Pipeline accidents and emergencies

Under the Pipelines Regulation 2005, Pipeline Licensees are required to report pipeline related accidents, incidents and emergencies to the Department.

Accidents

If a person is killed or injured as a result of an accident involving the construction, maintenance or operation of a pipeline, the Licensee must notify the Director-General of the Department in writing:

• within 24 hours, in the case of death or serious injury; or
• within 21 days, in any other case.

The notice must specify the nature of the accident and the number of persons killed or injured and, in the case of injured persons, a description of the injuries.

Incidents

Immediately after becoming aware of the uncontrolled escape of or the ignition of any substance being conveyed in a pipeline, the Licensee must notify the Director-General of the Department by facsimile transmission or by telephone.

Then within 7 days after completing any repairs to the pipeline made necessary by the escape or ignition, the Licensee must cause a written report to be sent to the Director-General giving full information as to:

• the time and place of the escape or ignition;
• the approximate quantity of the substance that has escaped;
• the damage, if any, that has resulted from the escape or ignition;
• the conditions that caused or contributed to the escape or ignition, as they become known;
• the nature and description of the repairs that have been carried out and the method that has been adopted to carry out the repairs.

Emergencies

Licensee must notify the Director-General immediately, by facsimile transmission or by telephone, of any event relating to the pipeline that:

• requires the carrying out of emergency procedures under the licensee's Safety and Operating Plan;
• is unplanned and causes a disruption to the operation of a pipeline, or to the conveyance of a product through a pipeline.