Municipal Utilities Criticize 'Human Factors' Pipeline Safety Rule for Disregarding Unique Nature of Public Systems

摘要

Municipal natural gas distributors are disappointed in a Final Rule issued 12/3/09 by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on "Pipeline Safety: Control Room Management/Human Factors." The target is pipelines with controllers who use computer-based supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems that record and display pipeline operational information such as pressures, flow rates, and valve positions. The new regulations will apply human factors management, as required by statute, and enhance pipeline safety "by coupling strengthened control room management with improved controller training and fatigue management," the agency said. The rule is effective 2/1/10, operators must develop control room management procedures by 8/1/11, and they must implement such procedures by 2/1/12.