Getting Off “Most Wanted” List: Relief for PHMSA

Posted February 24th, 2010

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that it had removed an item from its “Most Wanted Transportation Safety Improvements” list. For a number of years, “Reduce Pipeline Accidents Caused by Human Fatigue” had been on the list. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has been working with the pipeline industry to develop regulations that would address maximum hours of service and related issues for pipeline controllers. I think this work began in the 1990s.

A final rule was issued by PHMSA in 2009 that addressed enough of the NTSB’s concerns that the Board voted to remove the pipeline transportation mode from its “Most Wanted” list. The aviation and marine transportation modes still need to address accidents caused by human fatigue.

While I do not think the final rule will address all the initial concerns of the NTSB, it is a good step. And I suspect the final rule will be amended in the future. My suspicion is based on general statements in the rule, the revised accident or incident report form, and the future development of inspection criteria. The main reason for my thought is that most pipeline companies will not develop a rigorous and thorough fatigue risk management system.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 4:46 pm and is filed under Human Factors, In the News, Managing Fatigue.