Members of the public: What to expect from operator public awareness programs

Members of the public: What to expect from operator public awareness programs

If you searched for pipelines and this website popped up, welcome! Pipelines run through – and connect communities. Therefore, communication with community members is important to our commitment to safety and engagement.

The information within the site guides pipeline operators, who are required by federal law through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, to provide pipeline safety awareness information to various stakeholder groups, including the affected public.

As a public member, you want to feel safe living and working near pipelines. The pipeline industry takes safety seriously in preventing incidents in protecting communities and the environment. Each operator has several programs, including a public awareness program, which shares safety messaging directly with the public. These programs are documented and audited. Here’s some of the information you may receive from pipeline operators in or near your communities:

• How to contact the operator or find additional information on their pipeline system
• How to determine the product(s) transported in a nearby pipeline and potential hazards associated with the product(s)
• Signs of a potential leak and what to do if you see a sign
• The importance of preventing damage to pipelines, mainly through digging activities, as most pipelines are underground
• The steps to prevent damage to pipelines, as well as when and how to report any suspected damage to a pipeline (including dents, nicks, or scratches to the coating)
• Information on Call 811 – Know what’s below. Call before you dig.
• Description of pipeline markers and where you may see markers

Operators deliver messaging through various channels such as printed brochures, wallet cards, social media, billboards, radio ads, and more. If you receive information in the mail, keeping it is a good idea so it can be referred to quickly.

Although some links are embedded above, you can also learn more about pipelines from Pipeline Safety Trust (pstrust.org) and Pipeline Safety Info [National Pipeline Mapping System].