PHMSA Rule Now Effective: Rule Summary
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published the final rule: 49 CFR Parts 192 and 195 Pipeline Safety: Control Room Management/Human Factors in December of 2009.
It applies to hazardous liquid pipelines that have at least one controller and control room. Gas pipeline operators, such that each control room whose operations are limited to either or both of distribution with fewer than 250,000 customers or gas transmission without compressor stations, must follow procedures with appropriate documentation that implement only the requirements for fatigue management, validation, and compliance and deviations.
Control Room Management Summary
The rule requires pipeline operators to have and follow written control room management procedures. The operators must define the roles and responsibilities of controllers in normal, abnormal, and emergency operating situations. The final rule leaves the scope of controller responsibilities to be defined by each pipeline operator taking into consideration the characteristics of its pipeline and its methods of safely managing pipeline operation.