How does Integrity First work?
Our members understand that in order to reach our goal of zero incidents, there needs to be a true commitment to collaboration. Only by working together can we ensure that our actions lead to measurable improvement.
Six stages to ensure steady progress
The Integrity First cycle ensures that each priority is put through a six-stage cycle that is supported by CEPA and built on a solid foundation of strategic communications and change management. Integrity First brings a systematic approach enabling member companies to collaborate for the benefit of the entire industry. Following the Integrity First cycle, members identify opportunities to improve, implement change, review results and repeat.
- Integrity First priority identification: Priorities, such as pipeline integrity management or emergency management, are identified through research and feedback gathered from the public and industry.
- Guidance document design and development: Subject matter experts from CEPA member companies come together to outline criteria that improve the industry overall. The criteria progresses through maturity levels for a specific priority area.
- Self-assessment: Member companies use the guidance document to assess their current systems, processes and practices within this priority area.
- Third-party verification: Third party verification is conducted to increase trust, credibility, consistency of the company and industry.
- Action planning for continual improvement: Consolidated self-assessment results are analyzed, for each priority, to identify potential areas of improvement and to share leading practices among members. Action plans are developed to improve performance. CEPA facilitates the execution of action plans including the sharing of leading practices.
- Reporting: Members, through CEPA Integrity First, will regularly report on their performance and activities in this area to increase the accountability and transparency of the industry with the Canadian public.
This process is repeated and refined for each priority, providing a collaborative and structured approach to industry-wide continuous improvement. Integrity First doesn’t replace existing management systems at companies, but rather, helps CEPA members accelerate learning and adoption of leading practices.
Integrity First priorities
Through Integrity First, CEPA members work together to continuously improve their operations in 10 key priority areas that are important to Canadians and the industry.
- Emergency management – Being well prepared to quickly and effectively respond to pipeline incidents
- Pipeline integrity – Designing, constructing, inspecting and maintaining pipeline systems to protect people and the environment
- Control room management – Enhancing the safe and reliable operation and continuous monitoring of pipeline systems
- Damage prevention – Working with landowners, communities and industry to avoid unintentional impacts to pipelines
- Water protection – Preserving water quality and the aquatic environment
- Safety management – Protecting workers and the public during pipeline construction and operations
- Security – Safeguarding workers, the public, pipeline systems and property from threats
- Environmental stewardship – Preserving the land, atmosphere and wildlife through sustainable environmental approaches
- Indigenous relations – Building respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples to foster mutual understanding
- Land use and access – Working productively with landowners to limit land-use impacts and improve access to pipeline rights-of-way
To learn more about how these priorities translate into actions, review our 2018 Transmission Pipeline Industry Performance Report.
