Compliance verification activity type: Field Inspection
Team:
Regulated company: NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd.
Operating company: TransCanada PipeLines Limited
Province(s) / Territory(s):
Discipline(s):
Rationale and scope:
South-East AB compressor stations (Medicine Hat and Red Deer River) - Review of COVID-19 infection prevention program;
Compliance tool(s) used:
Facilities:
Facility Types
Regulatory requirements that apply to this activity:
Observation 1 - General Observations-Red Deer River Compressor Station
Date & time of visit: 2020-06-18 13:00
Discipline: Safety Management
Categories:
Facility:
Observations:
For details on TC's Covid mitigation measures, see "infection prevention" observation.
NGTL provided a site specific orientation and completed Job Safety Analysis. Sign in and out procedures were in place. CER inspectors observed that signs with the company name, emergency phone number, signage warning of hazards and PPE requirements, and non-smoking signs were posted at the site main entrance. The compressor station is fenced with several egress gates in addition to the main site access. The wind sock on site was in good condition and highly visible. There are two compressor buildings with each building housing a compressor unit. The product is non-sour dry natural gas. The compressor building is equipped with gas detection. At 10% of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL), an alarm is initiated, and the building ventilation is started. At 40% LEL, a station Emergency Shutdown (ESD) is initiated. A station ESD shuts down the compressor units, isolates and blows down the station. The compressor building is also equipped with fire detection. Upon fire detection, a station ESD is initiated and the ventilation is stopped. There was 4 cranes in the compressor building and log books were present and filled out. Cranes had valid certifications. There is an alternate source of power onsite which is capable of operating the ESD system, including closing the station isolation valves and opening the blow down valves during a power loss event. The station is equipped with station ESD push buttons located at several locations on site, including near the emergency exits. There are unit ESD push buttons located outside the compressor unit buildings. A unit ESD shuts down the compressor unit, isolates and blows down the unit. The electrical room had warning signs for high voltage and labels warning of electrical shock and arc flash hazards were present on the electrical panels. The building was clean and free of obstructions. Piping was color coded and labelled with arrows for the direction of flow.
Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used
Observation 2 - General Observation - Medicine Hat Compressor Station
Date & time of visit: 2020-06-19 08:30
NGTL provided a site specific orientation and completed Job Safety Analysis. Sign in and out procedures were in place. CER inspectors observed that signs with the company name, emergency phone number, signage warning of hazards and PPE requirements, and non-smoking signs were posted at the site main entrance. The compressor station is fenced with several egress gates in addition to the main site access. The wind sock on site was in good condition and highly visible. A compressor building houses a compressor unit. The product is non-sour dry natural gas. The compressor building is equipped with gas detection. At 10% of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL), an alarm is initiated, and the building ventilation is started. At 40% LEL, a station Emergency Shutdown (ESD) is initiated. A station ESD shuts down the compressor units, isolates and blows down the station. The compressor building is also equipped with fire detection. Upon fire detection, a station ESD is initiated and the ventilation is stopped. There is an alternate source of power onsite which is capable of operating the ESD system, including closing the station isolation valves and opening the blow down valves during a power loss event. The station is equipped with station ESD push buttons located at several locations on site, including in close proximity to emergency exits. The electrical room had warning signs for high voltage and labels warning of electrical shock and arc flash hazards were present on the electrical panels. The building was clean and free of obstructions.Piping was color coded and labelled with arrows for the direction of flow.Conducted closing meeting outside practicing social distancing measures.
Observation 3 - Infection Prevention (Covid-19)
CER Inspectors reviewed and discussed TC Energy's Covid-19 Field Work (Outage, Overhaul, Project, Maintenance) Guidance.-There exists a pre-screening COVID-19 infection form that contractors are required to complete prior to gaining site access.-General physical distancing measures are employed at all times between workers on site.-Where physical distancing could not be maintained, contractors and staff utilize a surgical mask and gloves if touching items.-Measures were taken to reduce touch points such as opening all building doors prior to the inspection.-Opening and closing meetings were conducted outside where physical distancing could be respected.
Identified non-compliances to company plans or procedures are non-compliances either to:
- the condition of an authorization document that requires the implementation of that plan or procedure; or
- the relevant section of the regulations that requires implementation of that plan or procedure including those sections that require implementation of plans or procedures as a part of a Program