{"id":19478,"date":"2023-07-13T13:36:42","date_gmt":"2023-07-13T20:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/technical-safety-bc-highlights-safety-challenges-and-priorities-in-annual-report\/"},"modified":"2023-07-13T13:36:43","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T20:36:43","slug":"technical-safety-bc-highlights-safety-challenges-and-priorities-in-annual-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/technical-safety-bc-highlights-safety-challenges-and-priorities-in-annual-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Technical Safety BC highlights safety challenges and priorities in annual report"},"content":{"rendered":"

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July 13, 2023 \u2013 Technical Safety BC\u2019s 2022 State of Safety Report and Annual Report \u201cdetail the safety challenges that have impacted British Columbians over the past year, including the ongoing climate crisis, as well as safety priorities that have emerged as the province continues to adapt to a post-pandemic normal,\u201d states a news release.<\/p>\n

In 2022, TSBC investigated 81 incidents \u201ccaused by unsafe conditions created by unqualified workers, system failures, lack of awareness, or poor asset management choices.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to a news release, \u201cthe safety priorities identified in this year\u2019s State of Safety Report include work by unlicensed individuals, the potential dangers of working near gas lines, and the impacts of climate change and extreme weather.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unlicensed Workers<\/h4>\n

Technical Safety BC investigated multiple incidents in 2022 caused by unsafe conditions created by unqualified workers. The findings state that many of the unqualified workers were advertising themselves as \u201chandy people with the skills to complete renovations cheaply\u201d through social media.<\/p>\n

Gas lines<\/h4>\n

TSBC investigated 24 reports of gas leaks from damaged gas lines in 2022, including seven incidents that resulted in explosions causing extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure, and multiple injuries.<\/p>\n

Climate Change and Extreme Weather<\/h4>\n

In 2022, there was an increased number of incidents that were the result of \u201cpoor safety behaviour, including using outdoor appliances indoors when trying to heat homes, and installing unsafe, overloaded, or unpermitted electrical systems to power equipment such as heat pumps and electric vehicle charging stations.\u201d<\/p>\n

The State of Safety report<\/h4>\n

The State of Safety report \u201cshares data and trends of technologies overseen by Technical Safety BC.\u201d Additional highlights from the report include:<\/p>\n

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  • Ten reported incidents\u00a0and\u00a0seven injuries related to carbon monoxide (CO) in 2022.<\/li>\n
  • A\u00a0three percent\u00a0decrease year-over-year in installation permits, including a\u00a019 per cent\u00a0decrease in installation permits under the boilers, pressure vessels and refrigeration technology, and a\u00a012 per cent\u00a0decrease for installation permits in the gas technology, possible indicators of the economic slowdown and effect of fewer housing starts.<\/li>\n
  • In total,\u00a0112,645 operating permits\u00a0and\u00a0155,620\u00a0installation permits were issued. These numbers reflect a six percent increase and three percent decrease, respectively, from 2021.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n