Making SMS work in practice: Operator and contractor perspectives on pipeline safety

In this episode, Laurie Knape (Program Manager, API Pipeline Safety Management System Assessments), Jason O'Flaherty (Risk Analyst, Marathon Petroleum) and David Pearce (Manager of Finance and Operations, Parker Stockstill Construction) examine how safety management systems (SMS) function across the pipeline sector. The discussion spans an operator's experience scaling an SMS program, the distinct challenges small and mid-size contractors face in adopting these frameworks and methods for measuring an SMS's impact on safety and operational discipline. Guests also address aligning culture and expectations across operators, contractors and subcontractors, and how industry assessment tools can drive greater consistency sector-wide.