1. A TECHNICAL PUBLICATION OF ASSE’S PUBLIC SECTOR PRACTICE SPECIALTY
Delivering
public services
safely
September 2016
©istockphoto.com/nimis69
Natural Gas
Distribution
& Public
Safety
By Benjamin Rodgers
N
atural gas is the principal source of energy that
provides many comforts of daily life. Most natu-
ral gas customers take for granted the warmth
and comfort of their homes in the winter, their ease in
cooking and grilling foods, and the fact that they will
usually have warm water when bathing. Many overlook
the fact that the process of transporting natural gas from
the ground safely to their home requires a great deal of
behind-the-scenes activity.
For a utility contractor for natural gas distribution
companies, maintaining the safety of the general public
while ensuring employee safety is a primary goal. To
achieve that goal, several safety measures must be imple-
mented to ensure the safety of the public and the commu-
nity. In addition, residents must know how to prevent and
detect leaks; gas line technicians and pipeline operators
must be trained and certified; safe traffic patterns must
be maintained on roadways; strict fleet safety programs
must be enforced and DOT compliance monitored; and
the local environment must be preserved.
Natural gas is colorless and odorless. That is why
natural gas pipeline transmission stations add mercaptan
to the gas before it is distributed to consumers. The harm-
less, sulfuric odor of mercaptan helps consumers identify
potential corrosion or pipeline leaks so they can contact
the local gas utility, which will send a qualified gas tech-
nician to investigate and correct any unsafe conditions.
Operator Qualifications
Employees must have the proper operator qualifica-
tions (OQ) to keep themselves and customers safe when
completing any natural gas pipeline work. OQ is a
regulation of the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) within
the DOT. OPS is the main regulatory agency responsible
for governing the operation and maintenance of jurisdic-
tional natural gas pipelines under 49 CFR Part 192.
Many state agencies (including public service/util-
ity commissions) have been approved to regulate
intrastate pipelines, allowing the OPS to focus its
attention on inspecting interstate pipelines.
The OQ regulation requires natural gas pipeline
operators to develop and maintain a written qualification
program. The intent of OQ is to ensure a qualified work-
force and reduce the risk of incidents caused by human
error. Hazardous tasks relative to the natural gas indus-
try include fusing natural gas pipelines, abandoning
natural gas facilities, identifying abnormal natural gas
operating conditions, installing natural gas service lines
and main lines, installing meter and regulator sets, in-
stalling house piping and mechanical fittings, relighting

2. SEPTEMBER 2016 2
Perspectives
house appliances, pressure testing and tapping natural
gas pipelines, and monitoring corrosion control.
After employees are trained and successfully complete
OQ testing, their work must be audited on a regular basis
by an OSH or construction professional. The safety and
construction audits assess the employee as s/he imple-
ments OQ training on specific job tasks, such as plastic
fusion or the installation of natural gas pipeline. Feedback
to the employee provides opportunities for additional
training and continuous improvement.
Pipeline Deterioration
Detecting the deterioration of pipeline facilities is as
important as installing new pipelines and maintaining
existing lines. For example, Banks Gas Service Inc. has
utility work crews designated to detect such deterioration.
Anodes are applied to steel pipeline to prevent corrosion
by producing an electrical current on the outer walls of
the pipe. The soil acts as a barrier to prevent atmospheric
corrosion and pipeline pitting.
Monitoring corrosion and applying anodes is vital in pre-
dicting and mitigating risks specifically in steel pipe.Plastic
main and service lines are now being installed to replace
steel pipe to eliminate corrosive activity, which improves the
quality and integrity of natural gas pipeline systems.
Utility Damage Prevention
An effective utility damage prevention program that
highlights community awareness and education is critical
for the safe distribution of natural gas. Any time an indi-
vidual digs, s/he must notify 8-1-1 (One Call System) prior
to any excavation activity. One Call is a universal tele-
phone hotline system that alerts all utilities of the need to
mark their lines before digging commences.
Before excavating to repair/install any natural gas line, a
gas utility or contractor must follow the standards set forth in
a given state. For example, Banks Gas, operating in the state
of Pennsylvania, must follow OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651, which
requires notification of PA One Call System 3 business days
before excavation. Once this call is made, 8-1-1 notifies the ap-
propriate utilities to locate and mark underground utilities.
Sewer cameras are often used to locate sewer lines while
tracer wire may be used to identify natural gas pipeline.
The tracer wire works in conjunction with cathodic protec-
One Call is a
universal telephone
hotline system that
alerts all utilities
of the need to mark
their lines before
digging commences.
©istockphoto.com/HAILSHADOW

3. SEPTEMBER 2016 3
Perspectives
tion since the wire picks up a signal to identify
the pipeline’s exact location. Since natural gas is
combustible, utility contractors must comply with
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651(b) (3), which refers to “soft
digging” and locating. These processes mitigate risk
of damaging natural gas utility lines by exposing
the gas line, via shoveling and compressed air/vacu-
um excavation techniques. Excavator use is avoided
until the gas pipeline is exposed, and a perimeter of
at least 18 in. from the pipeline is established for use
of heavy excavation equipment.
Public Safety
Public safety a priority throughout work
operations and excavations. This is achieved
by monitoring vehicle and pedestrian traffic. In
Pennsylvania, flaggers are trained to control traf-
fic flow according to Penn DOT guidelines and
The Manual on Traffic Control Device. Flagger
training emphasizes five major areas of proper
work zone set up: 1) advanced warning area; 2) transition
area; 3) buffer area; 4) work area; and 5) termination area.
Topics include proper sign and cone placement, acceptable
flagger positioning and adequate flagger communication.
The industry also stresses closing sidewalks and
placing plywood or road plates over open excavations
to reduce pedestrian slips, trips and falls, and to prevent
vehicle encroachments at work sites. In addition, a des-
ignated spotter or cone bar barricade may be used while
installing, repairing and replacing natural gas pipeline to
aid pedestrians through the work zone area.
Fleet Safety
DOT and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
conduct random vehicle inspections and enforce various
policies to keep community members as well as driv-
ers safe particularly in the natural gas industry. Policies
include load weight requirements for designated vehicles,
proper vehicle maintenance, appropriate training and
medical clearances for drivers, and proper load securement
and tie down techniques reduce injuries and collisions.
Furthermore, some natural gas utility contractors
and companies enforce strict fleet safety programs.
A 360-degree walkaround policy requires a driver to
walk completely around his/her vehicle to inspect the
surroundings and to ensure that no stationary objects,
people or animals are in the vehicle’s path. Before each
trip, regardless of the duration, the driver must verify the
vehicle’s safe operation by checking tires, mirrors, doors
to ensure that they are in good operating condition. This
simple action reduces incidents involving contact with
fixed objects since the driver also becomes aware of any
barriers, objects or pedestrians in the vehicle’s path. Ad-
ditional training can cover topics such as backing into
parking spaces; selecting the path of least resistance; us-
ing signals/horns appropriately; establishing safe follow-
ing distances; and designating spotters.
Environmental Concerns
One element not widely visible to consumers are the
environmental programs that natural gas companies
deploy to protect the public. Pipeline operators and tech-
nicians complete training on how to properly clean up
gas or oil spills. Utility crews work diligently to preserve
properties and the terrain of communities. Filter bags are
used to pump water out of excavations to prevent dirt
and sediment from settling on streets, sidewalks and
driveways. Trenchless technology and stringent policies
are being used to reduce tree and vegetation damage.
After projects are complete, the companies ensure that
landscaping and paving are done to further maintain an
environmentally safe and aesthetic community.
Having a safety culture is important in any company,
but it is particularly critical in the natural gas industry.
“Reducing risks, ensuring operator qualifications, com-
pleting traffic, pedestrian and fleet safety training, and
preserving the communities where our customers reside
is a top priority,” says Tom Banks, owner of Banks Gas
Service Inc. “We are a safe company with the safety of
our community always being the top priority.” n
Benjamin Rodgers, GSP, holds a B.S. in Safety, Health and Environ-
mental Applied Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
He is the health, safety and environmental manager for Banks
Gas Service Inc. in North Versailles, PA. His job duties include
safety program development/implementation, employee training,
tracking and trending leading/lagging indicators and identifying
indirect, direct and root causes to near-hits and incidents.
©istockphoto.com/songqiuju

4. SEPTEMBER 2016 4
Perspectives • Public Sector Practice Specialty
Officers
Administrator
Leo J. DeBobes, CSP, CPEA,
CHCM
leo.debobes@stonybrook
medicine.edu
Assistant Administrator
Lori A. Schroth, CSP, CHSP
lori.schroth@yahoo.com
Content Coordinator
Elliot Laratonda
elaratonda@comcast.net
ASSE Staff
Manager, Practice Specialties
Charlyn Haguewood
chaguewood@asse.org
Communications Team
Tina Angley
Cathy Baker
Brendan Hilliard
Sue Trebswether
COPSpublications@asse.org
Perspectives is a publication of
ASSE’s Public Sector Practice
Specialty, 520 N. Northwest
Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068,
and is distributed free of charge
to members of the Public Sector
Practice Specialty. The opinions
expressed in articles herein are
those of the author(s) and are not
necessarily those of ASSE. Technical
accuracy is the responsibility of the
author(s). Send address changes to
the mailing address above; via fax
to (847) 768-3434; or via e-mail to
customerservice@asse.org.
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