The Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
22 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Operator 20
- Occupier 1
- Any Person 1
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Supporting — topic alignment
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Operators also bound by 125 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 71 duties
- Payment Services Regulations 2017 2017 41 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 34 duties
- The Quarries Regulations 1999 1999 31 duties
- Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 2015 22 duties
Occupiers also bound by 101 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England/Wales comparison) 2005 23 duties
- Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 2006 21 duties
- Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 2006 15 duties
- Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 2015 13 duties
- Highways Act 1980 1980 12 duties
Any Person also bound by 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 110 duties
- Licensing Act 2003 2003 105 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 97 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 86 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — INTRODUCTION
No sections of this Part have been ingested yet.
Part II — GENERAL
No sections of this Part have been ingested yet.
Part III — MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARD PIPELINES
No sections of this Part have been ingested yet.
Part IV — MISCELLANEOUS
No sections of this Part have been ingested yet.
Schedules
REQUIREMENTS FOR EMERGENCY SHUT-DOWN VALVES ON CERTAIN MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARD PIPELINES CONNECTED TO OFFSHORE INSTALLATIONS
- Install and maintain emergency shut-down valves on offshore pipelines Occupier
Browse 47 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
PIPELINES TO WHICH THESE REGULATIONS DO NOT APPLY
A pipeline for the conveyance of air, water vapour or...
A pipeline for the conveyance of water, other than for...
A pipeline contained wholly within the premises occupied by a...
A pipeline which is contained wholly within land which constitutes...
A pipeline contained wholly within a caravan site.
In this Schedule “caravan” and “caravan site” have the same...
DESCRIPTIONS OF DANGEROUS FLUIDS
A fluid which— (a) is flammable in air;
(1) For the purposes of this Schedule—
A fluid which is flammable in air and is or...
A liquid which has a vapour pressure greater than 1.5...
A toxic or very toxic fluid which—
A toxic fluid which— (a) at 20°C has a saturated...
Acrylonitrile.
A very toxic fluid which— (a) at 20°C has a...
An oxidising fluid which is, or is to be, conveyed...
A fluid which reacts violently with water.
An emergency shut-down valve shall be incorporated in the riser...
An emergency shut-down valve shall be held open by an...
An emergency shut-down valve shall also be capable of being...
If the pipeline is designed to allow for the passage...
An emergency shut-down valve and its actuating mechanism shall so...
An emergency shut-down valve shall be maintained in an efficient...
After an emergency shut-down valve has operated so as to...
In this Schedule “emergency shut-down system” means the system comprising...
PARTICULARS TO BE INCLUDED IN NOTIFICATION RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION OF A MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARD PIPELINE
The name and address of the operator of the pipeline....
The proposed route of the pipeline in the form of...
The proposed route of the riser on any offshore installation,...
The length, diameter and wall thickness of the pipeline.
The materials to be used in the construction of the...
The fluid to be conveyed and such of its properties...
The safe operating limits of the pipeline.
The intended temperature, pressure, and maximum rate of flow of...
PARTICULARS TO BE NOTIFIED BEFORE CERTAIN EVENTS RELATING TO MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARD PIPELINES
In relation to a change to the route or position...
In relation to a change to the safe operating limits...
In relation to the start of major modification or major...
In relation to the conveyance of a new fluid, particulars...
In relation to the start of decommissioning or dismantlement of...
REVOCATION OF INSTRUMENTS
In the definition of “installation” in paragraph (1) of regulation...
In regulation 3 (notification of installations handling hazardous substances) of...
In regulation 4 (updating of the notification following changes in...
In regulation 5 (re-notification where the quantity of a substance...
In Schedule 2 of the 1982 Regulations—
Other sections — not classified into a Part
These sections exist in the Act but the contents-of-Parts walker did not place them under a Part. Likely amendments or sections inserted out of the original Part structure.
Design of a pipeline
- Design pipelines to safely withstand operational and external pressures Operator
Safety systems
- Install and maintain pipeline safety systems Operator
Access for examination and maintenance
- Design pipelines for safe examination and maintenance Operator
Materials
- Use only suitable materials for pipeline fluids Operator
Construction and installation
- Ensure pipelines are safely constructed and fit for purpose Operator
Work on a pipeline
- Ensure safety and integrity of work on pipelines Operator
Operation of a pipeline
- Establish and respect safe operating limits for pipelines Operator
Arrangements for incidents and emergencies
- Establish emergency and incident arrangements for pipelines Operator
Maintenance
- Maintain pipelines in good repair and working order Operator
Decommissioning
- Ensure decommissioned pipelines are left in a safe condition Operator
Damage to pipeline
- Do not damage pipelines in a way that creates danger Any Person
Prevention of damage to pipelines
- Inform people of pipeline locations to prevent damage Operator
Co-operation
- Co-operate with other pipeline operators Operator
Emergency shut-down valves
- Install emergency shut-down valves on offshore-connected pipelines Operator
Notification before construction
- Notify HSE before starting construction of a major accident hazard pipeline Operator
Notification before use
- Notify the HSE before using or restarting a hazardous pipeline Operator
Notification in other cases
- Notify HSE of pipeline operator changes or emergency events Operator
Major accident prevention document
- Prepare and maintain a major accident prevention document for pipelines Operator
Emergency procedures
- Establish and test emergency procedures for major accident hazard pipelines Operator
Emergency plans in case of major accidents
- Provide information to local authorities for pipeline emergency plans Operator
Iron pipelines
- Comply with approved iron pipeline decommissioning programmes Operator
Browse 43 other unclassified sections
Citation and commencement
Citation and commencement
Interpretation
Interpretation
Meaning of “pipeline”
Meaning of “pipeline”
Application
Application
Design of a pipeline
Safety systems
Access for examination and maintenance
Materials
Construction and installation
Work on a pipeline
Operation of a pipeline
Arrangements for incidents and emergencies
Maintenance
Iron pipelines
Decommissioning
Damage to pipeline
Prevention of damage to pipelines
Co-operation
Dangerous fluids
Dangerous fluids
Emergency shut-down valves
Notification before construction
Notification before use
Notification in other cases
Major accident prevention document
Emergency procedures
Emergency plans in case of major accidents
Charge by a local authority for a plan
Charge by a local authority for a plan
Transitional provision
Transitional provision
Defence
Defence
Certificates of exemption
Certificates of exemption
Repeal of provisions of the Pipe-lines Act 1962
Repeal of provisions of the Pipe-lines Act 1962
Revocation and modification of instruments
Revocation and modification of instruments
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Health and Safety Executive
Workplace health, safety, and welfare regulation across all industries. Enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and related regulations. Investigates …
Connected legislation
parent Act
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
Made under
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 1974 Primary Act
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