API Recommend Practice 1173 Third-Party Assessment Program:Pipeline Safety Management Systems in a Global Context

摘要

In 2015,the North American pipeline industry completed the development of a framework for a Pipeline Safety Management System(Pipeline SMS)designed specifically for pipeline operators.American Petroleum Institute(API)Recommended Practice(RP)1173 is the product of a collaboration between pipeline operators,state and federal regulators,and other engaged stakeholders(e.g.gas distribution,transmission,utilities,etc.)working towards the goal of zero incidents.The API Pipeline SMS Third-Party Assessment Program is designed to identify ways of empowering stakeholders to do their operation(s)and maintenance activities in a safe way,and identifying practical steps to protect communities,employees,and the environment from the pipeline safety risks.Incidents occur not because of a lack of knowledge,but failure to use the knowledge the industry already has.Many operators think that undertaking Pipeline SMS assessments is a difficult and complicated process,and as a result,it is often misunderstood.The API Pipeline SMS Third-Party Assessment Program is a proven and consistent assessment program that enables operators to break through PSMS barriers and implementation challenges.