News

During 2012, BC Safety Authority (BCSA) took 129 enforcement actions against contractors, equipment owners and others doing work or using regulated equipment in BCSA-regulated technologies.

As part of an ongoing effort by BC Safety Authority to promote compliance with safety standards and legislation, 122 Compliance Orders were issued between January 1 and December 31, 2012 along with 7 monetary penalties.

A Compliance Order is a written document issued by a safety officer requiring that a person take action, stop, and/or modify their regulated work or use of a regulated product in accordance with safety standards and legislation.

Of the monetary penalties imposed in 2012, two were for Elevating, two were for Gas and three were for Electrical. Full details on the 2012 enforcement actions are published on the Safety Authority’s website.

BC Safety Authority is an independent, self-funded organization mandated to oversee the safe installation and operation of technical systems and equipment. In addition to issuing permits, licences and certificates we work with industry to reduce safety risks through assessment, enforcement, research and education.

Media inquiries to:

BC Safety Authority, Media Relations
Tel. 778-396-2164 or media@safetyauthority.ca

BC Safety Authority (BCSA) today released a recommendations report on its investigation into the explosion and fire at Babine Forest Products near Burns Lake BC. This tragic incident occurred January 20, 2012, killing two workers in the mill and injuring twenty more. The sawmill facility itself was destroyed by the explosion and fire.

The recommendations report intends to improve safety in the wood processing industry. The full investigation report is not being released at this time to avoid compromising Crown Counsel’s review of a referral from WorkSafeBC. According to BC Safety Authority President and CEO, Catherine Roome, “we have chosen this approach because it balances our respect for that process with our responsibility for promoting safety.”

BCSA conducted an independent investigation into the incident to assess the installation and operation of regulated technical equipment at the mill. The goal of BCSA’s investigation was to determine whether equipment or work subject to the Safety Standards Act contributed to the incident.

According to Greg Paddon, BCSA Director of Technical Programs, “our aim was to conduct a thorough investigation and learn all we could to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents. Now we can use that knowledge to initiate improvements toward the management of safety risks.”

As a result of the investigation, BCSA has made nine recommendations directed at wood processing facility owners and operators, the BC Office of the Fire Commissioner and the Canadian Standards Association.

“Our recommendations are intended to improve how and by whom hazardous locations are identified, documented, and ultimately managed in order to reduce the risk of this type of incident ever happening again,” says Paddon.

BCSA’s enforcement actions include issuance of two Safety Orders for wood processing facilities. In support of the recommendations, a third Safety Order has been drafted and an industry consultation begins immediately. BCSA has also issued four Compliance Orders related to this incident and is drafting an Information Bulletin to be distributed before the end of the month.

The recommendations report may be accessed at: http://safetyauthority.ca/sites/default/files/babine-recommendations-report-final.pdf

BC Safety Authority is an independent, self‐funded organization mandated to oversee the safe installation and operation of technical systems and equipment. In addition to issuing permits, licences and certificates we work with industry to reduce safety risks through assessment, education and outreach, enforcement, and research.

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Important Links:

Safety Order – Electrical equipment located in sawmills
Safety Order - Electrical equipment located in wood pellet manufacturing plants
Draft Safety Order

Media inquiries, please contact:
BC Safety Authority
Media Relations
Tel. 778-396-2164
media@safetyauthority.ca

The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) continues to conduct independent investigations into the Babine Forest Products and Lakeland Mills incidents. We are currently focused on concluding our investigations and are unable to offer comment on our findings at this time.

In response to these incidents, the BCSA has issued two Safety Orders and continues to work with industry to improve safety while the investigations proceed.

Throughout the investigations, BCSA has worked collaboratively alongside other agencies, including WorkSafe BC, the Office of the Fire Commissioner, the RCMP and the BC Coroners Service. We are aware that WorkSafe BC has announced the completion of their investigations into these incidents with a decision to refer their investigation reports to Crown Counsel.

We expect that the findings of all investigating agencies will contribute to a greater understanding of how these tragedies occurred and the actions needed to prevent them from happening again.

The BC Safety Authority is an independent, self-funded organization mandated to oversee the safe installation and operation of technical systems and equipment. In addition to issuing permits, licences and certificates we work with industry to reduce safety risks through assessment, enforcement, research and education.

The British Columbia Safety Authority (BCSA) is calling on homeowners, businesses, building and strata managers in the province, particularly in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, who may have had gas work performed by Eugene Darling of Gasman Services to contact the BCSA.

The BCSA has identified numerous instances of Mr. Darling leaving hazardous conditions after working on gas appliances such as furnaces and hot water heaters. He is currently prohibited from performing any work related to gas appliances or equipment that is regulated by the BCSA.

“We are asking the public to immediately contact us if you are aware of any work on gas appliances performed by Eugene Darling,” said Eric Skehor, Provincial Gas Safety Manager with the BCSA. “Improper work on gas appliances creates risks such as fire or carbon monoxide poisoning which can be fatal.”

Mr. Darling’s license was suspended in December 2011 after issues were cited in work done in Langley, Surrey and Parksville. Despite further enforcement actions, it was discovered that he had recently performed work in Saanich, Sooke and Colwood. The BCSA cautioned that other businesses which have no involvement in these events may use “Gasman” or a similar name, and this notice is not a reflection of those businesses.

“It’s possible that Mr. Darling has performed work in areas other than those where issues have been raised against him,” said Skehor. “And if those jobs were not inspected, then we need to assess if they were done safely.”

How to report unsafe work to the BC Safety Authority

If you have any information regarding work performed by Eugene Darling, please email info@safetyauthority.ca or call the BCSA at 1-866-566-7233.

There are serious gas and electrical safety implications to consider if you are living or working in an area experiencing flooding. The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) reminds homeowners and businesses to take precautions with gas and electrical appliances when flooding is expected.

“Electrical equipment and gas appliances exposed to flood waters can be dangerous if they are re-energized and used without being properly inspected by a licensed contractor,” says Greg Paddon, Director of Technical Programs for the BC Safety Authority.

“Moisture, debris and contaminants in flood-damaged equipment or appliances can sometimes be hidden and cause serious risks,” adds Paddon.

If flooding is expected and time allows, do the following:

• Have a licensed gas contractor remove gas equipment and systems.
• Have a licensed gas contractor cap the gas pipe leading to appliances.
• Remove electrical appliances.
• Shut off the main gas and electrical supply.
• Secure propane tanks to a stable structure to keep them from floating away.

If there is no advance warning of flooding or a licensed contractor is unavailable:

• Shut off the main gas and electrical supply.
• Ensure that all valves and power knobs on all appliances and systems are turned off.
• Shut off the water leading to and from hot water tanks.
• Secure propane tanks to a stable structure.

Extreme precautions must be taken when returning to a flood-damaged area.

• If you smell natural or propane gas, leave the area immediately and call your gas utility. Natural and propane gas smell like rotten eggs.
• If the main power and gas supply are still turned on, shut them off and do not step on a wet area if you must touch the main electrical panel.
• Do not plug in or turn on any flood-damaged appliance or system. Call licensed gas and electrical contractors to do an inspection first.
• Have a licensed gas contractor reconnect any gas system that was removed.

The British Columbia Safety Authority promotes the safe installation and use of technical equipment. We are a not-for-profit organization. As the Province’s delegated authority, we administer safety standards, enforce compliance, issue permits and licenses, educate, and conduct assessments and onsite inspections – particularly in high-risk situations. We continuously advance the standard of safe practices in BC.

Please read the BC Safety Authority’s Information Bulletin # B-E3 G5 070608 2 Emergency Post Flood Protocol for Re-Energizing Electrical and Gas.

Homeowners may be interested in finding out more information about homeowner gas and electrical safety. Or check if your contractor is licenced by the BCSA and can perform electrical and gas work before and after a flood.

The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) held its annual public meeting today (June 13) to report back on its 2011 accomplishments to the people of British Columbia. The yearly meeting is part of the BCSA’s commitment to maintain transparency and accountability.

The BCSA is the provincial regulator that oversees safety for a variety of technical equipment including amusement rides; boilers, pressure vessels and refrigeration systems; electrical equipment and systems; elevating devices such as elevators and escalators; gas appliances and systems; passenger ropeways such as ski lifts; and provincial railways.

“We oversee the safe installation, maintenance and operation of equipment in these seven technologies,” said Catherine Roome, BCSA President and Chief Executive Officer. “We have programs, practices, policies and regulations in place to continually improve the safety system end-to-end, especially the interaction of people and technology.”

At the annual meeting, the BC Safety Authority also reported that in 2011:

• Over 60,000 physical assessments were conducted across all technologies
• Over 195,000 permits, licenses and certificates were issued.
• Over 160 compliance orders were issued.
• Over 500 incident reports were received.
• And 71 Electrical Tech Talks and three Gas Tech Talks were offered to clients across the province.

During the meeting, the BCSA also distributed copies of its 2011 Annual Report. This report, including the 2011 State of Safety Report, can be found online.

The British Columbia Safety Authority keeps people safe by mandating the safe installation and use of technical equipment. The BCSA also issues permits and licences, educates, and conducts onsite inspections of high-risk situations.

Media Relations
BC Safety Authority
778-396-2164
media@safetyauthority.ca