect time to share some of our favorite tips for improving your safety responses.     Choose the Right Words for a Pipeline Safety Culture   Building a safety culture requires developing a shared sense of success or failure. When a...