Safety Manager’s Quarterly Report – 2015: Q4
Electrical Program
Electrical Technology Advisory Committee
[Please note: This report includes preliminary data. Accuracy of data is based on available information provided at the
time this report was prepared. Final published data may vary from this report]
Understanding Electrical Safety Risks
Hazard Mapping
The hazard assessment consists of two general processes and should be considered separately:


Inspection – identify errors and non-compliances
Hazard assessment – use hazard map to identify basic hazard and assess the degree to which
the inherent hazard is exposed.
The BC Electrical Code addresses the fundamental principles of protection for safety. These principles
are described in the Object and Appendix K, and can be summarized as addressing five basic hazards as
follows:
 Electrical Shock;
 Thermal effects;
 Equipment damage;
 System operation; and
 Power supply interruption
The Electrical Hazard Map has been updated and revised to reflect feedback from safety officers, and
safety managers from other technologies. Descriptions of basic as-found conditions allow safety officers
to quickly identify and describe hazards found during physical inspections.
Safety officers began using the updated hazard map in July. Data collected through site inspections is
not sufficient to make comprehensive determinations about trends. However, findings did show a
significant number of hazards related to exposed conductors and mechanical damage to conductors.
These findings correlate with incident investigation results which show a significant number of incidents
related to exposed conductors ; mechanical damage to conductors has been identified as a significant
contributor to incidents in previous reports.
Incidents:
15 incidents were reported to BCSA in Q3.
12 incident investigations have been completed.
fires
Shock
7
5
Basic causes for Q3 incidents:
Electric Shock
Mechanical Damage
Not electrical
Overcurrent / Fault Current
System Interruption
Thermal
Undetermined
4
1
1
2
1
1
2
Permits
Installation permits issued in Q3:
Permit Class
YTD
Q3
11,327
3,918
2,650
882
25,116
9,675
Homeowner Addition / Modification/ Alteration
551
260
Homeowner Service Install / Upgrade
297
155
1,185
404
Permit Class
YTD
Q3
General User
365
144
Municipal / School District
73
63
Private Distribution System
8
5
1,684
591
33
7
303
148
Contractor Commercial / Industrial
Contractor Residential Multi-Unit Dwelling
Contractor Residential Single Family Dwelling
Silver Label
Operating permits issued in Q3:
Temporary Construction Service – Contractor
Temporary Construction Service – Homeowner
Temporary Operating
Quarterly Report to Electrical Technology Advisory Committee
October -2015
Physical Inspections (YTD)
As found conditions by inspection type
Inspection Type
EL OP: Acceptance
EL OP: Dust Assessment
EL OP: Regular Scheduled
EL OP: SO Scheduled Assessment
EL: Final
EL: Rough Wiring-Complete
EL: Rough Wiring-Partial
EL: Service Connection
EL IN: 180-Day Safety Check
EL IN: Work-in-Progress
EL IN: Unsafe Condition
0
11
46
60
8
1639
950
512
1263
53
285
55
1
2
5
10
2
124
95
35
131
5
32
41
3
15
3
147
93
27
161
5
16
75
3
1
1
14
5
64
33
16
79
1
8
48
4
0
1
2
3
4
5
Contractor Commercial / Industrial
1053
76
68
24
8
2
Contractor Residential Multi-Unit Dwelling
225
13
24
10
1
Contractor Residential Single Family Dwelling
2125
207
242
112
26
3
Homeowner Addition / Modification/ Alteration
431
42
38
14
6
1
Homeowner Service Install / Upgrade
320
35
32
21
4
General User
87
13
16
15
5
Municipal / School District
26
4
6
5
1
Private Distribution System
1
15
13
7
2
1
2
3
21
9
4
18
3
16
5
1
2
1
1
1
4
As-found conditions by permit class
Permit Class
Temporary Construction Service - Contractor
155
Temporary Construction Service - Homeowner
10
Temporary Operating
16
EL
69
45
77
48
16
Silver Label
381
32
30
13
8
Quarterly Report to Electrical Technology Advisory Committee
October -2015
1
2
1
4
Electrical Technology Risk Register
There were no significant changes to the EL Risk Register during Q2. Summary of EL Risk
Register items is provided below.
EL-16 - FSR Code Knowledge (HIGH):
Potential unsafe practices by Field Safety Representatives due to their lack of up-to-date
knowledge of codes and standards.





FSR’s are not updating their information in registry
Current education and training programs do not adequately prepare FSR’s for their roles
Current practices for examining FSR’s do not adequately assess competency to perform
expected duties
Expectations for FSR’s are not clearly understood by industry
Gaps in knowledge occur when training is not maintained or updated
Regular renewal of FSR certificates will enable improved contact with FSR’s, and will allow information
to be updated regularly. BCSA is also currently exploring options for improved training, assessment, and
updating of FSR’s through an ETAC working group.
EL-18 - EL Operating Permits - Low Market Penetration (HIGH):
Owners operating electrical systems may not be complying with safety and permitting
requirements.


Requirements for operating permits are not clearly understood by owners. Many owners who
require operating permits do not currently have valid permits to operate their equipment.
Owners, contractors, and FSR’s do not clearly understand their roles, duties, and responsibilities
under operating permits.
BCSA is continuing its efforts to engage with owners to obtain compliance with operating permit
requirements. The directive on operating permits has been updated to reflect current conditions, with
an accompanying information bulletin that describes and clarifies roles, duties, and responsibilities of
owners, contractors, and FSR’s under electrical operating permits.
EL-21 - Untrained individuals performing electrical work (HIGH):
Unqualified or inadequately trained individuals are performing electrical work.
This item was included on the risk register at the recommendation of ETAC. BCSA is continuing to seek
advice from stakeholder groups, such as ETAC, on how to engage industry and owners to ensure
improved understanding of requirements for training and qualifications for individuals who perform
work on or around electrical equipment.
Quarterly Report to Electrical Technology Advisory Committee
October -2015
EL-22 - Explosion hazard areas with combustible wood dust (HIGH) :
Explosion may occur where electrical equipment is located in areas with hazardous levels of
combustible wood dust.
BCSA is currently training additional safety officers in preparation for continued follow up at sawmill
sites. BCSA plans to conduct follow up assessments of approximately 150 sawmill sites in 2015.
EL-07 - Unpermitted Homeowner Work (MEDIUM):
Unpermitted homeowner work is not inspected or the risk is not controlled.
A number of education programs have been implemented over the past 5 years. Although some success
was achieved, home owners continue to perform electrical work without having obtained electrical
permits. BCSA is continuing to seek advice from stakeholder groups, such as ETAC, on how to engage
industry and home owners.
EL-15 - Improper Use - Electrical Appliances (WATCH 1):
Fire arising from improper use of electrical appliances.
BCSA is continuing to monitor this items.
EL-19 - Hazard Associated With Aluminium Wiring (WATCH 1):
Potential hazards associated with the alteration of aluminum wiring done by homeowners.
BCSA is continuing to monitor this items.
EL-20 - Working on energized system (WATCH 1):
Injuries resulting from working on energized equipment.
The directive and information bulletin on live work were issued in 2013. Workers are continuing to
remove barriers for electrical equipment, exposing themselves to electrical shock and arc flash hazards.
BCSA is continuing to seek the advice of stakeholders, such as ETAC, on how to work with industry to
improve understanding of the hazards related to working on or around energized electrical equipment.
Quarterly Report to Electrical Technology Advisory Committee
October -2015
Managing Electrical Safety Risks
Electrical Tech Talks & Other Learning Events
BCSA has scheduled a number of Electrical Tech Talks and learning events throughout the Province.
Information about scheduled events is available at: http://www.safetyauthority.ca/safety-infotraining/learning-events
BCSA has completed development of Tech Talk materials for 2015 BC Electrical Code. Tech Talk sessions
on the 2015 BC Electrical Code is scheduled to begin this fall. BCSA provided training for electrical safety
officers in September.
Certification
FSR Class A
22
FSR Class B
56
FSR Low Energy Systems
7
FSR Refrigeration Mechanic
5
FSR Security Alarms Installer
2
FSR Underground Raceway Installer
2
Provincial Electrical Safety Officer
2
Licences
Active licences
5131
Enforcement
Warning notices issued
13
Compliance order issued
11
Sanctions issued
0
Monetary Penalties issued
2
Quarterly Report to Electrical Technology Advisory Committee
October -2015