Pipeline Safety Management Systems (PSMS)
Altamira has developed a program and processes that integrate an engineering and technical team to assist companies in achieving and maintaining industry engineering, safety and regulatory compliance requirements.
Elements Supporting API RP 1173
- Management Preparedness and Response
- Incident Investigation and Continuous Improvement
- Documentation and Recordkeeping
- Competence, Awareness and Training
- Safety Assurance
- Risk Management
- Leadership, Management and Stockholder Engagement and Commitment
- Operational Controls
Our Pipeline Safety Management Systems program creates a seamless set of site-specific processes to safely operate and maintain your pipeline and pipeline facilities compliance requirements. This compliance program is a management system developed for controlling physical risks. When fully implemented, it will protect your employees, the public and the environment, and ensure that risks are managed and mitigated effectively.
At the request of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pipeline industry, through the American Petroleum Institute (API) and partnership with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), initiated the API Recommended Practice (RP) 1173, Pipeline Safety Management Systems (PSMS). As a responsible organization in the pipeline industry, it is our goal to maintain the highest integrity and safety standards while maintaining an effective management program. All operators are responsible for ensuring an effective safety management system, and safety system measures are in place to protect communities, the environment and our workforce.
Developing these recommended practices, programs and processes takes effort and experience. In keeping with industry lessons learned and past experiences, a collective group of industry experts have come together to develop a detailed “risk-centric” and continuous improvement and change management process to support the pipeline industry’s objectives, values and goals. The development and implementation of such a program can be challenging for any company to undertake. With the NTSB pushing to implement this program, the American Petroleum Institute developed API RP 1173 to enhance the safety performance of pipeline operations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pipeline Safety Management Systems
Full implementation of a Pipeline SMS typically takes two to four years, depending on the operator’s size, existing program maturity and organizational resources. The process begins with a gap assessment against API RP 1173, followed by phased implementation of priority elements, training and integration into existing operations and compliance programs.
API RP 1173 identifies nine core elements: leadership and management commitment, stakeholder engagement, risk management, operational controls, incident investigation, emergency preparedness and response, safety assurance, management of change and continuous improvement. These elements work together to create a comprehensive safety management framework.
Traditional compliance programs focus on meeting specific regulatory requirements. An SMS takes a systems-thinking approach, identifying hazards proactively, managing risk systematically and learning from near-misses and incidents before they become failures. SMS creates a safety culture where all employees understand their role in preventing incidents, not just checking regulatory boxes.
API RP 1173 is a recommended practice, not a federal mandate, though PHMSA has strongly encouraged pipeline operators to adopt SMS principles and indicated its intent to incorporate SMS elements into future rulemaking. Many operators proactively implement SMS because it demonstrates operational maturity, improves safety outcomes and positions them favorably with regulators and insurers.
A Pipeline Safety Management System (SMS) is a structured, proactive approach to managing pipeline safety that integrates safety into all aspects of business operations. Based on API Recommended Practice 1173, it establishes leadership commitment, risk management processes, incident investigation, safety assurance and continuous improvement frameworks to advance pipeline safety beyond minimum regulatory compliance.
