Transport & Logistics

Operate a pipeline: safety and environmental duties

If you transport products by pipeline, you must notify the HSE before construction, run a written safety management system, and — if you handle hazardous substances above the thresholds — meet the COMAH major-accident regime. Discharges and emissions from pipeline operations also need an environmental permit. This guide covers the pipeline-specific regimes on top of the universal workplace duties in the spine guide.

UK-wide
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UK-wide

Related guides in Health & Safety

This guide is for businesses that transport products by pipeline. Pipelines are regulated primarily for safety by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), with the environment regulator involved where there are discharges, emissions or major-accident risks. The universal workplace duties are in Set up and run a safe land transport operation; this guide covers the pipeline-specific regimes.

The HSE safety regime applies in Great Britain; in Northern Ireland the equivalent duties are enforced by HSENI — check the NI position if that is where your pipeline runs.

A. Pipeline safety notification and management

Under the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996 you must notify the HSE before construction begins and maintain a written safety management system, a major accident prevention policy for major-accident-hazard pipelines, and emergency procedures. The duties cover design, construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning.

B. Major accident hazard pipelines (MAHP) and COMAH

The major-accident regime for the pipeline itself is the Major Accident Hazard Pipelines (MAHP) provisions in Part III of the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996, not COMAH — COMAH 2015 specifically excludes the transport of dangerous substances by pipeline. If your pipeline carries a dangerous fluid (for example, high-pressure natural gas above 8 bar), it is a major accident hazard pipeline: you must notify the HSE, prepare a major accident prevention document and emergency arrangements, and not operate it until you have done so.

The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015 apply separately to any fixed establishment connected to the pipeline — for example a gas storage or processing installation. If you operate such a site above the COMAH thresholds you are a lower-tier (notify) or upper-tier (safety report and on-site emergency plan) operator, with the HSE and the environment regulator as the joint competent authority.

C. Environmental permitting

Emissions, discharges or waste arising from pipeline operations generally require an environmental permit. In England this is from the Environment Agency; the equivalent regulators are SEPA in Scotland, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in Wales, and NIEA in Northern Ireland. Apply before you operate, and check whether your activity is permitted or exempt.

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    What to do next

    Confirm the universal duties in the spine guide are in place, then complete the land transport compliance checklist for the pipeline items.

Official sources

Authoritative guidance for pipeline operators.