Pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.11(c), OMB files this comment on this information collection request (ICR). In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is withholding approval at this time. The agency shall examine public comment in response to the NPRM and will include in the supporting statement of the next ICR--to be submitted to OMB at the final rule stage--a description of how the agency has responded to any public comments on the ICR, including comments on maximizing the practical utility of the collection and minimizing the burden.
Inventory as of this Action
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Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
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PHMSA proposes to revise the Federal pipeline safety regulations to address human factors and other components of control room management. The proposed rule would require operators of hazardous liquid pipelines, gas pipelines, and liquefied natural gas (LNG)to to assure controllers and control room management practices and procedures maintain pipeline safety and integrity. This proposed rule results from a PHMSA study of controllers and controller performance issues known as the Controller Certification Project (CCERT), a National Transportation Safety Board study, safety-related condition reports, operator visits and inspections, and inquiries. This rule would improve opportunities to reduce risk through more effective control of pipelines and require the human factors management plan mandated by the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006 (PIPES Act). These regulations would enhance pipeline safety by coupling strengthened control room management, including automated control systems, with improved controller training and qualifications and fatigue management. PHMSA expects these regulations will complement efforts already underway in the pipeline industry to address human factors and control room management, such as the development of new national consensus standards, including an American Petroleum Institute (API) recommended practices on roles and responsibilities, shift operations, management of change, fatigue management, alarm management and SCADA display standard, as well as comparable business practices at some pipeline companies.
US Code:
49 USC 60102
Name of Law: Federal Pipeline Safety Laws
PHMSA is proposing to require pipeline operators to keep records and logs related to control room operations for inspection purposes and to have a senior executive officer of each operator validate that the operator has complied with the regulatory requirements, reviewed its qualification and training, permitted only qualified controllers to operate the pipeline, addressed fatigue factors, and involved controllers in finding improvements. The record keeping requirements in the proposed rule are consistent with good business practices and are designed to enhance current control room management practices.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Control Room Management / Human Factors