Pipeline safety: Pipeline personnel; qualification requirement; environmental assessment,

[Federal Register: June 3, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 106)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 29834]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr03jn99-29]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Parts 192 and 195

[Docket No. RSPA-98-3783]

RIN 2137-AB38

Qualification of Pipeline Personnel

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability of draft environmental assessment.

SUMMARY: This proposed rule would require pipeline operators to develop and maintain a written qualification program for individuals performing covered tasks on pipeline facilities. The intent of the rule is to ensure a qualified workforce and reduce the probability and consequences of incidents caused by human error. A draft environmental assessment of this proposed rule is available in the docket.

DATES: Interested persons may submit written comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment until July 6, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Send comments in duplicate to Dockets Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Identify the docket and notice number stated in the heading of this notice. Persons should send the original plus one (1) copy. Comments may be filedelectronically by e-mail at ops.comments@rspa.dot.gov. All comments and docketed material will be available for inspection and copying at the Dockets Facility between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. each business day. Comments can also be reviewed over the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marvin Fell at (202)366-6205 or by e- mail at marvin.fell@rspa.dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Although no regulatory program is capable of completely eliminating human error, the objective of this proposed rule is to reduce the risk of accidents on pipeline facilities attributable to human error. In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published October 27, 1998 (63 FR 57269), RSPA proposed to require pipeline operators to develop and maintain a written qualification program for individuals performing covered tasks. This proposed rule for qualification of individuals is intended to provide additional levels of safety. The proposed rule would require operators of pipelines to develop a qualification program to evaluate an individual's ability to perform covered tasks and to recognize and react to abnormal operating conditions that may occur while performing covered tasks.

We have analyzed the proposed rule for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The proposed rule should not significantly impact the environment. It should provide some improvement to the environment by reducing the probability and consequences of incidents on pipelines caused by human error. Therefore, we have determined that the proposed rule would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. A draft environmental assessment document is available for review in the docket.

Issued in Washington, DC, on May 26, 1999. Richard B. Felder, Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.

[FR Doc. 99-14079Filed6-2-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-60-P