API unveils new standard for pipeline safety management systems

The American Petroleum Institute announced a new pipeline safety management system standard, the trade group said on Wednesday.

This new standard, which was built on the industry goal of zero incidents, was created with engagement and guidance from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), and other key stakeholders to further enhance pipeline safety.

“Pipelines are safe and efficient, but we are always looking for new ways to make them better, which is why industry is embracing this new standard,” said Robin Rorick, midstream director at the API. “It’s also a great example of what can be done when industry, regulators and all key stakeholders work together to achieve a common objective, which is to protect the public, the environment and provide the fuels Americans need.”

API says it developed and published Recommended Practice 1173 under its American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited process and is the American National Standard (ANS) on the subject of pipeline safety management systems.

API’s rigorous process is open, transparent and ensures that the best minds from government, academia, the public and industry fully participate in the development of API standards, according to group officials.

“We continue to be committed to safety and this standard raises that bar even further,” said Rorick. “This new standard gives operators a holistic framework to identify and address safety concerns for a pipeline’s entire life cycle.”

The API thanked the NTSB and PHMSA for their guidance and cooperation in creating RP 1173. The RP will build upon existing safety requirements to further monitor and measure the effectiveness of pipeline activities with a “plan, do, check, and act” philosophy that requires periodic reviews and applies changes or corrections to activities as needed.

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