Pipeline Contractor Safety Manual

Core Safety Programs for Pipeline Contractors

A comprehensive Pipeline Contractor Safety Manual may include core programs addressing:

• Accident and Incident Investigation.
• Emergency Action Plan.
• Fire Prevention.
• First Aid.
• Hand and Power Tool Safety.
• Hazard Communication.
• Housekeeping.
• Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA).
• Manual Lifting and Material Handling.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Slips, Trips and Falls.
• Walking-Working Surfaces.
• Electrical Safety.
• Ladder and Stairway Safety.

The manual should also establish responsibilities for management, supervisors, employees, competent and qualified persons, hazard identification, inspections, safety training, hazard correction, incident reporting, recordkeeping, and periodic review of the company’s safety programs.

Pipeline Construction Safety

Pipeline construction frequently combines excavation, heavy equipment, suspended loads, welding, material handling, and large sections of pipe within the same work area.

Work should be planned so employees understand:

• The sequence of operations.
• Equipment movement.
• Pipe movement.
• Employee positioning.
• Excavation hazards.
• Rigging arrangements.
• Communication methods.
• Exclusion zones.
• Existing utilities.
• Pipeline-owner requirements.
• Emergency procedures.

Hazards should be reassessed as work progresses because terrain, soil conditions, equipment, weather, utilities, and other conditions may change substantially along the pipeline right-of-way.

Pre-Job Planning and JSA/JHA

Pipeline contractors should evaluate hazards before each phase of work.

A Job Safety Analysis or Job Hazard Analysis may address:

• Right-of-way conditions.
• Underground utilities.
• Excavations.
• Pipe delivery.
• Pipe unloading.
• Stringing.
• Pipe bending.
• Welding.
• Sideboom operations.
• Rigging.
• Lowering-in.
• Tie-ins.
• Pressure testing.
• Existing pipelines.
• Traffic.
• Weather.
• Environmental conditions.

The JSA should be reviewed and revised when equipment, personnel, work methods, terrain, weather, or other site conditions change.

Pipeline Right-of-Way Safety

Pipeline rights-of-way may extend across uneven terrain, roadways, agricultural areas, slopes, waterways, remote locations, and other challenging environments.

Safety planning should consider:

• Equipment access.
• Traffic routes.
• Pedestrian movement.
• Terrain.
• Slopes.
• Soft or unstable ground.
• Existing utilities.
• Public access.
• Environmental restrictions.
• Weather.
• Emergency access.
• Communication.

Employees should remain alert to changing conditions as operations move along the right-of-way.

Excavation and Trenching

Excavation and trenching are among the most significant hazards associated with pipeline construction.

Applicable procedures should address:

• Competent-person inspections.
• Soil classification.
• Protective systems.
• Trench shields.
• Sloping and benching.
• Access and egress.
• Underground utilities.
• Spoil placement.
• Water accumulation.
• Equipment near trench edges.
• Falling loads.
• Hazardous atmospheres.
• Employee positioning.

Underground installations should be identified before excavation begins, and their locations should be verified using safe and acceptable methods as work approaches them.

Competent Person and Excavation Inspections

Excavations should be inspected by a competent person as required.

Inspection considerations may include:

• Soil conditions.
• Protective systems.
• Evidence of cave-in.
• Water accumulation.
• Adjacent structures.
• Equipment loads.
• Spoil piles.
• Access and egress.
• Hazardous atmospheres.
• Conditions following rain or other hazard-increasing events.

Employees should be removed from hazardous excavations until unsafe conditions have been corrected.

Underground Utilities and Damage Prevention

Pipeline construction frequently occurs near existing pipelines, electrical lines, communications systems, water lines, sewer lines, and other underground installations.

Before ground disturbance begins, procedures should address:

• Utility notifications.
• One-call requirements.
• Drawings and records.
• Surface markings.
• Detection equipment.
• Potholing or other verification methods.
• Hand excavation where appropriate.
• Protection and support of exposed utilities.
• Communication with utility owners.

Existing underground facilities should not be assumed to be exactly where drawings or surface markings indicate without appropriate verification.

Pipe Unloading and Stockpiling

Pipe delivery and unloading can create struck-by, rolling, pinch-point, and suspended-load hazards.

Procedures should address:

• Truck positioning.
• Ground conditions.
• Load securement.
• Release of tiedowns.
• Equipment selection.
• Rigging.
• Pipe chocks.
• Stockpile stability.
• Exclusion zones.
• Employee positioning.

Employees should not position themselves where shifting or rolling pipe could trap them against trucks, equipment, stacked pipe, or fixed objects.

Pipe Stringing

Pipe stringing places pipe sections along the right-of-way in preparation for welding and other construction activities.

Hazards can include:

• Mobile equipment.
• Suspended pipe.
• Rolling pipe.
• Uneven ground.
• Slopes.
• Equipment travel paths.
• Pinch points.
• Traffic.

Stringing operations should be coordinated so employees remain outside hazardous equipment zones whenever possible.

Pipe Handling

Large pipe can move unexpectedly when lifted, lowered, rolled, bent, repositioned, or released from supports.

Safe pipe-handling procedures should address:

• Pipe weight and dimensions.
• Center of gravity.
• Rigging.
• Tag lines where appropriate.
• Chocks and restraints.
• Employee positioning.
• Stored energy.
• Suspended loads.
• Communication between operators and ground employees.

Employees should never rely on body position alone to stop or control moving pipe.

Pipe Cribbing and Stability

Pipe should be adequately supported and restrained to prevent uncontrolled movement.

Cribbing, blocking, wedges, chocks, or other supports should be:

• Appropriate for the load.
• Placed on stable surfaces.
• Maintained in safe condition.
• Positioned to prevent unintended rolling or movement.

Employees should avoid placing hands, feet, or other body parts beneath unsupported pipe.

Pipelayers and Sideboom Operations

Sideboom tractors and pipelayers are specialized equipment commonly used during pipeline construction.

Procedures should address:

• Pre-use inspections.
• Operator competency.
• Rated capacity.
• Boom condition.
• Wire rope and rigging.
• Ground conditions.
• Slopes.
• Load control.
• Equipment spacing.
• Coordinated lifts.
• Communication.
• Employee exclusion zones.

Ground employees should remain clear of areas where pipe, rigging, booms, or equipment could move unexpectedly.

Heavy Equipment and Mobile Equipment

Pipeline projects may involve:

• Excavators.
• Dozers.
• Loaders.
• Backhoes.
• Skid-steer loaders.
• Telehandlers.
• Forklifts.
• Pipelayers.
• Trucks.
• Tractors.
• Compacting equipment.

Procedures should address:

• Operator authorization.
• Equipment inspection.
• Seat-belt use.
• Backing.
• Blind spots.
• Spotters.
• Ground conditions.
• Slopes.
• Equipment separation.
• Pedestrian exposure.

Employees should avoid approaching operating equipment until communication has been established with the operator.

Line-of-Fire and Caught-Between Hazards

Pipeline work creates numerous opportunities for employees to be struck by equipment, moving pipe, rigging, released energy, or other materials.

Employees should avoid positioning themselves:

• Between pipe and equipment.
• Between pipe and excavation walls.
• Beneath suspended pipe.
• In front of or behind moving equipment.
• In the anticipated path of released tension.
• Inside equipment swing areas.
• Between unstable materials and fixed objects.

Pre-task planning should identify potential lines of fire and establish controls before work begins.

Pipe Bending

Pipeline bending may involve hydraulic bending machines and other specialized equipment.

Hazards can include:

• Pinch points.
• Stored hydraulic energy.
• Pipe movement.
• Equipment movement.
• Caught-between exposures.
• Communication failures.

Employees should remain clear of pinch points and areas where pipe could move unexpectedly.

Rigging and Hoisting

Rigging is an integral part of pipeline construction.

Rigging procedures should address:

• Sling selection.
• Shackles.
• Hooks.
• Rated capacities.
• Equipment inspection.
• Load configuration.
• Pipe coating protection.
• Center of gravity.
• Rigging angles.
• Employee positioning.

Rigging equipment should be appropriate for the load and inspected as required before use.

Suspended Loads

Employees should remain clear of suspended pipe and other suspended materials.

Work should be planned to minimize the need for employees to enter areas where loads could fall, swing, shift, or roll.

Where employees must assist with load control, safe positioning and communication methods should be established before the lift begins.

Lowering-In Operations

During lowering-in operations, multiple pipelayers or sidebooms may work together to place welded pipeline into the excavation.

Planning should address:

• Equipment capacity.
• Equipment spacing.
• Ground conditions.
• Boom positioning.
• Rigging.
• Coordinated movement.
• Communication.
• Pipe movement.
• Employee exclusion zones.
• Excavation conditions.

Employees should not be positioned where unexpected movement of pipe, rigging, or equipment could trap or strike them.

Pipeline Welding

Pipeline construction frequently involves welding pipe sections, tie-ins, repairs, and related fabrication.

Welding procedures should address:

• Employee qualification where applicable.
• Electrical hazards.
• Welding leads.
• Grounding.
• Fire prevention.
• Ventilation.
• Welding fumes.
• PPE.
• Compressed gas cylinders.
• Hot surfaces.
• Work near combustible or flammable materials.

Additional precautions may be necessary when welding on or near existing pipelines containing flammable or hazardous products.

Welding, Cutting and Hot Work

Pipeline work may involve:

• Arc welding.
• Oxy-fuel cutting.
• Grinding.
• Beveling.
• Preheating.
• Gouging.
• Other hot work.

Applicable controls should address:

• Combustible materials.
• Fire extinguishers.
• Fire watches.
• Ventilation.
• Hot surfaces.
• Cylinder handling.
• Ignition sources.
• Existing pipeline products.

Hot work should not proceed until applicable fire, atmospheric, and owner/operator precautions have been established.

Grinding and Beveling

Grinding and beveling operations may expose employees to:

• Flying particles.
• Wheel failure.
• Sparks.
• Noise.
• Vibration.
• Dust and fumes.
• Pinch points.

Employees should use properly guarded equipment and appropriate eye, face, hearing, hand, and other PPE.

Compressed Gas Cylinders

Pipeline welding and cutting may require oxygen, fuel gas, shielding gas, or other compressed gases.

Procedures should address:

• Cylinder securing.
• Valve protection.
• Separation.
• Transportation.
• Regulators.
• Hose inspection.
• Leak prevention.
• Storage.
• Fire hazards.

Damaged cylinders, regulators, or hoses should be removed from service.

Existing and Operating Pipelines

Work on or near existing pipelines can involve hazards that may not be present during new-line construction.

Depending on the pipeline and product, hazards may include:

• Flammable gas.
• Flammable liquids.
• Pressure.
• Hazardous atmospheres.
• Product release.
• Stored energy.
• Toxic substances.
• Ignition hazards.

Pipeline-owner or operator procedures should be incorporated into work planning where applicable.

Hazardous Energy and Lockout/Tagout

Maintenance, repair, tie-in, valve, equipment, and facility work may expose employees to hazardous energy.

Potential energy sources can include:

• Electrical energy.
• Mechanical energy.
• Hydraulic energy.
• Pneumatic energy.
• Pipeline pressure.
• Stored product.
• Gravity.
• Stored mechanical tension.

Energy-isolation procedures should reflect the equipment and pipeline system involved and should include verification before work begins.

Pressure and Stored Energy

Pressurized piping, test systems, hydraulic equipment, hoses, fittings, valves, and temporary systems can store substantial energy.

Employees should remain outside potential release paths.

Work planning should address:

• Pressure ratings.
• Fittings.
• Connections.
• Isolation.
• Bleeding and depressurization.
• Exclusion zones.
• Verification of energy control.
• Communication.

Hydrostatic and Pressure Testing

Pipeline contractors may perform hydrostatic, pneumatic, or other pressure testing.

Hazards may include:

• Failed fittings.
• Hose or pipe rupture.
• Test-head movement.
• Stored pressure.
• Unexpected release.
• Flying components.
• High-pressure fluid.

Pressure-testing procedures should address:

• Pre-test planning.
• Equipment ratings.
• Test connections.
• Inspection.
• Exclusion zones.
• Controlled pressurization.
• Leak checks.
• Depressurization.
• Disposal or management of test media.

Employees should not enter areas exposed to uncontrolled pressure-release hazards.

Atmospheric Testing

Atmospheric testing may be necessary where pipeline activities could expose employees to oxygen deficiency, flammable gases, toxic contaminants, or other hazardous atmospheres.

Testing may be appropriate for certain:

• Excavations.
• Confined spaces.
• Existing pipelines.
• Pits.
• Vaults.
• Process facilities.
• Release areas.

Testing equipment should be appropriate for the contaminants and conditions being evaluated.

Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide may be present in certain oil and gas pipeline systems, facilities, excavations, or release areas.

Where H₂S exposure is reasonably possible, procedures should address:

• Hazard recognition.
• Monitoring.
• Alarms.
• Ventilation.
• Respiratory protection.
• Emergency response.
• Employee training.

H₂S procedures should be included based on the actual pipeline product, facility, and exposure potential rather than assumed for every pipeline contractor.

Confined Spaces

Pipeline contractors may encounter permit-required confined spaces such as certain tanks, vessels, vaults, pits, and facilities.

Where confined-space requirements apply, procedures should address:

• Space evaluation.
• Entry permits where required.
• Atmospheric testing.
• Ventilation.
• Entrants.
• Attendants.
• Entry supervisors.
• Communication.
• Rescue.

An excavation should not automatically be treated as a confined space simply because it is deep or narrow. Excavation and confined-space requirements should be applied according to the work and conditions involved.

Fire and Explosion Prevention

Pipeline operations involving fuels, flammable gases, hot work, engines, or existing pipeline products require careful ignition control.

Procedures may address:

• Smoking restrictions.
• Hot work.
• Fuel handling.
• Static electricity.
• Flammable atmospheres.
• Fire extinguishers.
• Vehicle and equipment positioning.
• Emergency shutdown.
• Owner/operator requirements.

Spill Prevention and Response

Pipeline work can involve fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, pipeline products, chemicals, and test media.

Procedures should address:

• Material storage.
• Secondary containment.
• Equipment inspection.
• Refueling.
• Spill kits.
• Initial response.
• Reporting.
• Environmental notifications.
• Waste disposal.

Employees should understand which releases they may safely address and when specialized emergency response is required.

Hazard Communication

Pipeline contractors may use welding products, coatings, fuels, solvents, cleaners, lubricants, adhesives, paints, and other hazardous chemicals.

Employees should have access to applicable Safety Data Sheets and receive required information and training.

Containers should be properly labeled, and hazardous materials should be stored and handled according to applicable requirements.

Cranes

Some pipeline projects may use cranes for equipment, valve assemblies, fabrication, road crossings, compressor-station work, or other lifting activities.

Applicable crane procedures should address:

• Operator requirements.
• Inspections.
• Ground conditions.
• Rigging.
• Load charts.
• Power-line hazards.
• Signal persons.
• Suspended loads.
• Assembly and disassembly.

Forklifts and Telehandlers

Forklifts and telehandlers may be used in yards, staging areas, facilities, and construction locations.

Procedures should address:

• Operator training.
• Pre-use inspection.
• Rated capacity.
• Load stability.
• Terrain.
• Visibility.
• Pedestrian hazards.
• Attachments.
• Parking.

Traffic Control and Road Crossings

Pipeline rights-of-way often intersect highways, local roads, access roads, and public travel routes.

Traffic-control procedures may address:

• Signs.
• Barricades.
• Flaggers.
• High-visibility apparel.
• Equipment crossings.
• Truck access.
• Temporary lane closures.
• Public separation.

Traffic-control arrangements should comply with applicable agency and project requirements.

Working Around the Public

Pipeline activities may occur near roads, homes, farms, businesses, trails, and other public areas.

Controls may include:

• Barricades.
• Fencing.
• Signs.
• Controlled access.
• Equipment separation.
• Excavation protection.
• Material securement.
• Traffic control.

Unauthorized persons should be prevented from entering hazardous work areas.

Overhead Power Lines

Pipelayers, cranes, excavators, trucks, long pipe sections, and other equipment can create serious hazards near overhead electrical lines.

Power-line locations should be identified during planning.

Applicable clearance requirements and protective measures should be maintained when equipment or materials could approach energized lines.

Electrical Safety

Electrical hazards may be encountered through:

• Temporary power.
• Generators.
• Portable tools.
• Facility electrical systems.
• Cathodic-protection systems.
• Pumps.
• Welding equipment.
• Existing electrical installations.

Employees should follow applicable electrical safe-work practices and use appropriate protective equipment.

Hand and Power Tools

Pipeline employees may use:

• Grinders.
• Saws.
• Drills.
• Impact tools.
• Pneumatic tools.
• Hydraulic tools.
• Torches.
• Chain hoists.
• Hand tools.

Tools should be inspected, properly guarded where required, and used according to manufacturer instructions.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE should be selected according to the hazards involved.

Depending on the work, PPE may include:

• Hard hats.
• Safety glasses.
• Face shields.
• Work gloves.
• Welding PPE.
• Protective footwear.
• High-visibility apparel.
• Hearing protection.
• Fall protection.
• Respiratory protection.
• Flame-resistant clothing where appropriate.

Customer or pipeline-owner requirements may establish additional PPE requirements.

Hearing Conservation

Pipeline employees may be exposed to high noise from:

• Heavy equipment.
• Grinding.
• Welding support equipment.
• Compressors.
• Generators.
• Pneumatic tools.
• Other high-noise operations.

Where employee exposures meet applicable criteria, the company should implement required hearing-conservation measures.

Heat Stress

Pipeline work is frequently performed outdoors and can involve substantial physical exertion.

Heat-stress procedures should address:

• Drinking water.
• Rest periods.
• Shade or cooling.
• Acclimatization.
• Work scheduling.
• Employee monitoring.
• Recognition of heat illness.
• Emergency response.

Cold Stress and Severe Weather

Pipeline construction may continue during cold, rain, snow, wind, and other adverse weather.

Planning should consider effects on:

• Equipment stability.
• Pipe handling.
• Excavations.
• Roads.
• Slopes.
• Rigging.
• Employee footing.
• Visibility.
• Emergency access.

Work should be modified or suspended when weather creates unacceptable hazards.

Driving and Fleet Safety

Pipeline contractors may operate pickups, trucks, trailers, buses, service vehicles, and other fleet vehicles over long distances and remote roads.

Procedures may address:

• Driver qualification.
• Seat-belt use.
• Distracted driving.
• Fatigue.
• Vehicle inspection.
• Trailer towing.
• Load securement.
• Backing.
• Remote-road conditions.
• Accident reporting.

Remote Work and Working Alone

Pipeline projects may be located far from communities or immediate emergency services.

Where employees work alone or in remote areas, procedures should address:

• Communication.
• Check-in systems.
• Emergency contacts.
• Location identification.
• Travel.
• Weather.
• First aid.
• Rescue limitations.

Certain high-hazard activities should not be performed alone where immediate assistance may be necessary.

Emergency Response

Pipeline emergency planning should consider:

• Excavation collapse.
• Equipment incidents.
• Pipe movement.
• Fire.
• Explosion.
• Product release.
• Electrical contact.
• Pressure-testing incidents.
• H₂S exposure.
• Severe weather.
• Medical emergencies.

Employees should understand how to report emergencies, summon assistance, provide accurate worksite location information, and follow applicable owner/operator emergency procedures.

Pipeline Contractor Training

Employees should receive training appropriate to their assigned tasks and hazards.

Training may include:

• Excavation safety.
• Equipment operation.
• Pipe handling.
• Rigging.
• Sideboom operations.
• Welding.
• Pressure testing.
• Hazard communication.
• PPE.
• Emergency procedures.
• Traffic control.
• H₂S.
• Confined spaces.
• Hazardous energy.

Competent-person, qualified-person, operator, or other specialized training should be provided where required.

Pipeline Construction JSA/JHA

Pipeline-specific JSAs may address:

• Pipe unloading.
• Pipe stringing.
• Excavation.
• Pipe bending.
• Welding.
• Rigging.
• Sideboom operations.
• Lowering-in.
• Tie-ins.
• Backfilling.
• Pressure testing.
• Road crossings.
• Existing pipeline work.
• Heavy-equipment operation.

The JSA should reflect the actual equipment, terrain, pipeline size, work sequence, personnel, and environmental conditions involved.

Additional Safety Programs for Pipeline Contractors

Not every pipeline contractor requires every safety program.

Depending on the company’s work, additional programs may include:

• Atmospheric Testing and Gas Detection.
• Backhoe and Loader Safety.
• Cold Stress.
• Compressed Gas Cylinders.
• Confined Space.
• Crane Safety.
• Driving and Fleet Safety.
• Drug and Alcohol.
• Excavation and Trenching.
• Fire Prevention.
• Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
• Forklift and Telehandler Safety.
• Hand and Power Tools.
• Hazard Communication.
• Hearing Conservation.
• Heat Stress Prevention.
• Heavy Equipment and Mobile Equipment.
• Hydrogen Sulfide.
• Hydrostatic and Pressure Testing.
• Line-of-Fire Safety.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Manual Material Handling.
• Overhead Power Lines.
• Pipe Handling Safety.
• Pipelayer and Sideboom Safety.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Rigging and Material Handling.
• Short Service Employees.
• Spill Prevention and Response.
• Subcontractor Management.
• Traffic Control and Flagging.
• Underground Utilities.
• Welding, Cutting and Hot Work.
• Working Alone.
• Working Around the Public.

Programs should be selected according to the contractor’s actual operations rather than simply because they are associated with the pipeline industry.

Pipeline Owner and Operator Requirements

Pipeline contractors frequently perform work for pipeline owners, operators, energy companies, utilities, general contractors, and other clients that maintain their own contractor safety requirements.

These requirements may address:

• Site orientation.
• Contractor qualification.
• JSA or pre-task planning.
• Permit systems.
• Atmospheric testing.
• PPE.
• Hot work.
• Excavation.
• Equipment.
• Drug and alcohol requirements.
• Incident reporting.
• Environmental procedures.
• Emergency response.

Where customer or operator requirements apply, they should be incorporated into project planning and followed in addition to the contractor’s own safety programs.

Subcontractor Coordination

Pipeline projects may involve welding subcontractors, trucking companies, excavation contractors, testing companies, inspection personnel, environmental contractors, and other employers.

Coordination should address:

• Scope of work.
• Hazard communication.
• Simultaneous operations.
• Equipment movement.
• Excavations.
• Hot work.
• Pipeline energization.
• Emergency procedures.
• Owner requirements.

Each employer remains responsible for protecting its employees while coordinating hazards that may affect employees of other employers.

Pipeline Toolbox Talks

Pipeline toolbox talks can reinforce current field hazards and safe-work practices.

Useful topics may include:

• Trench safety.
• Underground utilities.
• Pipe handling.
• Line-of-fire hazards.
• Sidebooms.
• Heavy equipment.
• Rigging.
• Welding.
• Pressure testing.
• PPE.
• Heat stress.
• Driving.
• H₂S.
• Severe weather.

Toolbox talks supplement required training but do not replace training specifically required by applicable OSHA standards.

Pipeline Contractor Safety Manual vs. Site-Specific Safety Plan

A Pipeline Contractor Safety Manual establishes the company’s overall written safety programs and procedures.

A Site-Specific Safety Plan (SSSP) applies those programs to a particular pipeline project, right-of-way, facility, or worksite.

For example, the company manual may contain Excavation, Rigging, Heavy Equipment, Welding, Pressure Testing, H₂S, Traffic Control, and Emergency Action programs. Project-specific planning can then address the actual terrain, pipeline diameter, equipment, excavation conditions, existing utilities, pipeline products, owner requirements, emergency access, and weather conditions at that location.

The company safety manual therefore provides the foundation for project-specific planning.

Building a Pipeline Contractor Safety Manual

A practical Pipeline Contractor Safety Manual should reflect the operations the contractor actually performs.

When selecting programs, consider:

• New pipeline construction.
• Pipeline replacement.
• Pipeline repair.
• Transmission pipelines.
• Distribution pipelines.
• Gathering systems.
• Oil pipelines.
• Natural-gas pipelines.
• Existing operating pipelines.
• Excavation.
• Sideboom operations.
• Pipe bending.
• Welding.
• Lowering-in.
• Pressure testing.
• Facility work.
• Remote locations.
• Pipeline-owner requirements.
• Contractor-prequalification requirements.

Selecting programs according to actual operations produces a safety manual that addresses the contractor’s real hazards without filling the document with unrelated safety programs.

Customized Safety Manuals for Pipeline Contractors

Pipeline contractors can request a customized Construction Safety Manual containing the Core Safety Programs and additional programs applicable to their pipeline construction, excavation, pipe handling, welding, equipment, pressure-testing, and related operations.

Programs can be selected according to the company’s actual work, equipment, customer requirements, and hazards so the manual addresses relevant pipeline operations without including large numbers of unrelated safety programs.

Individual safety programs can also be selected when a pipeline contractor needs to add or update a particular program within an existing manual.