Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration August 11, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issues this advisory bulletin to owners and operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines and liquefied natural gas facilities. The purpose of this advisory is to help operators ensure that controllers are not assigned to shift duties while fatigued, to advise pipeline operators on considerations which could cause a reduction of mental alertness or decision making ability, and to encourage safe management practices. This advisory also responds to the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) Safety Recommendation P-98-30, which urges PHMSA to establish industry guidelines for pipeline controller work schedules to reduce the likelihood of accidents attributable to controller fatigue.

This notice requests public participation in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval process regarding the renewal of an existing PHMSA/Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) collection of information for Operator Qualification of Pipeline Personnel. PHMSA is requesting OMB approval for renewal of this information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR part 1320. The public is invited to submit comments over the next 60 days on ways to minimize the burden associated with collection of information related to the pipeline safety reports of abandoned underwater pipelines