Protect Red Seal Trades: Sign the Petition!
Feb. 20 2013
Over the past year, the ECABC has been fighting to protect Red Seal Trained Electrical Workers. The decision by the BC Safety Authority to permit other organizations to train and certify workers to perform regulated electrical work will have a negative impact on worker and public safety and is unacceptable to us.
Today, we are proud to announce that our fight continues with the launch of a combined initiative from a broad cross section of the electrical industry including technical education professionals, workers from open shops, union shops, and those involved in electrical maintenance for industrial and institutional facilities. To learn more, please visit our new website: www.protectredsealtrades.ca
The Safety Standards Act defines regulated work as "the assembly, manufacture, construction, installation, operation, testing, maintenance or repair of a regulated product and the alteration of a regulated product." Protect Red Seal Trades defends this act. The ECABC is supported by technical education professionals with trade's certification and electrical contractors and their employees as well as other workers providing electrical maintenance.
Technical education professionals with trade’s certification are employed at training providers in all regions of the province. As educational experts with trade's certification and industry experience, they understand the high standards set by the electrical industry and the training required, meeting and exceeding those standards.
The ECA and other electrical industry stakeholders are concerned the BCSA initiative will lower standards and increase the risk to public and worker safety.
JOIN US AND HELP Protect Red Seal Trades: SIGN THE PETITION ONLINE NOW!
GO TO: http://www.protectredsealtrades.ca/actions.asp
Together we can protect the safety of our workers, our clients and the general public!
Thank you for your support, Deborah Cahill, ECABC President
Available to ECABC Members and the General Public.
City of Vancouver Proposed Application and Service Fee Increases for 2013
Sept. 24 2012
The City of Vancouver is advising of proposed application and service fee increases coming into effect January 1, 2013. They are recommending a 2.0% across the board inflationary increase.
Available to ECABC Members and the General Public.
BC Safety Authority's Relaxed Standards puts Electrical Workers at Risk
Media Release Sept. 12 2012
An agreement between BC Safety Authority (BCSA) and Applied Science Technicians and Technologists of BC (ASTTBC) allows workers who are not red seal certified electricians to perform electrical installations. "This puts workers at risk despite our efforts to improve regulations," says Deborah Cahill, President of the Electrical Contractors Association of BC. (ECABC)
The ECABC has been in a long debate with BCSA who signed an agreement with ASTTBC to certify restricted licenses for electrical work in June 2011. Cahill adds, "From the beginning ECABC and its members have been very concerned with this initiative and the effect it will have on both workers and public safety. The result of this agreement has workers - who are not red seal certified electricians- performing work on electrical installations under these restricted licenses. This includes installations of 30 amps, 3 phase and up to 250 volts, as well as work on critical life safety systems. This decision is unacceptable to us. A serious accident in Ontario is evidence for what could happen in BC."
Unlicensed Electrical Worker Suffers Arc Flash Injury. Employer fined $70,000
On July 24, 2012, ThyssenKrupp Industrial Services Canada Inc. was convicted in court of violating Ontario’s Electricity Act by hiring an unlicensed individual to do electrical work. The individual suffered serious arc flash injuries while attempting to remove conductors from an electrical panel. A fine of $70,000 was imposed, which included $50,000 to Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) to be used for electrical safety training.
An arc flash occurs when electrical current moves through the air creating a fiery explosion. A worker will be engulfed in a ball of flame in a split second and is also typically struck by molten metal shrapnel from exploding electrical equipment.
"Obviously, this could have been avoided saving a devastating injury," commented ECABC President Deborah Cahill. "Ignoring regulations is one thing however putting workers at risk because of relaxed standards is the main issue here. I hope the BC Safety Authority is paying attention to what can happen when unqualified, unlicensed electrical workers attempt to go beyond their training and expertise."
"The agreement between BCSA and ASTTBC should be suspended until such time as our concerns are acknowledged and addressed. We have attended numerous meetings with representatives from both organizations to voice our concerns as an industry, however it was apparent that the outcome had been predetermined and our viewpoint was not being considered. One of the most disconcerting aspects of this issue is that the agreement was signed without a verified training and certification process being in place. Without these measures there is considerable risk. The Ontario incident proves our argument," concluded Cahill.
For More Information Contact: Deborah Cahill, ECABC President
604.294.4123 dcdahill@eca.bc.ca
Available to ECABC Members and the General Public.
BC LightRecycle Expansion Program
Sept. 12 2012
The following documents re: the BC LightRecycle Expansion Program are available for download:
Available to ECABC Members and the General Public.
Latest 2012 CEC Errata, Part I
CSA Group
Please review the latest Errata sheet - C22.1-2012, Canadian Electrical Code, Part I
Available to ECABC Members and the General Public.
2012 CECA Conference Review
Whistler, BC; June 13 to 17, 2012
The annual CECA Conference was held in Whistler hosted by the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association at The Four Seasons Resort. This year's theme was "A Mountain of Possibilities" and the conference attracted 263 attendees from across the country. It was a busy week for us all with engaging workshops, social events and interesting key note speakers who covered subjects from new technology, environmental issues, the world economy and globalization of our markets. In addition we had an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Whistler with day excursions including golf, river rafting and a helicopter glacier tour. Many people had never been to Whistler before and despite the poor weather, all were captivated by the beauty of the area.
For me, the highlight of the conference was ECABC's Hall of Fame Diamond Dinner on Friday night. It was another event celebrating our 60th anniversary and the evening's feature was the induction of Doug Hutton, George Ingham and Hank Paquin into our Hall of Fame. The dinner was held in the Roundhouse at the top of Whistler Mountain. The night started with a breathtaking 25 minute gondola ride up the mountain. The weather cooperated allowing a fabulous view of the village and surrounding terrain.
Upon arrival our guests enjoyed socializing with a Diamond Dinner cocktail reception before dinner. Everyone had their photos taken which they were given at the end of the evening courtesy of our sponsors NEDCO, FM Installations, WESCO and MERCEDES - BENZ. Before the Hall of Fame inductions, Robert Lashin recognized Bob Alger and Dan Mott for their work in the industry and with ECABC. After Doug, George and Hank were inducted into the Hall of Fame, I thanked our outgoing chairman Robert Lashin with a weekend to Seattle including tickets to the King Tut exhibition. On behalf of the Board and all of our members, thank you Robert for your leadership and hard work!
The conference closed on Saturday with an ECABC Board Meeting, a Chapter Chair Meeting and our Annual General Meeting. That evening the conference closed with a formal Gala Dinner and Dance featuring the six piece band Dr. Strangelove. It was a wonderful evening and a perfect wrap up to our week.
I'd like to thank everyone who attended this year's conference, our Hall of Famers who worked behind the scenes and especially our office staff; Samaya and Lynn who worked countless hours on making the conference and our Hall of Fame Diamond Dinner a huge success. And again we appreciate our sponsors: NEDCO, FM Installations, WESCO and MERCEDES - BENZ. Thanks to all!
Deborah Cahill, President ECABC
Gala Dinner Dance
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Doug Hutton / Hall of Fame
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George Ingham / Hall of Fame
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Hank Paquin / Hall of Fame
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Notification of 2012, 2013 and 2014 Fee Changes for Boilers, Pressure Vessels & Refrigeration, Electrical, Elevating Devices and Gas
British Columbia Safety Authority
From January to May 2012, the BC Safety Authority has been consulting with clients and stakeholders on the proposed fee changes for 2012-2014. To all that participated in the consultation process, we want to express our appreciation for your interest, time and insight. After reviewing the findings of the consultation process, the BC Safety Authority has decided to move forward with the following fee changes:
- 2012: A 3% fee increase effective August 27, 2012
- 2013: A 3% fee increase effective January 1, 2013
- 2014: A 3% fee increase effective January 1, 2014
Please refer to the documents below for a detailed account of the fee consultation findings and the fee schedules for each year:
The notification, fee schedules and quick reference fee tables, and information can be found on the BC Safety Authority website:
http://safetyauthority.ca/page/fee-notification-2012-2014
One additional fee change of note is in the Fee Schedule: Gas that relates to changes in the contractor installation permit for certain gas appliance replacements (dryers, ranges/range tops, wall ovens, and barbecues). This fee structure change has been made to better align our fees to the service provided for the lower risk work of replacing certain gas appliances and responds to client feedback.
A thorough review to simplify our fee structure is presently taking place and the BC Safety Authority will announce and invite feedback on the proposed changes during 2012. After review and consideration of consultation feedback, notification of approved fee structure changes will be provided later this year for effect in early 2013.
Available to ECABC Members and the General Public.
ECABC is opposed to BCSA/ASTTBC certification agreement
Journal of Commerce Article
The attached article entitled “Electricians concerned about non trade certified work” appears in the most recent issue of Journal of Commerce magazine. (March 2012). The article presents the ECABC’s opposition to the BCSA’s agreement with ASTTBC to certify restricted licenses. It is our position, supported by our Board of Directors and the industry at large that this decision puts workers and the general public at risk. The debate between us and the BCSA over this issue has been going on for months however our concerns have not been addressed. Hopefully this article will help increase awareness.
ECABC is the only unified voice for the electrical industry and we must be heard. Workers safety should not be compromised. Further, before any changes or revisions are made to certification, training or training standards, ECABC, as a primary stakeholder, should be consulted. This has not occurred.
I strongly urge you to forward this article to your colleagues and join us in support of our position.
This is not the last you will hear from us on this important issue. We will continue to work for you and your employees with local and provincial authorities and argue for changes to be made to this agreement.
Available to ECABC Members and the General Public.
BCCSA March Safety Management Training Bulletin
Upcoming March courses.
The March 2012 Safety Training Bulletin contains a list of upcoming March courses! For further information about our Safety Management Training contact the BCCSA at 604-636-3690 or visit http://www.bccsa.ca
Available to ECABC Members and the General Public.
BC Construction Safety Alliance Safety Training Bulletin
Upcoming February courses.
The February 15–29, 2012 Safety Training Bulletin contains a list of upcoming February courses. For further information about our Safety Management Training contact the BCCSA at 604-636-3690 or visit http://www.bccsa.ca
Available to ECABC Members and the General Public.
CSA Standards Publishes the 2012 CE Code, Part I
Know the Code. It’s Up to You.
The 2012 CE Code, Part I, is now available. As a key component of the electrical safety system in Canada, the 2012 CE Code provides knowledge of the latest in electrical installation practices, emerging technologies, and workplace safety while reducing the incidence of costly, time-consuming re-works. Start protecting your professional reputation now. www.knowthecode2012.com
Available to ECABC Members and the General Public.
Evolution to Safety
BC Safety Authority's 2010 Annual Report
Download the BC Safety Authority's Evolution to Safety - 2010 Annual Report. This report is must reading for anyone responsible for workplace electrical safety.
Available to ECABC Members and the General Public.
Consultative Sessions with Stakeholders on the Proposed Pricing of Safety Management Plans
Alternative Safety Approaches / Safety Management Plans
Download the BC Safety Authority's Consultative Sessions with Stakeholders on the Proposed Pricing of Safety Management Plans.
Available to ECABC Members and the General Public.
ECA Keeps An Eye On Foreign Worker Issues
Download the ECABC's ECA keeps an eye on foreign worker issues.
Available to ECABC Members and the General Public.
