99-14079. Qualification of Pipeline Personnel

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 106 (Thursday, June 3, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 29834]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14079]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Parts 192 and 195

[Docket No. RSPA-98-3783]
RIN 2137-AB38


Qualification of Pipeline Personnel

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability of draft environmental assessment.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would require pipeline operators to develop 
and maintain a written qualification program for individuals performing 
covered tasks on pipeline facilities. The intent of the rule is to 
ensure a qualified workforce and reduce the probability and 
consequences of incidents caused by human error. A draft environmental 
assessment of this proposed rule is available in the docket.

DATES: Interested persons may submit written comments on the Draft 
Environmental Assessment until July 6, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments in duplicate to Dockets Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001. Identify the docket and notice number stated 
in the heading of this notice. Persons should send the original plus 
one (1) copy. Comments may be filed electronically by e-mail at 
[e-mail]. All comments and docketed material will be 
available for inspection and copying at the Dockets Facility between 
8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. each business day. Comments can also be reviewed 
over the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marvin Fell at [phone] or by e-
mail at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Although no regulatory program is capable of 
completely eliminating human error, the objective of this proposed rule 
is to reduce the risk of accidents on pipeline facilities attributable 
to human error. In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published 
October 27, 1998 (63 FR 57269), RSPA proposed to require pipeline 
operators to develop and maintain a written qualification program for 
individuals performing covered tasks. This proposed rule for 
qualification of individuals is intended to provide additional levels 
of safety. The proposed rule would require operators of pipelines to 
develop a qualification program to evaluate an individual's ability to 
perform covered tasks and to recognize and react to abnormal operating 
conditions that may occur while performing covered tasks.
    We have analyzed the proposed rule for purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The proposed 
rule should not significantly impact the environment. It should provide 
some improvement to the environment by reducing the probability and 
consequences of incidents on pipelines caused by human error. 
Therefore, we have determined that the proposed rule would not 
significantly affect the quality of the human environment. A draft 
environmental assessment document is available for review in the 
docket.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 26, 1999.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 99-14079 Filed 6-2-99; 8:45 am]
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