The American Gas Association’s board of directors approved creation of a nationwide peer safety and operations review program beginning in 2015. It will let the more than 200 local distribution companies in AGA observe their peers, share leading practices, and identify opportunities to better serve customers and communities, the trade association said.
Under the program, three to four AGA member companies will form a voluntary peer group that will visit one another’s facilities and conduct detailed reviews focusing on key aspects of pipeline and employee safety, AGA Pres. David K. McCurdy said on Oct. 15.
“This program allows experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated gas utility professionals to engage in detailed, face-to-face discussions focused on safety, thereby helping each company strengthen its practices and processes, and ultimately leading to an even safer gas industry,” McCurdy said.
Development of a national peer review program follows successful completion of a pilot program involving 10 of its member companies from June 2013 through this past March, AGA indicated. While other US gas industry segments have implemented peer safety reviews, this will be the first such program involving gas utilities on a national level, it said.
AGA said the national program would examine safety culture, pipeline safety risk management, and technical training and worker procedures in gas operations. Once companies complete these reviews, they would have the opportunity to examine other areas, including construction and contractor oversight, emergency preparedness and response and public awareness, damage prevention, quality control, and workforce development.
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