Choosing a pipeline services vendor involves more than comparing pricing and availability.
The qualifications of the people performing the work, a company’s approach to safety and compliance, and the expertise avaiable on the job site can all have an impact on how a project is executed.
Before selecting a vendor for your next pipeline services project, here are four questions worth asking.
1. Are you DOT compliant?
If a vendor will be transporting the machinery and equipment required for your project, ask whether they have the appropriate DOT requirements and certifications in place.
This is an important question to ask before the work begins—not after equipment is already on the road or at your job site.
Why does it matter?
Noncompliance can lead to safety risks and project delays. Asking about compliance upfront can help ensure your vendor is prepared to handle the transportation requirements associated with the work.
Ask your vendor:
“Are you DOT compliant, and do you have the required certifications to transport the equipment needed for my project?”
2. Are the personnel assigned to my project OQ qualified?
Rather than simply asking whether a company has OQ-qualified employees, ask specifically about the personnel who will be assigned to your project.
Why does it matter?
Operator Qualification (OQ) is an important part of maintaining safe, qualified personnel in the field. You want to understand who will be performing the work and whether they have the qualifications appropriate for the tasks they will be performing.
Ask your vendor:
“Are the personnel assigned to my project OQ qualified?”
It’s a straightforward question, but one that can provide important insight into how a vendor approaches field qualifications and safety.
3. What is your safety record?
Safety should be part of the vendor conversation before work begins—not something discussed only after an incident occurs.
Some areas to discuss include:
- Safety procedures and training
- Incident history
- Overall safety performance
Why does it matter?
A vendor’s safety history can provide insight into how the company approaches the people, equipment and environments involved in its work.
Ask your vendor:
“What are your safety practices, training and incident history?”
A reputable vendor should be prepared to discuss its approach to safety and the standards it expects its employees to follow.
4. Who will be on my job site?
This is one of the easiest questions to overlook.
When you’re hiring a pipeline services company, you may focus on what the company will do. But it’s just as important to understand who will actually be doing the work.
Ask your vendor:
“Who will be on my job site, and what are their qualifications? Will my project be handled by technicians, engineers, or a combination of personnel?”
Why does it matter?
When conditions change or unexpected issues arise, you want someone on site with the expertise to assess the situation and respond appropriately.
The right questions can make a difference
When evaluating a pipeline services vendor, the lowest price or fastest availability doesn’t tell you everything you need to know.
Before your next project, take the time to ask about:
- DOT compliance.
- OQ qualifications.
- Safety record.
- The qualifications of the people who will be on site.
The right vendor should welcome these questions—and be able to give you clear answers.
At Pipeline Conditioning, we believe qualified people, field expertise, safety and integrity are fundamental to the work we do.
Before you choose your next pipeline services vendor, make sure you’re asking who you’re trusting with the work.
