british columbia safety authority keeping you safe

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1 important safety information inside british columbia safety authority keeping you safe

2 We re here for you The British Columbia Safety Authority is an independent, business-focused company that provides essential services to business, industry, institutions and the general public to make BC a safe place to live, work and play. Whether we re certifying a gas fitter, issuing an operating permit for a new boiler or inspecting a homeowner s wiring, we re working to keep you safe. We provide a wide range of services to customers throughout British Columbia, including: certifying individuals and licensing contractors to meet regulatory requirements, educating the public about safety issues, inspecting technical work and equipment, investigating incidents, issuing permits, reviewing regulations for each industry area we oversee, registering new equipment designs and leading the way in improving the safety system across Canada. The BC Safety Authority is a self-sustaining not-for-profit corporation. This means that the fees we charge for certificates of qualification, permits, inspections and other services are reinvested in programs that enhance BC s safety system. We re guided by the principles of impartiality, integrity, fairness and a duty to protect. british columbia safety authority

3 Electricity From issuing permits for rewiring a home to certifying electrical contractors, our Electrical Safety Program oversees all aspects of electrical safety in BC. Issuing permits is a big part of our job. Homeowners need to apply for a permit before carrying out electrical work in their single-family homes, while contractors require permits when working on residential, commercial or industrial applications. Each year across BC, we issue more than 40,000 installation and operating permits for homeowners and contractors from basic installation permits for replacing electrical wiring as part of a home renovation to major new installations and operating permits for large industrial facilities. We verify that electrical work meets safety codes and standards. Our Safety Officers inspect electrical work carried out by homeowners, and we use a riskbased approach to reviewing work performed by professional contractors. We re also here to ensure that those individuals performing electrical work in BC are qualified to do so. Applicants who have the necessary qualifications and pass a written exam administered by us are issued a Field Safety Representative Certificate of Qualification authorizing them to accept the responsibility for installing, maintaining, operating and repairing electrical products. british columbia safety authority

4 Gas The use of natural gas, propane and landfill gases to heat our homes, power pulp mills and keep greenhouses warm in the cool winter months is increasing across BC. Our Gas Safety Program is designed to ensure that these fuels are delivered and used safely. The Gas Safety Program oversees the safety of the gas distribution system and regulates natural gas and propane installations in residences, commercial establishments and industrial facilities. We issue more than 20,000 installation permits each year to people doing gas work from a homeowner hooking up a new gas range to licensed contractors installing propane systems in vehicles or maintaining industrial facilities that run on natural gas. To ensure that work meets safety codes, our Safety Officers inspect work carried out by homeowners and use a risk-based approach when inspecting contractor work. Our role also includes certifying gas trade professionals. Each year, hundreds of individuals write our exam to receive the certificate of qualification enabling them to work in the gas trade in BC. These certificates must be renewed every three years. As new fuels emerge, we re here to help develop new safety codes. For instance, we re part of a national effort to establish safety regulations for using hydrogen as a potential fuel source for vehicles. british columbia safety authority

5 Boilers, pressure vessels and refrigeration units By licensing contractors, issuing permits and completing inspections, we ensure the safe operation of pressure equipment including high and low pressure boilers, water heaters, refrigeration units (such as ice rinks and cold storage warehouses) and fired and unfired pressure vessels. This equipment can be found in hospitals, schools, office towers and industrial facilities. We ensure pressure equipment in BC is built to an accepted design, and installed and operated as required by the regulations and adopted codes. Before any new pressure equipment can be certified, we verify that it meets current safety regulations. Each year, we review and register more than 3,000 new boiler and pressure vessel designs. Only licensed contractors can obtain permits to install or maintain certified boilers, pressure vessels and refrigeration units. Each year, we administer more than 3,000 exams to certify qualified individuals as power engineers and pressure welders. Once a contractor receives a contractor s licence, they can apply to us for installation permits. We complete regular inspections of pressurized equipment to ensure it s being operated in a safe manner and to identify and mitigate any potential safety risks. Our database contains more than 70,000 boilers and pressure vessels that are registered as operating in BC. Our province is also home to many companies that manufacture pressure equipment such as industrial digesters for pulp mills and hot water boilers. We are authorized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers to inspect this equipment and verify that it meets safety codes in BC and for export to other jurisdictions. british columbia safety authority

6 Elevators and escalators BC has more than 20,000 elevators and escalators from elevators in high-rise buildings and escalators in malls, to moving walkways, specially designed lifts for the disabled, personnel hoists on buildings under construction, and freight elevators for moving heavy equipment. Well before an elevator or escalator is installed, we ve reviewed and registered the initial designs to ensure that the proposed unit meets safety regulations. Our Safety Officers then go into the field to verify that each new unit is operating safely and meets standards and requirements. They also conduct periodic inspections of operating units and investigate incidents. If you re a commercial property owner, you re required by law to have your elevator and escalator regularly inspected and maintained by registered contractors. We register these contractors ensuring that individuals working with elevating equipment are qualified to do regulated work. We re also working to educate the public about elevating device safety issues to help prevent incidents. The is partnering with the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation of Canada to educate students in grade two and seniors about elevator and escalator safety. british columbia safety authority

7 Railways The oversees the safety of provincially certified railways that operate within BC including common carrier railways (such as the Southern Railway of British Columbia), industrial railways and commuter railways (like the SkyTrain in the Lower Mainland). Provincial railways must meet strict safety regulations, rules and standards. In order to receive an operating permit, railways are required to meet the requirements of the Safety Management Systems Regulations by presenting a document or plan that outlines how they are operating and maintaining their railways in a safe manner. Our Safety Officers carry out a compliance program consisting of audits and inspections to certify that a railway s operations including equipment, track, operations and signals are being conducted and maintained safely. We are also involved in monitoring proposed new commuter lines, such as the Canada Line under construction for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. british columbia safety authority 11

8 Amusement rides From the largest roller coaster to the smallest merry-go-round, we re making sure that all amusement rides in the province are installed and operated safely. We re responsible for verifying the safe installation and operation of amusement rides in BC. Our Safety Officers review the technical safety information and inspect new ride installations and conduct operational audits on existing ride installations to confirm that they are being operated in accordance with provincial safety regulations. Amusement ride operators are required by regulation to submit operator training plans for our review. The BC Safety Authority is also responsible for overseeing the safety of recreational railways in the province from miniature 10-inch gauge trains to historical steam locomotives. british columbia safety authority 13

9 Passenger ropeways BC boasts some of the world s best and most popular ski hills. Our Passenger Ropeway Safety Program oversees the safety of reversible tramways, gondolas, chairlifts, t-bars, rope tows and passenger conveyors used each day by thousands of people across the province. Our Safety Officers are responsible for inspecting more than 225 passenger ropeways at nearly 50 locations throughout BC. If we identify any potential hazards, we require contractors to repair the equipment and/ or change procedures to minimize risk. Passenger ropeway operators must be trained by certified instructors. We collaborate with the Canada West Ski Areas Association and Selkirk College in Nelson to deliver the Train the Trainer and Ski Lift Mechanic courses. We issue certificates of qualification to those individuals who meet our requirements. british columbia safety authority 15

10 Questions? Contact us! Lower Mainland Region Lew Rogers regional manager Langley, BC Telephone (604) Southern Interior Region Pearse Walsh regional manager Kelowna, BC Telephone (250) Northern Interior Region Mike Presley regional manager Prince George Telephone (250) Vancouver Island Region David Haskins regional manager Victoria, BC Telephone (250) At the British Columbia Safety Authority, we have made a commitment to use sustainable and environmentally conscious printing practices. This report uses paper containing 20% recycled fibres made from at least 10% post-consumer waste. The paper is also elemental chlorine free, acid free and archival. By using this paper we have reduced air and water pollution, energy use and chemical waste. Vicky Barr-Humphries vice president, client safety services New Westminster, BC Telephone (604) Vicky.Barr-Humphries@safetyauthority.ca Roger Young leader, public affairs New Westminster, BC Telephone (604) Roger.Young@safetyauthority.ca

11 British Columbia Safety Authority Suite th Street New Westminster, BC V3L 5B3 Toll Free safe (7233)