How to Survive an Inspection

1
How to Survive an Inspection
2
Questions

• What type of inspection is being conducted?
• Will there be field evaluations involved?
• What type of information will be reviewed?
• At what location will the inspection occur?
• How long will the inspection be?
• When will the inspection occur?

3
TYPES of Inspections

• Review of records for specific compliance issues
• Review of specific pipeline facilities
• Review of specific circumstances related to
  design, installation, operations or maintenance

4
Field Evaluations

• Conducted by regulators to verify actual
  compliance to the regulations and company
  procedures.
• Regulators have an opportunity to evaluate the
  operators skill and ability to conduct tests in
  the field.
• Operator needs to be able to do the tests that
  are expected to be conducted to show compliance
  to the regulation.

5
Location of Inspection

• When there are multiple work sites determine the
  locations that the inspection will be conducted.
• Try to make sure the location is in the same area
  as the records and field evaluations.
• If records are kept at outlying sites make an
  effort to either get the records or schedule an
  inspection for that location.

6
When How Long?

• Know the date and time frame for the inspection.
• Know when you are needed or people that you
  supervise are needed.
• Determine the extent of this involvement
• Schedule adequate time for the inspection
• Add time for the unexpected!

7
Once the Questions are Answered

• Try to access a copy of the inspection form to be
  used in the inspection
• Review any similar inspection forms from past
  inspections conducted.
• Dont be afraid to prepare for obvious questions.
• Dont try to change any deficiencies that cannot
  be corrected.

8
Things to do During the Inspection

• Provide the records in the proper format for the
  company
• Provide the records requested during the
  inspection
• Allow time for unexpected requests
• If the information is not in the format of the
  request can it be put in that format
• What would be the time frame for getting the
  information into that format.

9
How to handle the Inspector

• Inspectors vary in personality and expertise just
  like the operating personnel
• Respect and Understanding go a long way for both
  parties.
• There will be disagreements within the framework
  of the inspection process.
• The disagreements can stem from personal
  preference to interpretation of information

10
After the Inspection is Completed

• Determine the need for additional information.
• Determine if there were deficiencies that need to
  be corrected.
• Provide a means and time frame for correction or
  the reason the deficiency does not apply.
• Notify additional company personnel of the
  concerns.

11
Conclusion

• Do not be intimidated by an inspection or
  inspector.
• Every one worries about inspection prior to the
  inspection
• Show the work you actually perform and be open to
  new ideas
• Discuss in detail any suggestions made by the
  inspector
• Determine if suggestions can help your operation
  and make changes only when improvements are
  beneficial.