Improving natural gas pipeline safety outreach through actionable insights
Success Stories | Energy

Improving natural gas pipeline safety outreach through actionable insights

Business Issue

An energy client sought to undertake vital research on RP 1162 regulations mandated by the government every four years for companies operating underground natural gas pipelines.

To ensure the safety of the public they serve, RP 1162 challenges these companies to actively engage the following communities about pipeline safety policies and procedures:

  • Residents and businesses located in the general vicinity of the pipelines
  • Residents who live close to the pipelines
  • Public and government officials committed to community safety
  • First responders
  • Excavators responsible for groundwork

What We Did

We began by using zip codes linked to the client’s network of underground pipelines, which traversed eight states, to develop a representative population sample for the affected public. Then, we gathered phone numbers that aligned with the client-supplied addresses to ensure comprehensive outreach and engagement with all stakeholders.

Conducting the study through a phone survey, we evaluated stakeholders’:

  • Level of awareness of the gas safety brochure the client sent.
  • Understanding of safe practices when in proximity to pipelines.
  • Knowledge of the steps to take in case of an emergency, i.e., a gas leak.

Result

Our client demonstrated a strong commitment to the RP 1162 government regulations, reflecting diligence and integrity in their operations thanks to the meticulous research we delivered.

Our findings revealed varying levels of stakeholder awareness of our client’s natural gas pipeline safety brochure and proactive efforts to share this information within communities.

Uncovering messages that needed improvement, our client enhanced its communication for greater impact and performed a strategic evaluation of mailing brochures versus other outreach methods (such as television, radio, digital media and community sponsorships) to ensure its ongoing communication efforts resonate powerfully with stakeholders, fostering confidence, preparedness and decisiveness when it matters most.

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