Safety Order: Passengers failing to load or unload from above surface ropeways

This safety order is being issued pursuant to section 31 of the Safety Standards Act. A person affected by this safety order may appeal this order, in writing, to the Safety Standards Appeal Board in accordance with section 51 of the Safety Standards Act. It is an offence under section 72 not to comply with a safety order.

Part 1: Details of regulated work or regulated product

This safety order is being issued in relation to a regulated product – specifically “all circulating above surface chair passenger ropeways with either fixed or detachable grips”.

An incident involving a guest being trapped on the carrier of a fixed grip double chair following a mis-unload at an uphill intermediate station has been reported to the British Columbia Safety Authority. It has been determined that the young guest failed to successfully unload at the intermediate station and was left hanging from the carrier above grade after the lift attendant stopped the ropeway. During an attempt to get the passenger to fall freely into the fireman’s net his helmet was caught between the carrier seat and the restraining device. To complete the rescue the child needed to be assisted at the level of the carrier.

Part 2: Requirement(s) of this Safety Order

It is hereby ordered that, effective immediately, all operators of circulating above surface chair passenger ropeways with either fixed or detachable grips take the following actions:

• Review existing training records to ensure that all chairlift operators and chairlift attendants have been adequately trained to assist passengers on above surface chairlifts who have failed to properly load or unload at any station. These chairlift operators and chairlift attendants shall have been trained by a trainer who holds a valid “Certificate of Qualification” as described in section 4 of the Elevating Devices Safety Regulation;
• As per the requirements of clause 11.10.2 of the CAN/CSA-Z98-01, at all loading and unloading stations, provisions shall be made to readily load or unload or assist passengers who have failed to load or unload. These manoeuvres shall be demonstrated and practised so that all ropeway personnel are familiar with and proficient in these operations. Note that proficiency in these manoeuvres shall be witnessed by lift operations supervisory staff;
• As per requirements of clause 11.16.1(g) of the CAN/CSA –Z98-01, all evacuation plans shall include a method of evacuation to be used for a typical passenger and the method to be used for an incapacitated passenger;
• Complete the attached response form and fax to the British Columbia Safety Authority New Westminster office (fax number 604-660-6661) upon completion/verification that the above noted requirements have been complied with. Completed forms shall be received by the Provincial Safety Manager no later than February 11^th, 2008.

Any requests for clarification on the interpretation of this safety order can be made to your BCSA Safety Officer.

Part 3: Details of issue (if applicable)

This safety order is being issued to all passenger ropeway contractors who operate circulating above surface chair passenger ropeways with either fixed or detachable grips.

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.

Greg Paddon                                                                                                    Date: January 22, 2008

Provincial Safety Manager, Amusement Devices & Passenger Ropeways