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DOT/PHMSA

RIN: 2137-AE28

Publication ID: Fall 2009

Title: Pipeline Safety: Control Room Management/Human Factors
Abstract: This rulemaking would require operators of natural gas pipelines, hazardous liquid pipelines, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, to identify and employ specific procedures to improve control room operations, controller training, and controller qualifications. It would require operators to develop, implement, and submit to PHMSA (or the appropriate State), a human factors management plan designed to reduce risks associated with human factors. This would require operators to include in their plans a maximum limit on the hours of service for individuals employed as controllers. It would also require operators to periodically review their management of computer-based control system alarms and to verify that the control systems provide accurate and timely information to controllers. This rulemaking would further require each operator to validate the implementation of the program elements applicable to their individual control system.
Agency: Department of Transportation(DOT)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 49 CFR 192 49 CFR 193 49 CFR 195
Legal Authority: 49 USC 60137

Legal Deadline:

Action	Source	Description	Date
NPRM	Statutory	PIPES Act requires PHMSA to issue regulations requiring each operator of a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline to develop, implement, and submit a human factors management plan.	06/01/2008

Overall Description of Deadline: Sec. 12 of the PIPES Act, 49 U.S.C. 60137, requires PHMSA to issue regs by June 1, 2008, requiring each operator of a gas or hazardous liquid pipeline to develop, implement, and submit a human factors management plan. The PIPES Act requires PHMSA to review, approve, and enforce the plans; and it requires each pipeline operator to document and report any deviations from compliance with its individual plan. Sec. 19 of the PIPES Act requires PHMSA to issue regs that implement 3 NTSB recommendation.

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	09/12/2008	73 FR 53076
NPRM Comment Period End	11/12/2008
Final Rule	12/00/2009

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
RIN Information URL: www.regulations.gov	Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: Wayne T. Lemoi Transportation Specialist Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 233 Peachtree Street, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone:404 832-1160 Fax:404 832-1169 Email: wayne.lemoi@dot.gov