19Initial audit of safety and operating plans

19 Initial audit of safety and operating plans

19 Initial audit of safety and operating plans

(1) A safety and operating plan must, when lodged with the Secretary under section 16, be accompanied by a report on the plan from a nominated auditor that includes a certificate by the auditor that states—

(a) the plan complies with this Regulation, and

(b) the plan is appropriate having regard to the size and complexity of the gas network, subject to the exemptions granted by the Secretary under section 26, and

(c) the following measures are in place—

(i) measures intended to prevent hazardous events identified in the plan from occurring,

(ii) measures intended to protect operating personnel, plant, equipment, the community and the environment if a hazardous event occurs, and

(d) there are properly trained and equipped personnel available to implement the plan.

(2) The Secretary may, on the application of a network operator before the end of the period within which a safety and operating plan must be lodged under section 16, extend, by written notice, the period within which the report must be lodged if—

(a) the network operator provides a report from the nominated auditor indicating the following—

(i) an audit has been carried out,

(ii) a failure to comply with subsection (1)(a), (b), (c) or (d),

(iii) the measures the network operator proposes to take to rectify the non-compliance,

(iv) the period of time within which the network operator has undertaken to rectify the non-compliance, or

(b) the Secretary is otherwise satisfied it is appropriate.