Gas pipeline contractors

Contractors who performs excavation is required to hold 05-07 (Damage Prevention) and OQ-0215 (Installation, Backfill, Compacting) qualifications. In most cases, one qualified individual is required per excavation. Please contact PG&E OQ team if you have more questions about the OQ requirements.

If you install gas lines, you may need additional qualifications IE: OQ-0504 "Non-Production Locate & Mark" OQ-0214 (Tracer Wire), OQ-0403 "Leak Test at Operating Pressure", or OQ-0404 "Pressure test for facilities operating below 100 PSIG or 21-XX & 22-XX" (Pipe Joining Qualifications).

No. Only Approved Preferred Providers (ITS/PGE Authorized Third Party Approved Provider Companies) can administer OQ testing to multiple companies.

GO 112F, a State of California Code, requires new construction tasks to be included as an operator qualification and treated according to CFR 49.192, Subpart N.

PG&E OQ requirements apply to gas specific or joint trench projects (i.e. electric and gas). If the applicant installer performs excavation or trenching for other utilities (electric only, water, sewerage, cable, etc.), NO OQ is required for these projects even though they are trenching within 2' of any gas facilities.

Federal and State regulation (CFR 49.192, Subpart N and GO 112F) require that individuals performing covered tasks on the gas pipeline system or in construction of new gas pipeline facilities that will be connected to the gas pipeline system hold the applicable qualifications at the time of performing the work.

All questions are procedure based and the procedures/reference documents can be found in CORE. To get started with CORE, check the Additional Resources section for CORE Job aids or email CORE@pge.com for help.

Please refer to Guide to Qualification document under additional resources to get more information about required operator qualification.

1. Personnel performing covered tasks must obtain qualification through a PG&E-accepted evaluation method.
2. Qualification exams and evaluations are provided and administered in English.
3. The qualification process evaluates the knowledge, skill and ability of personnel to perform covered tasks using equipment and facilities identical or very similar in operation to the equipment and facilities which personnel will use, or on which personnel perform the covered tasks. The process also evaluates the ability to identify and react to abnormal operating conditions (AOCs).
4. PG&E accepts initial and subsequent qualifications that include one or more of the following evaluation methods:
   1. Written evaluation administered via electronic device (computer-based or digital).
   2. Performance evaluation that includes a knowledge assessment administered by oral or written (paper or digital) method:
      • Observation by simulation
      • Oral evaluation
      • Observation during on-the-job performance (not to be used as a sole evaluation method)
5. When more than one evaluation method is required, all assessments must be completed successfully within 30 days of each other in order to be valid.
6. Successful completion of qualification evaluation requires a score of 100% correct, unless otherwise noted in test criteria documentation.
7. The evaluation process is independent of the training process.
8. Training or coaching is not allowed during the evaluation process.
9. PG&E evaluators are approved through the PG&E Gas Qualifications Department.
   1. Personnel who will be evaluated in a calendar year are not allowed to participate as a PG&E evaluator in that same calendar year until after successfully completing all required qualification evaluations.

1. For all Operator qualifications, please refer to the Guide to Qualification document and 5 MM for OQ intervals under additional resources below for:
   • PG&E employees
   • Company contractors
   • Qualified contractor/applicant installers
2. Personnel may be required to requalify for any covered task before the full term of the qualification.
3. In order to maintain continuity of qualification status, an individual must successfully requalify for a given task before the end of the validity period for that qualification.