API RP 1162

Pipeline operators' public awareness programs help raise awareness of pipelines and associated facilities that exist in or near communities and provide information to stakeholder groups to help keep communities safe.

This recommended practice addresses the development, implementation, evaluation, and documentation of pipeline public awareness programs associated with systems in the United States for distribution, regulated transmission, gathering pipelines, and underground storage that are required under federal or state pipeline safety regulations to have a public awareness program.

It provides minimum requirements and offers guidance to operators to develop public awareness programs that take into account the similarities and differences in pipeline types, release characteristics, stakeholder audiences, operator activities, and other factors that can influence the program's development and implementation.

This document provides operators with public awareness program elements and illustrates the process for establishing, implementing, measuring, and adjusting a program, in alignment with the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) process for managing programs. This recommended practice addresses certain operational changes requiring additional communication based on the introduction of new hazards.

The 3rd edition of RP 1162 builds on industry learnings to clarify definitions for stakeholder audiences; includes language regarding new hazard identification that requires operators to notify stakeholder audiences when new hazards are introduced; and adds language for cooperative programs to allow multiple pipeline operators to coordinate their public awareness
programs for similar products and communities. Additional guidance is also provided on program assessment and evaluation.