UKOPA's response to HSE's gas supply strategy

UKOPA Health and Safety Strategy - Being part of the solution

The United Kingdom Onshore Pipeline Operators' Association (UKOPA) represents the onshore pipeline industry. UKOPA and all its members are committed to achieving the highest standards of health and safety in pipeline operations and fully support the HSE’s overall strategy “The Health and safety of Great Britain \\ Be part of the solution” and the associated industry-specific Gas and Pipelines Strategy.

UKOPA has developed its strategy for 2011 to 2016 to secure its health and safety objectives in dialogue with HSE and in particular the Gas and Pipelines Unit. The strategy identifies the following key areas.

• sharing good practice for pipeline operations
• collecting fault data related to onshore Major Accident Hazard Pipelines (MAHPs) & extension of database to non-MAHPs
• work in the vicinity of & third party damage to members’ UK onshore pipelines:
  • collecting incident and near miss data
  • promoting initiatives to reduce the incidence of third party damage
  • publishing guidance for work in the vicinity of pipelines
• developing risk and hazard assessment methodologies to better understand the risks associated with members’ operations
• developing competency requirements for individuals working in the onshore pipeline industry
• improving the exchange of information related to incidents, accidents and near misses by member companies
• working with industry stakeholders including Central Government including HSE, the Environment Agency and SEPA and organising regular formal joint UKOPA-HSE strategy meetings to agree and align future objectives for the sector

The following table sets out the links between the UKOPA strategy and the specific objectives within the HSE and Gas and Pipelines strategy and how the activities of UKOPA will contribute to the delivery of mutual aims and objectives.

Through this joint approach UKOPA expects that standards of health and safety across the industry will be maintained and improved.

Signed by UKOPA representative

• UKOPA Table