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.

OQ Historical Data

The Operator Qualification (OQ) Program stems from a Congressional mandate in 1992 and continues through present Pipeline Safety Acts.

• OQ History
• Legacy OQ Inspection Form-14
• Legacy OQ Inspection Form-15
• Public Meetings
• Additional OQ Information
• White Paper: Requalification vs. Reevaluation
• OQ Rule - Preamble Language vs. Enforcement Criteria (Conflict Resolution)
• Safety-Related Conditions vs. Abnormal Operating Conditions
• Resolution of Key Implementation Issues

The following information is to assist Federal and state pipeline inspectors who are evaluating operators' OQ program.

OQ PPTs, Inspection Issues and Stats

• OQ Audit Issue 8-13-01
• OQ Update 2005: OQ Rules
• OQ Implementation Issues (2003)
• OPS Public Meeting on OQ (2004)
• Protocol Summary Statistics (2005)
• Top OQ Issues to Date (2004)