ARCHIVED – Safety Advisory SA 2015-02 – Positive Air Shutoff Devices on Diesel Engines

Safety Advisory – SA 2015-02 – Positive Air Shutoff Devices on Diesel Engines [PDF 83 KB]

OF-Surv-Gen 11
19 January 2015

To: All Companies under National Energy Board Jurisdiction
Canadian Energy Pipeline Association
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
Provincial Pipeline Regulators

National Energy Board Safety Advisory SA 2015-02
Positive Air Shutoff Devices on Diesel Engines

Please find attached Safety Advisory SA 2015-02.

The National Energy Board (NEB or Board) expects regulated companies to demonstrate a proactive commitment to continual improvement in safety, security and environmental protection, and to promote a positive safety culture as part of their management systems.

Safety Advisories are issued periodically in order to improve the oil and gas industry’s awareness of an identified safety or environmental concern with the goal of preventing incidents from occurring. A Safety Advisory also serves to further highlight NEB requirements, and conveys the Board’s expectation that regulated companies take appropriate action to mitigate any potential impacts to people or the environment.

The Board expects this advisory to be widely circulated to company personnel and contractors involved in the control of potential ignition sources in areas where flammable/explosive gases may be present on the pipeline systems and facilities of NEB-regulated companies.

The NEB uses its enforcement tools to obtain compliance, deter future non-compliance, and prevent harm by using the most appropriate method available. Enforcement tools available to the NEB include, but are not limited to, Notices of Non-Compliance, Inspection Officer Orders, Board-issued Safety Orders, Administrative Monetary Penalties, revocation of a company’s authorization to operate and prosecution.

If you have any questions regarding this advisory please contact the Board at 1-800-899-1265.

Yours truly,

Original signed by L. George for

Sheri Young
Secretary of the Board

Attachment

Safety Advisory
NEB SA 2015-02
January  2015

Positive Air Shutoff Devices on Diesel Engines

Background

In 2014, the National Energy Board (NEB) conducted several routine facility safety inspections initiated by the NEB’s Compliance Verification Program. These inspections exposed non-compliances which have the potential to significantly impact worker safety and infrastructure integrity.

The non-compliances revealed diesel powered vehicles/equipment were being utilized in areas where flammable/explosive vapours may be present without adequate controls in place to prevent the vapours from entering the engine and causing a fire or explosion. Although procedures may have been in place to direct the use of positive air shutoff devices on diesel powered vehicles/equipment, the procedures were inadequate to effectively manage the risk and/or were not adequately understood by the responsible individuals. In some cases it was observed that equipment checklists did not specify the testing of the functionality of positive air shutoff devices.

The NEB is raising these concerns so industry can be proactive in verifying they meet the requirements of their safety programs and applicable regulations relating to the control of potential ignition sources.

The NEB uses its enforcement tools to obtain compliance, deter future non-compliance, and prevent harm by using the most appropriate method available. Enforcement tools available to the NEB include, but are not limited to, Notices of Non-Compliance, Inspection Officer Orders, Board-issued Safety Orders, Administrative Monetary Penalties, revocation of a company’s authorization to operate and prosecution.

Preventive Actions

The following preventive actions are recommended:

• evaluate any existing procedures and revise or develop applicable, current and relevant procedures;
• utilize the hierarchy of controls in determining positive shutoff equipment requirements;
• ensure the procedures address the method for confirming the functionality of positive air shutoff equipment prior to entering a hazardous worksite;
• ensure responsible persons are adequately trained; and
• conduct inspections, testing and maintenance pursuant to the schedule outlined in procedures or according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Further Information

If you have any questions regarding this advisory please contact Safety Management personnel at the NEB through our toll free number at 1-800-899-1265.

Date modified:

2020-09-29