[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 7168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3453]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA)

[Docket No. RSPA-03-14448; Notice 2]


Pipeline Safety: Qualification of Pipeline Personnel

AGENCY: Office of Pipeline Safety, Research and Special Programs 
Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Research and Special Programs Administration's (RSPA) 
Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) will conduct a public meeting to 
discuss progress in implementing the operator qualification (OQ) rule 
for gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. OPS will continue to develop 
the protocols and guidance materials, and provide an opportunity for 
public comment. A panel of experts will address technical issues 
associated with protocols and related materials. A record of the 
previous public meeting on Qualification of Pipeline Personnel that was 
held in San Antonio, TX, is available in this docket (RSPA-03-14448).

DATES: The public meeting will be held on February 25, 26, and 27, 
2003, beginning at 9 a.m. and will continue until 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Hyatt Regency Houston 
Airport Hotel, 15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Houston, TX 77032 (Tel: 
800-233-1234); Fax: 281-590-8461; Web: www.houstonairport.hyatt.com. 
This meeting is free and open to the public. You may register 
electronically for this meeting at: http://primis.rspa.dot.gov/meetings. The deadline for making a hotel reservation is February 17, 
2003.
    The program will address the 13 issues generated by the first 
public meeting held in January 2003, and will be open for technical 
input. This will include presentations on definitions of terms 
discussed at the last meeting. Persons wishing to make a presentation 
or statement at the meeting should notify Janice Morgan, (202) 366-
2392, no later than February 19, 2003.
    Although we encourage persons wishing to comment on operator 
qualification and inspection protocols to participate in the public 
meeting, written comments will be accepted. You may submit written 
comments on operator qualification and inspection issues by mail or 
delivery to the Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. The 
dockets facility is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except on Federal holidays. You should submit the original and one 
copy. Anyone who wants confirmation of receipt of their comments must 
include a stamped, self-addressed postcard. You may also submit 
comments to the docket electronically. To do so, log on to the Internet 
Web address http://dms.dot.gov. and click on ``Help'' for instructions 
on electronic filing of comments. All written comments should identify 
the docket number RSPA-03-14448; Notice 2.
    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comments (or signing the comments, if submitted on 
behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review 
the U.S. Department of Transportation's complete Privacy Act Statement 
in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), 
or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You may contact Richard Sanders at 
(405) 954-7214 or (405) 954-7219, regarding the agenda of this public 
meeting. General information about OPS programs may be obtained by 
accessing OPS's Internet home page at http://ops.dot.gov.
    Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities: For 
information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities 
or to request special assistance, contact Janice Morgan, (202) 366-
2392.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The operator qualification rules at 49 CFR 
192.801 (for gas pipelines) and at 49 CFR 195.501 (for hazardous liquid 
pipelines) require every pipeline operator to have and follow a written 
qualification program that includes provisions to identify covered 
tasks and to ensure that all persons performing these tasks are 
qualified. By October 28, 2002, all gas and hazardous liquid pipeline 
operators should have completed the qualification of all individuals 
performing covered tasks on pipeline facilities.
    On February 25, 26, and 27, 2003, OPS will conduct a public meeting 
to discuss progress in implementing the operator qualification rule for 
gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. OPS will present a detailed review 
of the development of the operator qualification inspection protocols. 
The meeting will focus on areas considered high priority and discussion 
on compliance issues from Federal and State pipeline safety personnel. 
These issues, as identified at a previous public meeting on January 22, 
2003, in San Antonio, TX, are as follows:
    (1) Scope of operator qualification;
    (2) Evaluation of knowledge, skills, and physical ability;
    (3) Re-evaluation intervals;
    (4) Maintenance versus new construction;
    (5) Treatment of emergency response;
    (6) Additional covered tasks;
    (7) Extent of documentation;
    (8) Abnormal operating conditions;
    (9) Treatment of training;
    (10) Criteria for small operators;
    (11) Direction and observation of non-qualified people;
    (12) Noteworthy practices;
    (13) Persons contributing to an incident or accident.
    All persons attending the meeting will have an opportunity to 
comment on operator qualification compliance issues and to question the 
expert panel on the new operator qualification compliance protocols.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on February 6, 2003.
James K. O'Steen,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 03-3453 Filed 2-11-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P