Operator Qualification Program Basics

Operator Qualification This presentation on Colonial Pipeline’s Operator Qualification program is accompanied by an audio narration. To play the audio, click the “Play Audio” box at the bottom of each slide. This presentation on Colonial Pipeline’s Operator Qualification program is accompanied by an audio narration. To play the audio, click the “Play Audio” box at the bottom of each slide.

Operator Qualification Created in response to incident investigations whereby operator actions caused an incident or contributed to severity of an incident Originally implemented in 2002 with enhancements periodically Play Audio

Operator Qualification Operator qualification is: 1)a process by which an individual’s ability to perform a covered task is measured; 2)and a validation of an individual’s ability to recognize and react to abnormal operating conditions that may occur while performing such covered task. Play Audio

Operator Qualification Rule requires that pipeline operators have in place a program that makes provisions to: a)identify covered tasks, b)ensure through evaluation that individual's performing covered tasks are qualified, c)allow individuals that are not qualified to perform a covered task if directed and observed by an individual that is qualified, Play Audio

d)evaluate an individual if the operator has reason to believe that the individual’s performance of a covered task contributed to an accident as defined in the CFR, e)evaluate an individual if the operator has reason to believe that the individual is no longer qualified to perform a covered task, f)communicate changes that affect covered tasks to individuals performing those covered tasks and g)identify those covered tasks and the intervals at which evaluation of the individual's qualifications is needed Operator Qualification Play Audio

Simply stated By regulation no Colonial employee or contractor may perform a covered task on a pipeline unless the company has evidence that the person is qualified to perform that task or is accompanied and directly observed by a qualified person. Play Audio

Corporate responsibilities Maintain OQ Program ◦Monitor regulatory changes ◦Conduct OQ Committee oversight Annual review of program and compliance Track qualifications by individual Communicate program status and responsibilities Stay abreast of industry changes (API) Play Audio

Manager/ Work Site Supervisor Responsibilities Verify individuals performing OQ covered tasks are qualified Verify if not qualified, direct observation is within guidelines of OQ Program Verify proper documentation is available Be familiar with OQ Program to answer questions Play Audio

Direct Observation Direct Observation span of control requirements are listed in Appendix B of the OQ Program. The purpose of this provision is to allow for training and in some cases one qualified person to oversee others not yet qualified. This provision is NOT to allow one qualified person to oversee an entire project. Play Audio

OQ Program components The OQ Program contains the following items: Purpose Scope Covered task lists Qualification methods Task standards Direct observation guidelines Glossary of terms Play Audio

OQ Program See Operator Qualification Program under Manuals on the Colonial homepage. Also located in ISNetworld, an online database for owner companies and contractors Play Audio

OQ Program For more information contact: Craig Watson, Training Services Leader Or a local Colonial representative. Play Audio