Massachusetts to adopt pipeline safety management system

To ensure the safety of the natural gas distribution system in Massachusetts, the Northeast Gas Association (NGA) plans to adopt a Pipeline Safety Management System.

The adopted system is a recommended best practice by the American Petroleum Institute that was first developed in 2010. It is, however, the first time an entire state has committed to this practice. Massachusetts was affected by gas explosions at 39 homes in the Merrimack Valley region on Sept. 13.

After the gas explosions, the state’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU) requested that all natural gas companies adopt these comprehensive standards and review their safety protocols, including an examination of the feasibility of implementing a safety management system.

“Our administration is pleased that the Northeast Gas Association has complied with the DPU’s request to adopt the nation’s first statewide Pipeline Safety Management System to ensure the safety of our communities,” Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said. “We are proud to work with the Northeast Gas Association and its members to ensure that a culture of safety is in place at every level of utility business operations and that the best possible policies and oversight are in place to protect public safety.”

A safety management system would include safety culture training of all employees and leadership, analysis and management of pipeline safety risks, and implementation of better operational controls of the pipeline system and use of contractors. It would also include development of a plan for stakeholder engagement regarding safety risks, the creation of a process to investigate incidents and near-misses and implement corrective actions, development of effective emergency preparedness and response procedures, development of an oversight system, and improvement of record keeping, among other actions.

“One of the goals of adopting the Safety Management System is to change the culture of safety by moving away from being reactive and becoming proactive and predictive on safety issues,” Department of Public Utilities Chair Angela O’Connor said. “The Department of Public Utilities looks forward to working with the natural gas distribution companies to fully implement this system, and to continually reassess whether the right protocols are in place to ensure the safety of our pipeline system.”

These standards exceed federal requirements for pipeline safety set by the National Transportation Safety Board and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

The Northeast Gas Association is a regional trade association whose members are natural gas companies, including Berkshire Gas, Blackstone Gas, Columbia Gas, Eversource Energy, Liberty Utilities, National Grid, and Unitil. The group is committed to working continuously and actively to implement Pipeline Safety Management Systems.