Underground Infrastructure - February 2023 - 21

Parker: I was always very interested in
safety, as well as training. As part of the
safety role, I was able to do a lot of training
and I oversaw the OQ Program at the
time. In the '80s and early '90s in the pipeline
industry, there wasn't as big a focus
on safety as there is now, but our industry
has improved dramatically over the last
20 years with safety and quality being a
core value of our industry.
UI: You've been very focused on
safety and quality management
systems. Before we get into
details, could you provide a little
context to explain what these
are and why they matter?
Parker: One management system I think
most people have heard of would be ISO
9001, which is an internationally recognized
quality management system used
by the auto industry for many decades to
improve quality and streamline processes.
About seven years ago, API came out
with API 1173, which is a safety management
system for pipelines. It incorporates
everything from worker and public safety
to the integrity safety of the pipeline asset,
from the planning stages of the project
through construction and commissioning
and maintaining the asset.
I saw years ago that this was a path
that the pipeline industry really should
go. Th at's the same time the DCA
formed a committ ee and we put together
the pipeline safety management systems
(PSMS) template with the goal that
DCA contractors who did not have management
systems could use this template
and build their own. It's been very widely
and positively received.
This has been a five or six-year effort,
and the DCA is leading the way on
this from a pipeline contractors' perspective.
I'm really proud of the decision
DCA made stepping forward years
ago and our success with the PSMS
template initiative.
UI: Has this been a major focus
for you as DCA president?
Parker: Yes, really this year I focused a lot
on PSMS. We've been working with other
associations, and that's really something
that I started before I became the president.
Th e DCA put together the PSMS
template that we published two years ago,
and that template has gained a lot of momentum.
Th is year, as I mentioned, we've
been working with API and the PSMS
Industry Team on the API PSMS contractor
guideline and are now starting to work
on diff erent tools that contractors can use
to integrate PSMS systems into their companies.
We're essentially working toward
the same goals with other associations to
have a common focus on PSMS.
We've been holding PSMS panel discussions
jointly with AGA at the spring
DCA/AGA Workshop for several years,
which shows we're all on the same journey.
Earlier this year, API - which developed
1173 - draſt ed a contractor's guideline
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Underground Infrastructure - February 2023

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