New ASME standard sets requirements for pipeline workers

By Plant Engineering Staff October 20, 2006

ASME has announced a new standard containing general and specific requirements that pipeline operators and regulators can apply to qualify individuals who perform safety checks, maintenance tasks and other work on gas and hazardous liquid pipelines.

ASME B31Q-2006: Pipeline Personnel Qualification Standard covers tasks typically carried out by pipeline personnel, providing federal and state regulators an important guide for evaluating qualification programs. The standard aims to minimize the role of human error in pipeline failures, imposing a set of requirements associated with specific tasks performed in the construction, operation, and maintenance of gas and hazardous liquid systems.