Cross Country Pipeline Construction in the Pursuit of Zero Accident

Cross country pipeline construction, as an industry, may be 65 years or even more, the equipment, the methodology and technologies in this industry have not changed significantly as compared to other industries. The same accident reoccurs on one pipeline project after another even though the incidents are investigated and reports are published and root causes are known to management and communicated to workforce. Pipeline construction activities are hazardous, fast paced, strenuous and are undertaken simultaneously at remote sites, with limited access making it difficult to monitor and control. Experience shows that the time spent on pre-construction and planning activities is simply rapid during construction phase of the work, when safety issues can be much more difficult to resolve. Road driving is another area of concern as lot of travelling is involved. Strategic, focused application of Health, safety and environment programs and its monitoring and mitigation will significantly improve the safety performance of the pipeline construction areas while improving the overall motivation of workers and time schedule to complete the project. These achievements have been demonstrated through the development and implementation of strategic and focused HSE management programs that identifies the areas of concern along the pipeline in the field and allocating the right type of resources in time to mitigate the probability of incidents. Pipeline construction industry will prosper in twenty-first century only if everyone at every level understands the importance of these safety issues and implement the practices that will safeguard both people and planet.