The Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations contain requirements relating to pipelines, for purposes of health and safety.

2.  Save as indicated below, or in the case of regulation 19(2), the requirements in these Regulations are imposed on the “operator”, defined in regulation 2(1), which also contains other definitions.

3.  Regulation 3 and Schedule 1 define “pipeline” for the purposes of the Regulations.

4.  Regulation 4 provides for the application of the Regulations. In particular, paragraph (1) has the effect that they apply in Great Britain, and to pipelines and certain activities in territorial waters adjacent to Great Britain or in the United Kingdom sector of the continental shelf.

5.  The Regulations require—

(a)that a pipeline be designed to withstand the expected strains and processes (regulation 5);

(b)the provision of safety systems necessary for health and safety (regulation 6);

(c)that a pipeline be so designed that it may be examined and maintained with safety (regulation 7);

(d)that a pipeline be constructed of suitable materials (regulation 8);

(e)that a pipeline be so constructed and installed that it is sound and fit for its purpose (regulation 9);

(f)that work on a pipeline is carried out in such a way that its integrity will not be prejudiced (regulation 10);

(g)that the safe operating limits of a pipeline be established and not exceeded, save for testing (regulation 11);

(h)that adequate arrangements be made for dealing with incidents and emergencies involving a pipeline (regulation 12);

(i)that a pipeline be maintained in good repair (regulation 13);

(j)that a disused pipeline be left in a safe condition; and that work for that purpose be performed safely (regulation 14);

(k)that no person cause such damage to a pipeline as may give rise to danger (regulation 15);

(l)that reasonable steps be taken to draw attention to the presence of a pipeline (regulation 16);and

(m)that operators of different parts of a pipeline co-operate with each other so far as necessary to enable them to comply with these Regulations (regulation 17).

6.  In relation to a “major accident hazard pipeline” (defined by regulation 18 by reference to its conveying a dangerous fluid, a fluid described in Schedule 2), the Regulations contain requirements—

(a)for an emergency shut-down valve, where it is connected to an offshore oil or gas installation (regulation 19 and Schedule 3);

(b)for specified information to be notified to the Health and Safety Executive in specified circumstances (regulations 20 to 22 and Schedules 4 and 5);

(c)to prepare, and follow arrangements and procedures described in, a document containing specified information (regulation 23);

(d)to establish procedures to be followed in an emergency (regulation 24); and

(e)for a local authority to prepare a plan to cope with an emergency from such pipeline in its area, and containing other provision, including provision for a local authority to charge reasonable fees for preparing, reviewing and revising the plan (regulations 25 and 26).

7.  The Regulations also—

(a)contain transitional provision (regulation 27);

(b)provide a defence for their contravention (regulation 28);

(c)provide for the issue of certificates of exemption by the Health and Safety Executive (regulation 29); and

(d)repeal certain provisions of the Pipe-Lines Act 1962, and revoke or modify certain instruments (regulations 30 and 31 and Schedule 6).

8.  A copy of the compliance cost assessment prepared in respect of these Regulations can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive, Safety Policy Division Branch E, Room 224, Magdalen House, Trinity Road, Bootle, Merseyside L20 3QZ. A copy has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament.