Operator Qualification (OQ)

For more information please call us at: 724-914-8707, 614-329-6416, or 859-543-0224

“To assure safety in the transport of hazardous gases and liquids in the nation’s pipelines, pipeline operators who perform covered tasks must be qualified. Qualified means that an individual has been evaluated and can perform assigned covered tasks and recognize and react to abnormal operating conditions.” Operator Qualification (OQ) Training Requirements; U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/about-phmsa/offices/office-pipeline-safety

ARC Randolph & Associates, LLC is the industry’s first choice for cost-effective, instructor-led Operator Qualification (OQ) programming. Call us and let our IACET (International Association for Continuing Education & Training) certified evaluators/instructors bring their years of operations experience onsite to your workplace for Operator Qualification or Requalification in the following:

F-1 Join Plastic Pipe with Heat Fusion

Joining of Plastic Pipe – Butt Fusion: Manual
Joining of Plastic Pipe – Butt Fusion: Hydraulic
Joining of Plastic Pipe – Sidewall Heat Fusion
Joining of Plastic Pipe – Electrofusion
Joining of Plastic Pipe – Socket Heat Fusion

F-2 Join Plastic Pipe with Mechanical Fittings

Joining of Plastic Pipe – Stab Fittings
Joining of Pipe – Non-Bottom Out Compression Couplings
Joining of Pipe – Bottom Out Compression Couplings
Joining of Pipe – Compression Couplings

F-5 Visually Inspect Polyethylene Pipe Joints for Indicators of Proper Construction/Assembly

Visually Inspect Butt Fused Polyethylene Pipe
Visually Inspect Socket Fused Polyethylene Pipe
Visually Inspect Sidewall Fused Polyethylene Pipe
Visually Inspect Mechanical Fittings on Polyethylene Pipe
Visually Inspect Electrofusion Fittings on Polyethylene Pipe

G-1 Verify Excavating and Backfilling Operations That Minimize Excavation Damage to Pipeline

Verified the Correct Marking of Permanently Marked Underground Pipeline Facilities
Verified the Correct Marking of Temporarily Marked Underground Pipeline Facilities
Inspected and Assured the Correct Performance of Backfilling Activities
Assured the Performance of Damage Prevention Activities During Excavation Activities by or on Behalf of the Operator
Damage Prevention Inspections During Third Party Excavation or Encroachment Activities as Determined Necessary by Operator
Provided or Assured Adequate Pipeline Support During Operator Initiated Excavation Activities

G-2 Identify Basic Installation Methods for Mains and Transmission Pipelines

Visual Inspection of Pipe and Components Prior to Installation
Installation of Steel Pipe in a Ditch
Installation of Steel Pipe in a Bore
Installation of Steel Pipe by Plowing/Pull-In
Field Bending of Steel Pipe
Installation of Plastic Pipe in a Ditch
Installation of Plastic Pipe in a Bore
Installation of Plastic Pipe by Plowing/Pull-In
Installation of Plastic Pipe by Plowing/Planting
Installation of Tracer Wire
Installation of Pipe Above Ground
Installation and Maintenance of Casing Spacers, Vents and Seals

G-3 Install Aboveground Pipelines

Visual Inspection of Pipe and Components Prior to Installation
Installation of Aboveground Pipe
Aboveground Supports and Anchors: Inspection, Preventive, and Corrective Maintenance

H-1 Install Customer Gas Meter and Regulator Sets

Joining of Pipe – Threaded Joints
Joining of Pipe – Flange Assembly
Installation of Customer Meters and Regulators – Residential and Small Commercial
Install Customer Meters – Large Commercial and Industrial

H-2 Install Customer Gas Service Lines

Installation of Steel Pipe in a Ditch
Installation of Plastic Pipe in a Ditch
Installation of Tracer Wire
Inspected and Assured the Correct Performance of Backfilling Operations

H-3 Deactivate Gas Metering Services

Perform Customer Gas Service Turn Off

H-4 Identify Proper Installation of Residential Customer Service Line Valves

Install/Replace Service Line Valves Upstream of Customer Meter

I-1 Perform Pipe-to-Soil Potential Surveys on Effectively Coated or Submerged Pipelines

Measure Structure to Electrolyte Potential

I-2 Determine Areas of Active Corrosion Using Close Interval Survey Methods

Conduct Close Interval Survey

I-3 Measure Soil Resistivity

Measure Soil Resistivity

I-4 Inspect the External Condition of Exposed Buried Metal Piping to Determine if Repair or Replacement is Necessary

Visual Inspection of Buried Pipe and Components When Exposed Measure External Corrosion
Determine Appropriate Remedial Measures for Corrosion Control and Notification of Proper Personnel

I-5 Inspect and Maintain Rectifiers

Inspect Rectifier and Obtain Readings
Maintain Rectifiers

I-6 Inspect for the Effects of Interference Current

Inspect or Test Cathodic Protection Bonds

I-7 Install Test Leads to Monitor and Control External Corrosion

Installation and Maintenance of Mechanical Electrical Connections
Installation of Exothermic Electrical Connections

I-8 Install and Test Insulation to Control External Corrosion by Electrical Isolation

Inspect or Test Cathodic Protection Electrical Isolation Devices
Install Cathodic Protection Electrical Isolation Devices

I-9 Inspect for Evidence of Internal Corrosion

Insert and Remove Coupons/Probes for Internal Corrosion Monitoring
Visual Inspection for Internal Corrosion
Measure Internal Corrosion

I-10 Inspect and Monitor Exposed Piping for Evidence of Atmospheric Corrosion

Visual Inspection for Atmospheric Corrosion
Measure Atmospheric Corrosion

I-11 Install Sacrificial Anodes and Test Stations

Install Sacrificial Anodes
Installation and Maintenance of Mechanical Electrical Connections
Installation of Exothermic Electrical Connections

I-12 Measure the Extent of Corrosion on Pipeline Facilities

Measure Internal Corrosion
Measure Atmospheric Corrosion

I-13 Identify Procedures Basic to Inspecting, Applying, and Repairing Pipeline Coatings

Visual Inspection of Buried Pipe and Components When Exposed
Coating Application and Repair – Brushed or Rolled
Coating Application and Repair – Sprayed
External Coating Application and Repair – Wrapped

L-1 Tap Pipelines Under Pressure

Tapping a Pipeline (Tap Diameter 2 Inch or Less)
Tapping a Pipeline (Tap Diameter Greater Than 2 Inch)
Tapping Cast and Ductile Iron Pipe, and Low Pressure Steel Pipe

L-1a Hot Tapping Pipelines Using Self-Tapping Tees

Tapping a Pipeline with a Built-In Cutter

L-2 Purge Pipelines (Small & Large Diameter)

Purge – Flammable or Inert Gas
Purge – Hazardous Liquids

L-3a Monitor Odorant Levels

Odorization – Periodic Sampling

L-4 Monitor and Regulate the Flow and Pressure of Gas from Remote Locations

Operate Gas Pipeline – System Control Center
Operate Gas Pipeline – Local Facility Remote-Control Operations

M-1 Perform Patrol and Leakage Surveys on Gas Pipeline Facilities

Outside Gas Leak Investigation
Walking Gas Leakage Survey
Mobile Gas Leakage Survey – Flame Ionization
Mobile Gas Leakage Survey – Optical Methane
Inspect Pipeline Surface Conditions – Patrol Right-of-Way or Easement

M-2 Locate and Mark Underground Facilities

Locate Underground Pipelines
Install and Maintain Pipeline Markers
Temporarily Mark Underground Pipeline Facilities

M-3 Pressure Testing Gas Pipelines

Pressure Test Pipelines – Non-Liquid Medium – MAOP Less Than 100 psi
Pressure Test Pipelines – Non-Liquid Medium – MAOP Greater Than or Equal to 100 psi
Pressure Test Pipelines – Liquid Medium
Leak Test at Operating Pressure

M-4 Inspect and Test Pressure Limit Stations, Relief Devices and Pressure Regulating Stations

Spring-Loaded Pressure Regulating Device – Inspection and Testing, Preventive and Corrective Maintenance
Pilot-Operated Pressure Regulating Device – Inspection, Testing, Preventive and Corrective Maintenance
Controller Type Pressure Regulating Device –Inspection, Testing, Preventive and Corrective Maintenance
Spring-Loaded Pressure Limiting and Relief Device – Inspection, Testing, Preventive and Corrective Maintenance
Pilot-Operated Pressure Limiting and Relief Device – Inspection, Testing, Preventive and Corrective Maintenance
Pneumatic Loaded Pressure Limiting and Relief Device – Inspection, Testing, Preventive and Corrective Maintenance
Vault Inspection and Maintenance

M-5 Inspect, Service, and Operate Line Valves

Manually Opening and Closing Valves
Adjust and Monitor Flow or Pressure – Manual Valve Operation
Valve – Visual Inspection and Partial Operation
Valve – Preventive Maintenance

M-5a Inspect Emergency Valves

Valve – Visual Inspection and Partial Operation

M-6 Monitor Compressor Station Gas Detection Equipment

Routine Calibration of Transmitters
Verify Proper Operation of Alarm System
Trouble-Shooting: Sensor Replacement
Trouble-Shooting: Transmitter Circuit Board

M-7 Prevent Accidental Ignition

M-8 Make Field Repairs on Gas Pipelines

Visual Inspection of Installed Pipe and Components for Mechanical Damage
Measure and Characterize Mechanical Damage on Installed Pipe and Components
Visually Inspect Pipe and Components Prior to Installation
Install Mechanical Clamps and Sleeves – Bolted
Fit-Up of Weld Type Repair Sleeves
Repair of Steel Pipe by Grinding
Squeeze Off Plastic Pipe

M-9 Repair and Protect Cast Iron Pipe

Cast-Iron Caulked Bell and Spigot Joints – Installation and Maintenance of Mechanical Leak Clamp(s)
Cast Iron Joints – Sealing: Encapsulation
Internal Sealing – Cast Iron and Ductile Iron

M-10 Abandon or Deactivate Gas Pipeline Facilities

Temporary Isolation of Service Lines and Service Discontinuance
Abandon/Deactivate Mains
Abandon/Deactivate Service Lines