49 CFR Part 192 Subpart N and Part 195 SubPart G require all individuals who operate and maintain pipeline facilities to be qualified and keep records of qualification. The purpose of this mandatory information collection request is to ensure compliance with the record keeping requirements prescribed in the federal pipeline safety regulations. Pipeline operators must make and maintain the records as described and have those records available for compliance inspection by PHMSA staff upon request. Examples of such records include the identification of qualified individuals; identification of covered tasks; dates of current qualification; and qualification methods. Records supporting an individual's current qualification shall be maintained while the individual is performing the covered task. Records of prior qualification and records of individuals no longer performing covered tasks shall be retained for a period of five years.
US Code:
49 USC 60102
Name of Law: Federal Pipeline Safety Laws
The Pipeline Safety: Unusually Sensitive Areas for the Great Lakes, Coastal Beaches, and Certain Coastal Waters IFR amended the pipeline safety regulations to explicitly state that certain coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and coastal beaches are classified as unusually sensitive areas for the purpose of compliance with pipeline safety regulations. PHMSA estimates that the new definitions for unusually sensitive areas in the Pipeline Safety: Unusually Sensitive Areas for the Great Lakes, Coastal Beaches, and Certain Coastal Waters IFR will require operators of rural gathering lines regulated under § 195.11 to keep records of qualification for 30 additional individuals. One-sixth of these new individuals will have to comply with this record keeping requirement annually. This results in an average annual burden increase of 5 responses and 1 hour per year over 3 years.
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.