CHAPTER VII
OPERATOR QUALIFICATION

All operators of jurisdictional LP gas systems must have a written operator qualification program in place by April 27, 2001. By October 28, 2002, all employees performing covered tasks must be qualified to meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 192, Subpart N of the federal pipeline safety regulations.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

It is the responsibility of the operator to:

• Identify covered tasks
• Determine who must be qualified
• Determine the method of qualification
• Determine re-qualification procedures
• Keep records

COVERED TASK

A covered task is an activity identified by the operator that fulfills all of the following four characteristics:

• Is performed on a pipeline facility.
• Is an operations or maintenance task (Note: This includes an emergency response task.).
• Is performed as a requirement of 49 CFR Part 192 of the federal pipeline safety regulations.
• Affects the operation or integrity of the pipeline.

OPERATOR QUALIFICATION PROGRAM

The written qualification program must include provisions to:

Identify covered tasks.

Ensure that individuals are qualified.

Allow unqualified individuals to perform a covered task while under the observation of a qualified individual.

Evaluate the individual’s qualifications in the event of an incident.

Evaluate the individual if there is reason to believe that the individual is no longer qualified.

Inform the qualified individual of any changes affecting the covered task.

Determine intervals for re-qualification.

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Chapter VII – 11/30/2000

RECORDKEEPING

Qualification records must be maintained as long as the individual is performing the covered task. Records of individuals no longer performing a covered task must be kept for five years.

Records must include:

Identification of qualified individuals.

Covered tasks the individual is qualified to perform.

Date of current qualification.

Qualification method.

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