A Study on Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Implementation, Initiatives and Constraints in Pipeline Construction Project

Cross Country Pipelines are a unique mode of transportation of certain types of commodities mainly fluids (liquids and gases like crude and refined petroleum products, Natural Gases and Bio-fuels) over long distances at relatively low cost.  The operations are economical, continuous and environmentally friendly. Pipelines are also useful for transporting water for drinking or irrigation over long distances when it needs to move over hills, or where canals or channels are poor choices due to considerations of evaporation, pollution, or environmental impact. Pipelines have relieved the increasing pressure on the existing surface transport system (railways and roadways). Due to above reasons, the transportation by pipeline is highly preferred over traditional modes of transport.

Pipelines Construction, by its peculiar nature, possesses various specific HSE Risks. Risks during initial studies, survey, routing and construction are less predictable and are different depending on topography, local community and culture, the involvement of various stakeholders, weather and climatic conditions, accessibility, socio-political, ecological, technological factors etc.

Pipeline construction activities are hazardous, fast-paced, strenuous and are undertaken simultaneously at remote sites, with limited access making it difficult to monitor and control. These increase the Risks which can affect HSE as well as other Performance Parameters / Objectives of the Project.

However, a well established, strategic, focused application of Health, Safety & Environment programs, its monitoring and mitigation will significantly improve the HSE Performance, safe execution and on schedule completion of the project.