What is the MECP Certificate?

Pipeline operators can boost productivity, prevent accidents and ensure legal compliance by employing well-qualified personnel who perform their work diligently. However, this precaution isn't always as simple as it sounds. A manager must know how to thoroughly evaluate staff members before determining if they have the right abilities, expertise and priorities. Fortunately, the MECP certificate program offers a quick, effective way to train personnel evaluators. It helps companies comply with parts 192 and 195 of Title 49 in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Training Course

An individual can attend the class and earn a Master Evaluator certificate in a single day. Instructors teach enrollees about the steps they need to take before, during and after each evaluation. They learn how to consistently document each performance assessment by producing and organizing records that comply with federal law. Students gain a full understanding of the evaluation requirements associated with Title 49 parts 192 and 195.

Attendees don't merely listen to an instructor talk about these concepts. To earn MECP certificates, they must practice evaluating pipeline personnel and documenting their work. Students also learn about the rules, expectations and guidelines that apply to a master evaluator. They discover how to respond in a constructive, professional manner when a worker doesn't meet vital performance standards. Additionally, the course briefly informs attendees about the history of energy and its most important events.

Relevant Laws

When employees have the proper qualifications and perform their jobs well, companies can often avoid pipeline failures. This prevents loss of life, environmental harm and property damage. Consequently, federal regulations require operators to carefully evaluate personnel and prove that they have done so. Part 192 of CFR Title 49 establishes safety rules for gas pipelines and storage facilities. Section 192.805 calls upon operators to verify the credentials of workers who complete certain tasks.

It also requires personnel records that identify qualified employees, the types of work they can perform and the methods used to confirm their qualifications. Part 195 covers pipelines carrying carbon dioxide or hazardous fluids. It includes rules on accident reporting, facility deactivation and line mapping. Like Part 192, it contains a section governing personnel qualifications. Part 195 states that employers may use oral or written exams, performance reviews or observation to evaluate staff.

Training Methods

Supervisors can learn how to follow these rules by enrolling in Energy Worldnet's Master Evaluator Certificate Program. A new training option has made it feasible to attend the course from almost any location. The first EWN real-time online class took place in April 2020. Since then, Energy Worldnet has scheduled remote trainings regularly. This makes it convenient for individuals throughout the U.S., Mexico, South America and Canada to earn the MECP certificate.

It remains possible to attend EWN's classes in person as well. They're held at the company office in Decatur, Texas and may take place at other locations from time to time. The courses typically start in the morning and last nine hours. Attendees learn the latest evaluation techniques, rules and strategies in an engaging and efficient manner.

Staying Up-to-Date

Pipeline industry practices and federal law change from time to time, so it's essential to continue studying them. The U.S. government enacted an important update to these regulations in 2002. It decided that operators could no longer fully evaluate personnel by assessing the history of their job performance. Employers had to begin using at least one other method. Two years later, regulators changed the law again in a similar way. The new rule barred supervisors from only using direct observation to assess staff performance.

Energy Worldnet's evaluator training program helps ensure that managers stay up-to-date. To prevent their certificates from expiring, graduates must periodically attend a recertification course. This class takes less time than the original training; it only lasts four hours. Keep in mind that an individual will need to enroll in the longer initial certification program if his or her MECP certificate expires for more than 90 days.

This course proves valuable for company trainers, supervisors, proctors and foremen. It simplifies the process of determining if employees meet crucial performance and qualification standards. Pipeline operators can benefit from turning to Energy Worldnet for effective certification programs. It has more than 25 years of experience in providing energy-related consulting, record-keeping and training services. To discover how your business could use the MECP certificate program to consistently maximize safety and job performance, please contact EWN today.