Safety Order: Foot passenger loading areas

Failure to comply with a safety order is an offence under section 72 of the Safety Standards Act.

Summary: This safety order applies to above-surface chairlift type passenger ropeways requiring all passenger ropeway contractors to review loading and unloading ramps on above-surface ropeways for hazards such as falls from height or falls where the passengers or operations staff may land on hard surfaces that may result in a similar incident.

Part 1: Details of regulated work or regulated product

This safety order is being issued in relation to (circle or highlight one):

Regulated Work – General Regulated Work – Specific Class Specific Regulated Work

Regulated Products – General Regulated Product – Specific Class Specific Regulated Product

This safety order applies to above surface chairlift type passenger ropeways.

On August 5, 2010 a mis-load incident at the downhill loading station of detachable chairlift resulted in a fatality. The investigation has determined that the victim lost their balance while loading and fell near the end of the loading ramp. This resulted in the passenger’s upper body striking a rocky surface approximately 20” below the end of the loading ramp and caused injuries resulting in the death of the 75 year old passenger. A similar incident also occurred prior to this on another passenger ropeway installation that did not result in a fatality but the passenger did receive serious long term injuries. The investigation of both of these incidents determined that the loading areas were setup as per the requirements of CAN/CSA Z98-07. However, it has been determined by the Provincial Safety Manager that at loading and unloading areas where it is not practical to install a safety net due to the height of the end of the ramp the standard (Z98-07 Clause 6.7.1) is not providing for adequate safety in these instances.

Part 2: Requirement(s) of this safety order

All passenger ropeway contractors are to review all loading and unloading ramps on above surface ropeways for hazards such as falls from height or falls where the passengers or operations staff may land on hard surfaces that may result in a similar incident. The following actions must be taken as a result of the review:

1. Any hazards identified where a fall of 3.05 meters (10 Feet) or higher immediately after the loading/unloading ramp could occur a catch net must be installed as per requirements of CAN/CSA Z98-07 clause 6.7.1.
   1. Any structure installed to support the installation of a safety net must be adequately protected to protect passengers or staff from striking the supporting structure in the event of a fall. Passenger ropeway contractors are reminded that since this type of fall protection system is also intended to protect staff members in the event of a fall that the supporting structure must be certified by a professional engineer licensed in British Columbia (see part 11.8 D of OHS Regulation).

2. Any hazards identified where a passenger or staff member may be subject to impact on a hard surface immediately after the loading/unloading ramp that could result in serious injury, and the height of the end of the ramp is less than 3.05 Meters (10 Feet) and it is not practical to install a safety net, the surface below must have appropriate secured protection in place. An example of this would be a crash pad secured in place or a soft surface such as grass or other soft landscaping material.

Passenger ropeway contractors are required to conduct this review and take appropriate action as described above prior to operations for foot passenger traffic on above surface chairlift passenger ropeways for the 2011 summer operating season. If the passenger ropeways the contractor is responsible for are already in operation for foot passengers then this safety order must be complied with immediately. Consideration must be given as to whether or not the actions taken are required to be in place for winter operation as well. Please contact your Safety Officer if you require further clarification on the intent of this safety order.

The attached safety order response form must be submitted to the Provincial Safety Manager to confirm compliance with the safety order as per the above requirements. The passenger ropeway contractor must identify what installations have been reviewed and what actions were taken (please indicate no action required if none are taken). Response forms must be submitted prior to operation or no later than June 5, 2011 if already in operation.

Part 3: Details of issue (if applicable)

This safety order is being issued to the following:

All passenger ropeway contractors who operate above surface chairlift type passenger ropeways in British Columbia.

Part 4: Details of ordering Safety Manager or Safety Officer – please read following page

I certify that I am authorized to issue this safety order in accordance with section 15 (d) of the Safety Standards Act or that I have been delegated this power under section 15 (g) of the Safety Standards Act.

 

 

Jason Gill                                                                                                              Date: May 31, 2011

Provincial Safety Manager, Passenger Ropeways and Amusement Devices