GAS OPERATIONS & SAFETY ORIENTATION VIDEOS 

The SIF Gas Operations & Safety Orientation (GO) Videos are a series of videos meant for all interested individuals. Whether an elected official that oversees a publicly owned gas system, upper management at a gas utility, or a new hire in gas operations, these videos are designed to provide a high-level summary of gas distribution operations and pipeline safety compliance requirements. We encourage you to revisit this webpage regularly, as new videos are regularly under development.

You can view the GO videos below or on our YouTube page at www.youtube.com/@apgasif. Please note that the embedded videos below will not load if you choose to disable cookies.

A special thanks to Huntsville Utilities and City Utilities of Springfield, MO, for their support in the development of these videos.

Distribution Accident Root Causes

To prevent natural gas accidents from happening in the future, it’s important to understand the root causes of past accidents. In this video, the eight different root causes for gas distribution incidents are discussed.

In order to operate natural gas distribution systems, operators are required to meet numerous federal and state pipeline safety regulations. In this video, you will learn about the regulations that govern how operators design, construct, operate, and maintain their natural gas systems.

Whether working with or living around natural gas infrastructure, it is important to understand the characteristics of natural gas in order to stay safe. In this video, you will hear about some of the basics of natural gas, including its chemical make-up and how it smells.

The journey can be as interesting as the destination. In this video, follow along as natural gas is purchased by a utility from a transmission line all the way to its destination at a burner tip on an appliance in a home or business.

Federal pipeline safety regulations require operators to manage several different plans specific and unique to their systems. In this video, learn the basics of each of those plans.

Chapter 49: Code of Federal Regulations

Interested in learning a little more about the regulations that govern natural gas distribution systems? In this video, each of the sections in the federal pipeline safety regulations are detailed- everything from Operator Qualification to Damage Prevention.

 In 2015, during the aftermath of several significant pipeline incidents and at the recommendation of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, the pipeline industry came together to develop a safety management framework for pipelines. The goal of this framework was to further assist pipeline operators in achieving the ultimate goal of zero incidents. The result of this effort was the publication of the American Petroleum Institute’s Recommended Practice 1173, titled Pipeline Safety Management Systems (PSMS).

This video covers the 10 foundational elements of a Pipeline Safety Management System (PSMS) and how you can incorporate them successfully. The video also provides practical action items your company can take to implement these foundational elements.

In 2010, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) established integrity management requirements for natural gas distribution pipeline systems. This federal regulation requires operators to develop, write, and implement an integrity management program for several key elements of their natural gas distribution pipeline systems. Watch this video to learn about each element of a distribution integrity management program (DIMP).

By following these simple safety measures, you can enjoy the comfort of natural gas while helping keep your home and loved ones safe.