Pipeline Safety

The safe transportation of hazardous materials to facilities and consumers is a valid concern today as we see more pipelines being built and more hazardous material transportation in these pipelines. To ensure these pipelines are a minimum threat to people and the environment, regulations have to be followed and continually developed to ensure the safe classification, handling and packing of these hazardous materials. In the United States, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is in charge of the design, construction, operation, maintenance and spill response planning for some 2.6 miles of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. This paper will discuss some of the pipeline regulations in the US, safety incidents that have occurred from pipelines, and new pipeline safety and routing concerns. Also, information will be presented in regards to whether PHMSA will apply the integrity management program (IMP) requirements, or some elements of IMP, to areas beyond current high consequence areas (HCAs).