PANEL 1

1

• PANEL 1
• Shift Operations
• And
• Fatigue

2
PANEL 1Shift Operations

• The exchange of information between controllers
  at shift change is critical
• Operators need to establish what information
  needs to be discussed during shift change
• Operators should have formalized procedures to
  guide shift change practices

3
PANEL 1Fatigue

• Operators need to be aware of the potential for
  fatigue and have mitigation strategies in place
• Shift rotation schedules, shift length, and hours
  of service can have an impact on Controller
  fatigue and should be evaluated and reviewed
• Operators should regulate controller shifts and
  provide periodic training on fatigue issues

4
PANEL 1Fatigue and the NTSB

• NTSB recommended that PHMSA address human factors
  by establishing scientifically based hours of
  service regulations that set limits on hours of
  service, provide predictable work and rest
  schedules, and consider circadian rhythms and
  human sleep and rest requirements
• NTSB recommended that PHMSA assess the potential
  safety risks associated with rotating pipeline
  controller shifts and establish industry
  guidelines for the development and implementation
  of pipeline controller work schedules to reduce
  the likelihood of accidents attributable to
  controller fatigue.
• In response, PHMSA issued Advisory Bulletin
  ADB-05-06, Countermeasures to Prevent Human
  Fatigue in the Control Room

5
PANEL 1Shift Operations and Fatigue

• What roles do shift change procedures have in
  averting the development of abnormal and
  emergency situations?
• Do existing shift rotation schedules, shift
  length, and limiting hours of service help to
  alleviate the potential for fatigue?
• What should be done regarding controller work
  hour limitations?
• Should we be concerned about employees non-work
  hours that contribute to fatigue?
• Should PHMSA modify its reporting criteria on
  accident causes to reflect controller issues? If
  so, what areas should we address?

6

• PANEL 2
• Management of Change
• and
• Effectiveness of
• Pipeline Control Room
• Operations

7
PANEL 2 Management of Change

• Operators should establish programs to
• periodically audit field data points with SCADA
  displays
• ensure that controller training, qualifications
  and duties are accounted for during
  organizational changes
• include consultation with controllers when
  considering pipeline hydraulic, SCADA or
  configuration changes
• track expedient resolution of controller-
  oriented changes and repairs

8
PANEL 2Effectiveness of Pipeline Control Room
Operations

• Controllers should promptly communicate with
  other operators when addressing 800 calls in
  shared corridors
• Great care must be applied when Controllers share
  monitoring responsibilities
• Operators should ensure Controller vigilance,
  especially when operating with one Controller on
  shift
• Operators can further promote Controller success
  by considering the Controllers physical working
  environment
• Operators need to provide clear direction to
  controllers regarding authority and
  responsibility

9
PANEL 2Management of Change and Effectiveness of
Pipeline Control Room Operations

• When changes occur in the operating environment
  affecting controllers, how do we ensure those
  changes are fully addressed and conveyed to
  controllers?
• Do operators clearly communicate authority and
  responsibility expectations to their controllers?

10

• PANEL 3
• Alarms, Displays and
• Access Control

11
PANEL 3Alarms, Displays and Access Control

• Operators should review alarm and event logs to
  determine systemic problems, eliminate nuisance
  alarms and prevent excessive alarms
• Operators should follow appropriate sections of
  API-RP1165 for display guidance
• Controllers should clearly understand displayed
  information and what specific alarms and event
  displays indicate
• Operators should routinely review alarm
  configurations and event displays to identify the
  need for revisions and recognize abnormal
  operating conditions frequently occurring
  together or in succession.
• Operators should have a process in place to
  periodically review a controllers workload to
  determine if assistance or revisions are required
• Individual user log-ins promote responsibility
  and ownership
• Operators should have measures in place to
  protect against unauthorized access to SCADA
  control consoles
• Operators should perform background checks on
  Controllers

12
PANEL 3Alarms/Displays/Access Control

• How significant are alarm parameters, alarm
  management, and the periodic review of alarms to
  pipeline safety and integrity?
• What impacts do alarm descriptors, display
  parameters, and the use of color have on
  providing concise operational information to
  controllers?
• Are additional measures needed to secure access
  to SCADA systems?

13

• PANEL 4
• Monitoring Performance,
• Qualification of Personnel, Maintaining
  Personnel Qualifications,
• and
• Managing Operating
• Conditions

14
PANEL 4Monitoring Performance

• Operators should periodically verify that
  controllers have adequate color perception,
  eyesight, and hearing
• Operators should review Controller performance on
  an ongoing basis and should have performance
  metrics in place

15
PANEL 4Qualification of Personnel

• Operators should incorporate tabletop exercises
  and/or computerized simulations
• Operators should ensure training accounts for the
  importance of a controllers thorough knowledge
  of the pipelines hydraulic properties,
  especially during the development of abnormal
  operating conditions
• Operators should implement field site visits for
  controllers to enhance their understanding of
  site-specific issues and emergency response
  options

16
PANEL 4Qualification of Personnel

• Operators would benefit by adding pre-screening
  tools for multi-tasking and math functions to the
  Controllers selection process
• Operators should verify that their oral component
  of On-The-Job training is documented and
  formalized
• Controllers who answer 800 calls from
  stakeholders should receive training regarding
  how to respond in the event of an emergency and
  what information should be provided to the public
  and emergency responders as a result of RP1162

17
PANEL 4Maintaining Personnel Qualifications

• Operators should substantiate re-qualification
  intervals for controllers
• An annual review of qualification program content
  for controllers should be performed
• Operators programs should provide guidance to
  determine when a controller should
• Get refresher training
• Receive additional training
• Be disqualified
• Be re-qualified after long absences

18
PANEL 4Managing Operating Conditions

• Controller skills should be enhanced for response
  actions, related to abnormal and emergency
  conditions
• Training needs to include combinations of
  abnormal operating conditions whose indicators
  and response actions may be different than for
  individually occurring events
• Operators should ensure that Controllers are
  aware of AOCs that occur specific to OQ tasks
• Operators should use their operating experience
  to identify and refine training for abnormal
  operating condition recognition and response

19
PANEL 4Monitoring Performance

• What practical techniques can be used to track
  ongoing performance and monitor for performance
  degradation over time?
• How would a pipeline operator determine and test
  for adequate color perception, eyesight, and
  hearing?

20
PANEL 4 Qualification of Personnel

• How can computer-based simulator training and
  tabletop exercises enhance controller skills?
• What are the benefits of training controllers on
  specific pipeline hydraulic parameters and
  response to various abnormal operating
  conditions?
• What value can controllers get from facility
  visits and site-specific emergency issues?

21
PANEL 4 Maintaining Personnel Qualifications

• What process best serves to validate
  controllers skills and knowledge?
• What forms of justification are adequate to
  substantiate re-qualification intervals?
• Should the operator qualification process
  include documentation of revocation and
  restoration criteria?

22
PANEL 4 Managing Operating Conditions

• How can we better identify and train operators to
  handle abnormal operating events?
• What roles can operational events play in
  identifying emergency operating conditions?
• How do we plan for and identify multiple
  contributing causes/factors when incidents and
  accidents occur?
• What role do controllers have in reacting and
  responding to incidents/accidents?

23
Path Forward

• PHMSA believes many of these findings apply to
  both hazardous liquid and natural gas pipeline
  operators
• The path forward may include some of the
  following options public workshop discussions,
  reinforcement of existing regulations, consensus
  standards development, advisory bulletins, alert
  notices, revised inspection guidance,
  accident/incident form revisions, enhancements to
  PHMSA incident/accident inspector training, SCADA
  inspections, and/or rulemaking

24
Path Forward

• Which of these recommendations should apply
  to both hazardous liquid and natural gas pipeline
  operators?
• What areas should we focus on in addressing
  the NTSB recommendations and CCERT Project
  findings?
• What findings need regulatory action, if any?
  
• Are there other types of actions needed, such
  as consensus standards or advisories?