Underground Construction - July 2017 - 16

Annual DCA/AGA Joint Workshop
People-related elements - Panelists
said the task force first looked at
the people needed to provide OQ,
namely evaluators, trainers, proctors, those involved with considering program effectiveness, and
third-party entities. A standard
set of credentials is needed for
each, including required training,
education and experience for each
job function. The subject of using
in-house or third-party personnel was discussed at length. While
there should be flexibility in these
choices, it was agreed that a standard set of credentials should be
required of both.
Process elements - A fundamental
part of the OQ process is identifying covered tasks subject to
OQ requirements. The task force
agreed to use the ASME B31Q
standard and related covered task
list as a starting point, and based
on a survey of DCA contractors, 65
most-used tasks under B31Q were
selected for consideration.
Ensuring a process of evaluating
knowledge tests against common
core competencies is critical. The
integrity of OQ testing has increasingly come into question and setting parameters for written tests is
now a critical part of the process.
Performance evaluations are also
key to the OQ process. Finally,
processes related to management
of change (MOC), including effective communication of all changes,
must be developed. MOC must include appropriate documentation
and record keeping.
Program validation elements - The
key to program validation is effective record keeping and documentation, and a process for communicating information between OQ
providers, operators and contractors is needed to maintain records
on qualifications, disqualifications
and suspended qualifications, as
well as approved trainers, evaluators and proctors.
Internal audits must include a
process for regular inspection of
OQ records with the goal of continuous improvement in mind. For
independent, third-party audits,

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Above: The controversial Gold Shovel Standard was the subject of this panel.
Below: Workforce capacity challenges was discussed by this panel.

parameters must be set by the
operator or its designee, including
frequency of record inspections,
and a process for sharing program
information and recommendations between the auditor and
contractor.

Pipeline safety chief
provides insight
Alan Mayberry, associate administrator of pipeline safety at the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA),
provided a keynote presentation, starting out by commending workshop participants for the
work they do and the cooperative
spirit that is fostered by industry
events like this. Mayberry said
that although times are somewhat
uncertain with the new Trump
Administration and Congress,
and conflicting ideas about what
exactly their marching orders are,
PHMSA continues to work to get
remaining rule makings out the
door while implementing new initiatives to enhance pipeline safety
around the country.
Pointing out that infrastructure
growth is a hot topic in the new
administration, he said, "We have
to make sure it's done safely - you
have a huge role in that." Mayberry
went on to report that gas distribution is the largest pipeline sector
under PHMSA jurisdiction, with
2.1 million miles of mains and services, reflecting 80 percent of pipeline miles regulated by the agency.

There is a recurring focus on
pipeline SMS, something that
Mayberry himself takes very seriously. There is an SMS working
group to develop key metrics, with
close attention to API 1173, the
industry standard that addresses
all necessary elements of an effective SMS.
Interestingly, Mayberry pointed
to the pending final rule on plastic
pipe, noting "That's a good rule
with good things." Calling it a "deregulatory action," he said the rule
"advances technologies, higher design factor for polyethylene," and
that he hopes it will be finalized
this year.
Mayberry elaborated on the importance of SMS, saying it is centered around safety leadership and
all levels of a company, fostering
and requiring continuous improvement. PHMSA will be looking to
operators and contractors to participate in efforts to help enhance
SMS in the distribution industry.

Training in today's
distribution market
A diverse panel of operators and
contractors, along with equipment,
pipe and locating manufacturers,
provided a broad demonstration
of the many training alternatives
in today's complicated energy market. Training in the gas distribution arena requires state-of-the art
technologies, a range of new techniques and programs, and presents
many challenges regarding the

installation of polyethylene piping,
training needs specific to today's
workforce, and impacts of federal
and state regulatory initiatives.
Training is conducted to meet
several demands, whether regulatory compliance, workplace safety,
effective operation of expensive
equipment, personnel oversight,
and others. Seeing how the oil and
natural gas industry added more
than 80,000 jobs over 10 years,
quality training is more important
than ever. Workforce challenges
and opportunities in an evolving
industry that presents a multitude
of energy sources, and a generation of "Millennials" who don't
necessarily respond to traditional
training methods, calls for thorough evaluation of all training options available, including:
Simulators - Many panelists
showed an increasing reliance on
simulators, and for good reason.
Training in a simulator reduces
operating costs, such as fuel and
repair costs to broken equipment
during training, and provides a
good way to confirm new people's
claims that they know what they're
doing. Indeed, contemporary
simulators provide "real-life" situations and challenges, and offer
a good way to weed out problem
candidates up front.
Industry Universities - Some panelists offer industry-degree programs to employees, and maintain
large customer campuses with
state-of-the-art equipment and
a wide variety of course options.
Academic portions of training can
help avoid taking people into the
field prematurely, allowing more
people to be trained in less time
(and money). Universities allow for
candidates to become as prepared
as possible before entering the critical stage of hands-on, on-the-job
training. Certification of instructors is another popular benefit
of these universities, where technicians advance their careers by
becoming certified. Some of these
institutions offer not only online
degrees, but retraining options
and financial aid for those serious
about entering the industry.
Underground Construction July 2017

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Underground Construction - July 2017

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