1. Operator Qualification
Program Basics
June 2016
Welcome to Colonial Pipeline Company, America’s Energy Lifeline.
We deliver energy to America. Our focus on safety, system integrity, operational excellence and reliability provides exceptional value to our people, our customers, our communities and our owners.
We would like to take a few minutes to tell you about our Operator Qualification Program and how it may apply to you.

2. 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.
Welcome to Colonial Pipeline Company, America’s Energy Lifeline.
We deliver energy to America. Our focus on safety, system integrity, operational excellence and reliability provides exceptional value to our people, our customers, our communities and our owners.
We would like to take a few minutes to tell you about our Operator Qualification Program and how it may apply to you.

3. 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
In the 80’s and 90’s there were several pipeline incidents that were caused or exacerbated by human error . As a result of those incidents, the Department of Transportation sought action to prevent incidents of this nature. The actual Operator Qualification rule took effect in 2002.
The intent of the rule was to see that everyone performing critical tasks was qualified to do those tasks.
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4. 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.
The regulation has a few baseline requirements to ensure qualification. Seen in these slides are the basic tenets of the rule. The individual performing a covered task must demonstrate his/her ability to perform the task and also be able to recognize and react to any abnormal condition that may arise during performance of the task.
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5. Operator Qualification
Rule requires that pipeline operators have in place a program that makes provisions to:
identify covered tasks,
ensure through evaluation that individual's performing covered tasks are qualified,
allow individuals that are not qualified to perform a covered task if directed and observed by an individual that is qualified,
As a pipeline operator Colonial has the responsibility to comply with the rule by identifying our covered tasks, ensuring individuals are qualified to perform those tasks, and making provisions for those not qualified to be properly supervised or directed by someone who is qualified.
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6. Operator Qualification
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,
evaluate an individual if the operator has reason to believe that the individual is no longer qualified to perform a covered task,
communicate changes that affect covered tasks to individuals performing those covered tasks and
identify those covered tasks and the intervals at which evaluation of the individual's qualifications is needed
Colonial also has the responsibility to suspend someone’s qualifications or provide retraining if there is reason to believe an individual is not qualified, either by lack of performance, infrequent performance, or a change in the task.
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7. 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.
The bottom line is the need for documented qualification based on a sound program. If there is no documented qualification to perform a ‘covered task’ then the individual is not qualified.
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8. 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)
Colonial is required to comply with the OQ regulation. Our Compliance Team maintains the program and participates in industry groups to help keep up with changes in the regulation and related applications.
An oversight committee reviews the program and its administration by reviewing audits and verifications and regulatory reports.
Training Services tracks employee qualifications and documentation.
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9. 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
A Colonial manager or an inspector or other work site supervisor bears the responsibility of verifying that tasks which require qualification (covered tasks) are performed by qualified people.
Colonial employees are listed in the Colonial Learning Management University system while contractor employees are listed in IS Networld. Qualification documentation should be on the job site per the OQ Program.
The Colonial OQ Program is located on the Colonial intranet system under ‘Manuals’ and also on the IS Networld website.
The OQ Program does allow for non-qualified persons to perform covered tasks if directly observed by a qualified person. However, this does not mean one person can be qualified for an entire crew. The important thing to remember is that if an unqualified individual is performing a covered task, the person observing must be in close proximity and able to take over the task should an abnormal condition occur.
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10. Direct Observation
Direct Observation span of control requirements are listed in Appendix A 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.
Each covered task is listed in the OQ Program and Direct Observation Limitations are listed. This provides any limitations to direct observation by a qualified person. In most cases there is no limitation and direct observation can be used by qualified people. However some tasks do not allow direct observations such as maintenance welding. Please see the task list for details.
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11. OQ Program components Purpose Scope Covered task lists
The OQ Program contains the following items:
Purpose
Scope
Covered task lists
Qualification methods
Task standards
Direct observation guidelines
Glossary of terms
Should you wish to learn more about Colonial’s OQ Program, it can be found on line. The program consists of the purpose and scope to help establish the overall objectives of the program. Also included are the task lists, qualification methods, the task standards, observation guidelines and definitions of terms.
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12. OQ Program
See Operator Qualification Program under Manuals on the Colonial homepage.
Also located in ISNetworld, an online database for owner companies and contractors
For Colonial employees or contractors that have access to the Colonial homepage, the program can be found under ‘Manuals’, by clicking on ‘Operator Qualification Program’.
For other contractors or employees wishing to see the program without going through the Colonial IT firewall, you may go to the IS Networld site at
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13. OQ Program For more information contact:
Michael Burnette, Technical Training
Or a local Colonial representative.
Question about the program or how it may apply to you can be sent to Craig Watson in Training Services.
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