20th Anniversary live, work, play; celebrating safe communities

The Safety Codes Council is focused on the safety of Albertans and guided by core values of innovation, empowerment, integrity, teamwork and leadership.

VISION Alberta: a safe place to live,

work and play.

MISSION Working with our partners

and stakeholders, the Safety

Codes Council provides an

effective and sustainable

safety codes system for

structures, facilities and

equipment.

20th Anniversary live, work, play; celebrating safe communities

Message from the Minister

Greetings from the Honourable Doug Griffiths, Minister of Municipal Affairs

I would like to congratulate the Safety Codes Council on your 20th anniversary celebration.

For two decades, the Government of Alberta has enjoyed a very close and positive relationship with the Safety Codes Council. Our relationship continues to grow stronger as the province and the council work together closely on a daily basis.

Reaching such a milestone is not possible without the right people. I would like to thank the Council’s Chair and members of the board, president and staff, expert volunteers on the technical councils, industry partners, municipalities agencies, organizations and safety codes officers…past and present, for your outstanding contributions over the years to support the council.

Thanks to your hard work, the Safety Codes Council has been a leader in all aspects of the safety system and our priority to provide a safe province for all Albertans.

In June of this year, we saw the outstanding commitment of Safety Codes Officers, permit issuers and other safety system leaders responding quickly to the emergency flooding situations in Southern Alberta. Without hesitation, they answered the call. I want to sincerely thank all those who took part in helping respond to the disaster and assisting Alberta communities rebuild.

The 20th anniversary celebration is only the beginning for the Safety Codes Council. By always looking ahead to new opportunities, the Safety Codes Council has consistently demonstrated a dedication to improving how you administer safety codes and standards, and developing innovative public safety programs for Albertans.

The province looks forward to continue working together closely with the Safety Codes Council in the coming years. Thanks to your work, Albertans benefit from safer homes, safer businesses, and safer communities.

Doug Griffiths Minister

Turning 20...Given the chance, most of us, would like the opportunity to turn the clock back and be 20 years of age again, but only if we could take everything we have learned with us.

For an organization (or an individual) reflection is of value. While we must never lose sight of present day responsibilities and future vision and direction, taking a look back to see where we have been and what has been achieved, allows patterns to emerge – periods of change and adaptation, times of challenge and growth. Only in retrospect, despite all our responsible planning, do these become evident. And more importantly, inside the valuable exercise of reflection comes opportunity to improve.

Coupled with patience, thoughtful planning partnered with experience is a formula that works. As we celebrate today, we are mindful of this. Our future will be inspired by our past. Lessons learned and wisdom accumulated will guide how we prepare for tomorrow.

Today in the presence of safety codes system leaders, and industry and community partners, we honor your commitment to the highest of safety standards.

Many of you attended our 2013 conference: Industry & Innovation: Excellence in our Safety Codes System. The Conference was an exceptional opportunity to gather as we do each year to talk, learn and listen; a chance to engage with our peers and enjoy fellowship based on a shared commitment and passion for the safety codes system in our province.

What a huge responsibility to keep Albertans safe. Every day you have to bring your “A” game to whatever you do, whatever contribution you make, whatever area of industry expertise you specialize in.

We have seen over the decades that the best in growth and innovation often comes when pressure is a factor, when change is needed, when industry forces us to adapt and improve.

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Through two decades, you - our industry and community partners - have responded. Where we are today is a point on a path we have travelled together.

And tomorrow? We will strengthen partnerships, we will work together with greater understanding, and travel further along this same path, guided by a desire to not only achieve, but excel in our mandate.

What an honor it is to celebrate the achievements of the past 20 years with you!

Please enjoy the special evening planned. It is our way to say thank you for your wisdom, contribution, dedication and partnership.

Bob Blakely, Chair, Coordinating Committee

Brian Alford, President & CEO

“We continue to work within the system. That needs to be done in collaboration with all stakeholders. I do believe that Brian and his team have a solid understanding of the importance of working together with each partner.”

“We need to change if changes are necessary, but we must build on the successful model we have constructed to date in order to grow most effectively.”

K.T. Lau, PhD., P. Eng., Adminstrator, Province of Alberta Pressure Equipment SafetyChief Inspector, Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA)

What is the Safety Codes Council?The Safety Codes Council is a statutory corporation that formulates and oversees the development and administration of safety codes and standards throughout Alberta. Working with partners in government, labour, industry and education, the Safety Codes Council provides innovation, effective, and efficient public safety programs to industry and communities.

The Council also provides training to safety codes officers, and administers a province-wide suite of electronic systems in support of the safety codes system. In 2011, the Council started administrating the Master Electrician Program on behalf of the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

The Safety Codes Council is responsible to the Minister of Alberta Municipal Affairs and works under the authority of the Safety Codes Act, which was passed in June 1991. In 2004, the Safety Codes Act was amended to allow for the creation of a Barrier Free Council. The Barrier Free Council’s objectives include working with the nine technical councils regarding the subject of barrier free design and access, and how this applies to the technical disciplines.

MANDATEThe Safety Codes Council derives its mandate from the Safety Codes Act and the Minister to:

• Review, formulate and recommend codes and standards to the Minister for the nine technical disciplines covered under the Act;

• Develop and administer a system to accredit municipalities, regional service commissions, corporations and agencies to carry out specific activities under the Act;

• Develop and administer a program to train, certify and designate safety codes officers;

• Administer a program to certify Master Electricians;

• Administer an appeal process for decisions made in the accreditation and certification programs and for orders and written notices issued under the Act;

• Promote uniform safety standards and principles of barrier free design and access;

• Provide for our partners; and

• Carry out activities on behalf of the Minister.

Prior to the passing of the Safety Codes Act in 1991, safety in Alberta was divided amongst seven separate pieces of legislation. This system consolidated control, regulation, and responsibility at the provincial level; inspections were performed by government inspectors. When the Act was introduced, it created a system that would be designed and operated by a series of cooperative partnerships.

After the Act was passed, it took three years to activate all of its legislation. Upon full proclamation in 1994, the Act became the governing statute for safety standards and code regulations in nine disciplines: fire, electrical, building, boilers, elevators, gas, plumbing, passenger ropeways, and amusement rides. Its creation also marked the introduction of the Safety Codes Council, which would be composed of a Coordinating Committee and nine technical councils. The Council provided new opportunities for participation in setting safety standards and shared responsibility for decision-making with municipalities, home owners, designers, constructors, and manufacturers. The Act would build on existing partnerships and encourage new partnerships to create a more comprehensive system of public safety in the province.

Alberta’s Safety Codes Act was the first of its kind in Canada. No other province had consolidated safety codes into an organized body like the Safety Codes Council that would improve policy, planning and implementation and allow everyone in the province to become more actively involved in promoting safety. “I was with Government for about 33 years. At the time the Safety Codes Act was being worked on, I was with Alberta Labour. It was a brand new system, and we were working with different industry interest groups that all had their own opinions on the way things should be done, so you had to build consensus before seeing results in the areas of programs and accreditation criteria,” says Ken Fenning, former Executive Director, Municipal Affairs. “Uniform quality management plans were brought into place to make sure things were done in a consistent manner. It was a challenge introducing new legislation and a safety codes system in the formative years.”

Across Alberta, corporations, agencies, and municipalities were granted the opportunity to gain accreditation in

various disciplines; inspections were no longer performed by government employees, who would have soon been overwhelmed with more inspections than they could effectively manage. Certifying Safety Codes Officers (SCOs) was a priority for the Safety Codes Council in the early years. SCOs would now be trained in specific disciplines and could perform safety inspections with diligence. New safety codes officers and those being

grandfathered into the new legislation became certified. In the Council’s second year of operation there were over 4,000 certifications. Council Executive and staff introduced processes for carrying out the Act, including the establishment of a Coordinating Committee and nine sub-councils: Amusement Rides, Boilers and Pressure Vessels, Building, Electrical, Elevators, Fire, Gas, Plumbing, and

Passenger Ropeways. Sub councils were still being formed, based on alliances and meeting groups that had existed previously. Approximately100 safety system leaders stepped forward to make history and become the early stewards of today’s Safety Codes Council.

1993...• First Meeting at the Chateau Louis Hotel, Edmonton

• Original Executive Committee makes recommendations based on information bulletins and policy and administrative documents are developed

• 2,240 certification applications, 1,707 processed • 872 Designation of Powers (DOPs) applications, 741 processed • 391 Accredited Municipalities applications, 318 processed • 210 Accredited Corporations applications, 53 processed • 216 Accredited Agencies applications, 174 processed

• 2 staff members: John Van Doesburg, Chair and Ann Paches, Administration

Today...• Over 30 meetings held annually, more than 130 Members• Robert Blakely, Chair• 10 Sub Councils

• Coordinating Commitee and Technical Coordinating Committee

• 2,329 certified SCOs• 122 Permit Issuers • 63 accredited agencies • 103 accredited corporations • 312 accredited municipalities • 21 appeals (2012) • 4,210 Master Electricians• 44 staff

Yesterday...

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An Interview with Chris Tye, (Former) Executive Director, Safety Services, Alberta Municipal Affairs

Chris Tye has been involved in the provincial safety codes system for more than two decades. During the last twenty years with Alberta Municipal Affairs,Chris has witnessed and participated in the Safety Codes Council’s evolution. The following interview was conducted just prior to his retirement in May of 2013. The Safety Codes Council acknowledges the significant contributions Chris has made to the safety system in our province and the important role he has played in developing a positive relationship between the Council and the Department of Alberta Municipal Affairs.

As Executive Director of Safety Services, what are some of the operations and issues you deal with on a day-to-day basis? I have overall responsibility for supervising a team of five managers and approximately 50 professional, technical and administrative staff. Routine work could be divided in two broad categories: developing new or updated editions of the provincial codes and standards for the built environment, and delivery of permit and inspection programs in areas of the province not accredited under the Safety Codes Act. There is a fairly constant flow of issues to manage, typically involving accidents, material or equipment failures, public requests for assistance, and media calls.

What are some of the challenges you faced in your position? Some of the challenges I’ve had to tackle included moving new or updated editions of the provincial codes and standards through the development, review and adoption process in a timely fashion. This can be challenging given the dynamic nature of provincial governance, finding ways to provide assistance to the general public, and mediating stakeholder groups.

Alternatively, what are some of the most rewarding parts of your job? The most rewarding part has to be the successful resolution of these challenges, shepherding

a new or updated code or standard through to adoption, resolving an issue for a member of the public, or bringing two groups of stakeholders to consensus on a previously devisive issue.

Is there a particular Council achievement that stands out? What are you most proud of? I believe the establishment of a professional Board of Directors was a notable milestone for the Council. It provided a solid business foundation from which the Council began and continues to grow.

What makes the Safety Codes Council different from other Safety organizations in Canada? I would cite two principal differences between the Safety Codes Council and similar Canadian organizations. Firstly, it is an independent body with an established working relationship with Municipal Affairs based on mutual respect and recognition of their respective roles in the safety system. Secondly, it has a broad mandate covering 10 distinct construction disciplines. This allows for engagement within a provincially-built safety system.

Is there anything you’d like to see happen within the Council before you retire? Some important work has been started recently, I have high hopes for these initiatives in the future. Up until now roles and responsibilities of the Council and Municipal Affairs have been based upon abilities and capacities that were indicative of a maturing Council. This is now changing. With the establishment of the Board of Directors, the Council is much better positioned, and experienced, to develop and deliver a broad spectrum of programs and services that will allow Municipal Affairs to step back from program delivery and focus more on monitoring the health of the safety system and developing policy that will guide the future direction of public safety for the province.

What are you working on right now? In the weeks leading up to retirement, I’ve had a stewardship role in setting out issues for a planned public consultation on the Safety Codes Act. I have also been working closely with other senior managers in the Public Safety Division in developing a vision for our organization as we see it evolving over the next five years.

What do you think is next for the Safety Codes Council? Where will they be in 5 years? 10? I see the relationship changing, with Council have more independence, but still working very closely in partnership with Municipal Affairs. In addition, I think the Council will have expanded its role to include additional business services and will start to capitalize, both intellectually and financially, from its expanding data collection activities.

Tomorrow...

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participation. Also of significance is the commitment of industry leaders to a safe Alberta, the field work of highly-skilled SCOs, and of course our strong working relationship and partnership with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and his staff.

What is a typical day like for you as President and CEO of this growing organization?A significant responsibility for me is communicating with partners; maintaining and growing relationships that support the safety system. This allows us to successfully collaborate on changes in safety code standards, and technology and innovation that impact the industries that we work with. I meet and work closely with Alberta Muncipal Affairs to ensure that the mission, vision and mandate assigned the Council is accomplished on a daily basis. In addition, I work with our Coordinating Committee and ensure that our Business Plan and the

work, goals and objectives of the individual business units within the Council are accomplished. The work of the Technical Committee and Sub Councils supports the work of our business units. I ensure that there is clear and frequent communication between Council and these committees to ensure that the safety system is working effectively.

What is on the horizon for the Council and its partners? What are your priorities?An ongoing priority for the Council centers around risk management. The safety of SCOs and accredited organizations remains a significant priority as well. We will also focus on enhancing and expanding safety audits and support the work of accredited organizations and SCOs by introducing new training and information resources. Technology will be a key focus in coming years, and training delivery will be adapted to ensure easy access for stakeholders. Enhanced tracking and collection of safety system data will allow us the opportunity to further enhance the safety system. In addition, we will look to raise the profile and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Council in our province, particularly with the general public, who are typically unaware of the important role the Council plays in ensuring their safety at home, at work and at play.

How has the Council’s relationship with Municipal Affairs evolved over the years? What will that relationship look like tomorrow?We enjoy a very positive, collaborative relationship with

Perspective: More on the Future of our Safety System - an Interview with President & CEO, Brian Alford

Twenty years is a milestone for any organization. What would you say are the most significant achievements of the Council since inception?What developments in the safety system and industry over the years bring you to this point in the Council’s history? The role the Safety Codes Council plays in the provincial safety codes system is strongly built on partnerships with industry stakeholders. Nominating organizations from all sectors bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge that contributes to the effectiveness of the safety system. Included are the accredited organizations, Safety Codes Officers and permit issuers working at the local level to ensure the highest safety standard in their own communities. I would say that establishing effective relationships with these stakeholders over the last twenty years is a significant achievement that enables our safety system to function so effectively. It took time to establish these relationships and the administrative processes that support the collaborative achievements that ensure the safety of all Albertans. Over the past twenty years, the current safety codes system had brought continuity, accountability, and safety codes service to every part of Alberta, breaking new ground in the safety system industry. We established and continue to improve on a safety management system that is second to none. We are proud of the partnerships with industry leaders that have been established. These partnerships have made possible a model of safety system excellence. Also significant is the standard of competency we have set for SCOs, making them among the most technically trained anywhere.

As CEO what do you identify as the most significant factors influencing the Council’s success to date?The commitment of our Coordinating Committee and Sub Council volunteers, who bring industry-specific expertise along with a passionate commitment to the highest standard of safety in our province. The work we do would not be possible without their enthusiastic

“As we move forward into 2014 and beyond, innovations in technology and industry will bring new challenges and exciting opportunities that will enhance the responsibilities of the Safety Codes Council. We are committed to meeting these challenges, capitalizing on opportunities and sustaining the highest possible standard of safety system excellence in Alberta.”

Brian AlfordPresident & CEOSafety Codes Council

Alberta Municipal Affairs. One of our primary responsibilities is to “Review, formulate and recommend codes and standards to the Minister for the nine technical disciplines covered under the Safety Codes Act.” The Council will continue to take on a more senior role in oversight including: risk management audits, data management, and on-line access to information. We will continue to accredit organizations, train and certify SCOs, administer the Master Electrician Program, and maintain eSITE’s digital safety data system. The long-standing relationship with Alberta Municipal Affairs is an essential part of our mandate. Over time, the Council will attain more autonomy and additional decision making privilege.

On the occassion of the Council’s 20th Anniversary, what message would you most like to leave with stakeholders?Our appreciation and gratitude for their commitment to working with us to ensure the highest standard in safety for all Albertans. The continued success of the work we do depends on committed working relationships and shared common goals. It is our priviledge, on a daily basis, to collaborate with industry leaders from CEOs to SCOs who are so intently committed to safety in our province. We truly value these partnerships.

Congratulations on 20 years of outstanding contributions to the safety of Albertans!

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system used to track a permit through the process of development. As I gained experience as an SCO, I had to keep up with code changes industry-wide and province-wide, and I saw the opportunity to get more involved. I joined the Alberta Building Officials Association (ABOA), just to get an understanding of what they did and what they stood for.

I first stepped into a role as membership director, receiving applications and fees as the membership grew year-to-year. After I got started with the ABOA, the President said to me “I can see you’re a go-getter.” He wanted me to put on a conference, which was a bit of a challenge. I didn’t know what I was getting into when I said I’d do it. But I hosted my first conference in 2007 in Medicine Hat with the city and all their staff. It ended up being one of the ABOAs most successful conferences and everything went off without a hitch. I had a really good team of people working with me.

From that point I stepped up the ladder; I took on the role of 2nd Vice President and held that position for two years and then became President, a role I’ve been in for three years.

My latest change of employment was in 2013 when I became an Audit Field Officer for the Council. My role has developed and now I go out to municipalities, agencies, and corporations to see that they are complying with the Quality Management Plan (QMP). The QMP dictates, for everyone in the safety system, the required inspections for all different disciplines.

Now we’re taking it a step forward and looking to QMP documentation to see how effectively the SCOs are doing their jobs. The Safety Codes Council provides all SCOs with training, certification, and designation of powers to do their jobs. It’s just a little bit of a check and balance to see where we’re at.

What does a Safety Codes Officer do on a regular day?You get hit with various tasks and different jobs. A typical day in the office may include working with a municipality, responding to emails and telephone inquiries, meeting with people who have questions about the process of development and building and what they require for permits. You work with them through the entire process, whether

they’re a home owner, contractor or architect. You explain the process, how it works and the necessary steps to go through to get to complete a project. Once they understood the system they would come in and submit applications. We would review the applications, review

From SCO to Audit Field Officer;An Interview with Bill Crozier

The Safety Codes Council itself is made up of more than140 members, and the number of Safety Codes Officers accredited by the Council is much larger. Safety Codes Officers (SCOs) deal with everything from permit inquiries to in-person inspections. Bill Crozier has worked in the industry for many years, with background as a carpentry journeyman and fire fighter.

What is your history with the Council? How did you get started as an SCO?When I first started to consider becoming a Safety Codes Officer (SCO), I had come from working in the Arctic and was looking for a career change. I was already a journeyman carpenter and that is one of the prerequisites to becoming a building SCO. I had about 30 years of experience, so the next progressive level was to get into code enforcement. I started to look into becoming a code inspector, and I soon started my first job for the Municipal District of Mackenzie which covered the largest municipality in North America.

In training, I was wearing two hats. I was going to become a development officer and a building safety codes officer, both of them being a part of the planning, development, and building process. Around the time I got my Group 1 certification as a building SCO, I developed an interest in fire safety. It’s not a common occurrence to be studying in multiple disciplines, though it is possible with the right background. I joined a fire department to become a fire fighter and I started taking some of the courses and training involved in being a fire fighter, and then looked into becoming a fire SCO.

I spent about five years up in that part of the province and then decided to relocate but continue my training. I got to Level II and started branching off into the fire side, taking some fire training as an SCO. Doing both worked really well for me, both from a career standpoint and in terms of my areas of interest within the safety system. Coming to work with the Safety Codes Council was an obvious progression for me. I’ve been working with the Council since April 2013; I worked with the EBS (Electronic Business Solutions) team, as they dealt with changes following the development of the Public One-Stop Service Program (POSSE), the first permit tracking

“The Safety Codes Council is a trusted source for leadership and guidance, promoting uniformity. The Council is a tremendous resource for both big and small municipalities.”

Ron SchallerVice-Chair Fire Techinical Council

drawings, and conduct a plans examination to make sure everything complies with current codes, making any notes on the submitted plans. As the project proceeded towards the final stages, applicants would call us to come out and do the inspections to ensure that everything complied with the building code.

So you see projects from the beginning through to the end? We would see a project all the way through, from the bare ground to the completed project. It was always really interesting to see a building unfold from concepts on paper to final construction with people moving in.

With changing codes and standards, how do you adapt?All SCOs have to keep up with professional development. Each code goes through an update cycle roughly every five-to-six-years, when they are reviewed by Municipal Affairs and the technical council. Typically Municipal Affairs gives us access to what the changes will be before the code changes actually happened, so we are prepared.

Are there any particular challenges for an SCO?The code is an in-depth, complex document. Everything seems to be getting quite technical. Each SCO has different experience in the field. When interpreting the whole code each officer can interpret it slightly differently.The most recent version of the code is very clear, leaving less room for interpretation by SCOs. In the end, it always comes back to safety.

Safety is our number one priority. As our name implies, everything we do is based around it. And of course people are always asking where to get information. We always refer them to the code as the guiding document.

Did the Council achieve any milestones during your time with them that you’re particularly proud of?The Council has been through a lot of changes over the years. They used to operate with a handful of people and now they’ve grown to a fairly big organization. But as they’re so involved with accreditation and certification and training and mentoring – it’s just getting broader and broader. Someone has to regulate that and we are constantly doing code and training updates to the programs to accommodate this growth.

What do you see as the future of the Council?The Council is definitely going to continue to accredit, train and support SCOs, and one thing I’ve always seen as important, as the President of the ABOA, is keeping everything and everyone up to date. There’s always something new to learn and we have to change things constantly within the code. This is a forever-changing industry and we adapt to that in order to meet our mandate and ensure the safety of Albertans.

Breaking down barriers:Barrier Free access to building and facilities

In June 2004, the Safety Codes Act was amended, changing the existing advisory committee into the Barrier Free Council. First on the agenda was getting the new members established in their roles on the Council. Next came the task of revising the Barrier Free Design Guide.

The first print run of the Guide sold more than 750 books in the first year. In 2013, a fifth edition will be published with input from every member of the Barrier Free team. The Guide is revised every two years, with the goal to improve understanding of accessible design. This allows design and construction students the opportuity to learn the necessary practises, standards and principles necessary to create buildings and facilities that are truly barrier free and allow access for all.

Mark Iantkow, current Chair of the Barrier Free Council, recalls being part of the original advisory committee back in 1997, “It was much harder to get things done. I think some code changes weren’t accepted simply because the Building Technical Council didn’t understand where we were coming from.” Iantkow believes that establishing an ongoing liaison between the Councils was key to opening lines of communication. After communication was established between the Barrier Free Council and Building Technical Council, the Fire Technical Council sent a liaison to join the Building Technical Council.

Iantkow is also very proud of the communication link that was established between the Barrier Free Technical Council and Alberta Municipal Affairs that same year. An ongoing dialogue and efficient working relationship that continues to evolve and grow.

“What incredible progress we have made, not only in barrier free construction, but also in public awareness and expectation for building and facility access for people with disabilities or mobility issues,” says Iantkow. Twenty years ago, it was almost unimaginable that we would see curb cuts on street corners, automatic doors, or audible traffic signals. “There’s been a real cultural shift. We have curb cuts on almost every corner and audible traffic signals in most high-traffic areas.” Inclusive design has developed in other areas as well. Originally conceptualized for

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sanitation purposes, automatic faucets, flushing, and paper towel dispensers are available in almost every public rest room. “Not only is this more sanitary, but more accessible for people with disabilities.” Mark Iantkow explains, “I truly believe this has been an evolution, not a revolution. The Barrier Free Design Guide was a revolutionary innitiative, but it didn’t change the culture. That change has happend over time, with

increased awareness and new building code standards. The evolution continues, but Mark is realistic, “Let’s face it, we will never get to the point where a Safety Codes Officer will receive enough training or consistent knowledge of all disability groups in order to evaluate buildings and facilities with the seven broad principles of inclusive design identified in the barrier free mandate.”

Now we have an up-to-date basic education resource in the Barrier Free Design Guide and a barrier free component that is now mandatory in Safety Codes Officer training. Resources and training enhance awareness of barrier free requirements and identify best practices in accessible design. The Guide has become essential reading on universal design for students, architects, builders and designers.

The Barrier Free Council faces challenges other than raising awareness for inclusive design. “We have to adhere to code harmonization across the country.” Many barrier free issues discussed within the Council are often deferred for comment or decision to the national level. The Barrier Free Council has a specific mandate and that is to deal with building code and policy issues. “We aren’t there to deal with technical issues,” Mark explains, “But there’s a bit of a push and pull because how do you separate policy from a technical requirement?”

In 2013 and subsequent years, many members will retire from the Barrier Free Council as their service terms expire. Important work for the Council will include ensuring that the knowledge and experience of these valuable volunteers is retained. “These are vital times for us,” Iantkow says. Before the shift in membership is complete, Iantkow and the current membership are busy reworking the Barrier Free Council’s vision, mission, and value statements. With an ever-changing membership base, the Council will build upon today’s values to create a long-term vision for the future and concrete strategies for the next ten years.”

The Safety Codes Council and Alberta Boilers Safety Association - Partners in Safety

When the Council was formed in 1993, it took over the maintenance of nine disciplines covered under the Safety Codes Act. Several branches within these disciplines established themselves as Delegated Administrative Organizations (DAOs). The DAOs now include the Alberta Elevating Devices and Amusement Rides Safety Association, the Petroleum Tank Management Association of Alberta (PTMAA), and the Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA).

The Boilers and Pressure Vessels branch was absorbed into the Council at its inception. The branch immediately began creating a proposal for the establishment of a DAO that would eventually become ABSA. ABSA took over the Boilers Branch functions in delivering all the pressure equipment safety programs of the province under the Act.

Dr. Ken Lau, Chief Inspector and Administrator, has worked in pressure equipment safety since before the Act was legislated. “Our discipline is an old one,” he says, “and quite unlike other safety disciplines under the Act.”

Pressure equipment safety was needed in this province before the Act was formed. “Our field—pressure safety—is not dealing with one building or one small area. If something happens, the consequences could be very serious. In our case, in this province, we have more pressure equipment per capita than any jurisdiction in North America. This is mainly because of the scale of the oil and gas industry in Alberta,” say Lau.

About 40% of all the pressure plants in this country are in Alberta. Nearly 90% of Canadian gas processing plants are here. “That’s why the federal government moved the National Energy Board to Calgary. Why not move it somewhere where they could get some seats or some votes?” he asks, “It is because of the amount of equipment in the industry is here.”

The scale is so large, in fact, that ABSA does not have provincial codes, and rarely inputs changes into new drafts of safety code.

“We have to use national and international standards,” says Dr. Lau, “The industry we are dealing with is not provincial.” For example, ABSA does not employ Safety Codes Officers; inspectors must be completely independent of everyone involved in a building project. “Throughout the world, third-party inspections is a mandatory criteria for pressure vessel inspection safety.”

Article continued on page 12

The Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta

offers our congratulations on the occasion of the Safety Codes Council’s

20th Anniversary.

We value the ongoing safety partnership we enjoy with the Council and it’s many partner

organizations, sub committee members and

volunteers.

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Other DAOs...

Alberta Elevating Devices and Amusement Rides Safety Association (AEDARSA) encompasses Passenger Ropeways, Elevators, and Amusement Rides. AEDARSAwas established in May 1996 and is responsible for safety issues pertaining to elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, freight platform lifts, manlifts, personnel hoists, lifts for persons with physical disabilities, ski lifts, and amusement rides.

The Petroleum Tank Management Association of Alberta (PTMAA) oversees all matters related to the

regulation of petroleum storage tanks. This includes ensuring that individuals who install, test, maintain, alter, upgrade, or remove petroleum tanks are properly qualified, that petroleum tanks in the province are installed and operated in accordance with the Alberta Fire Code, monitoring the closure and removal of storage tanks, investigating any accidents or incidents involving petroleum tanks,

and enforcing petroleum tank regulations, codes, and standards in Alberta.

Oil and gas accounts for a majority of the pressure equipment in Alberta, but because of our climate there is pressure equipment in every building. “We have heating boilers and power boilers and everything else,” says Lau, “There are people in this province that enjoy the living standard but don’t understand the level of work that goes into maintaining it.”

Dr. Lau is proud of the work ABSA does. Their record for safety is impressive, and many people would be hard pressed to remember an accident involving pressure equipment in the province. Other regions of Canada and the world look to them for guidelines. “We were the first to be on the internet. A lot of companies copy some of the information we provide on our site.”

Not only that, but ABSA is the only pressure equipment organization to provide a periodic newsletter on safety. They started it before the Council was concieved, when ABSA was the Boilers Branch. “We are the only one in North America. What we publish is being bound by other jurisdictions in the industry and used as a kind of reading bible for pressure safety.”

The ASME code changes every two years, while the Canadian Standard is updated every three years or so.

This year, ABSA is excited to be getting multiple safety code updates all at the same time. “Quite often they are not in sync,” explains Lau. Other disciplines have a lot to do with writing their own code, but ABSA has to wait on the national and international organizations and then adopt the new code.

“Safety is for everyone,” say Lau. “It is not up to the government, not up to the Council, and not up to ABSA. It’s not solely up to the industry or to the public. It’s a partnership that everybody works together on.”

“We help, but we’re only part of the equation. It’s not just me. It’s not just ABSA. It’s not just the law. It’s everybody. Everybody contributes to safety.”

It is our continuing privilege to participate on the Council’s Plumbing, Gas, and Building

Sub Committees.

Congratulations to the Council on their 20th

Anniversary!

Safety Codes Council builds on provincial safety codes with Audit Field Officer Team

In 2012, the Safety Codes Council established an AuditField Officer (AFO) team to provide additional services tothe safety codes system. The AFO team consists of senior Safety Codes Officers (SCO) in the Building, Electrical Plumbing, Gas, and Fire disciplines. With the addition of this team, the Council is taking the Accreditation Checklist Monitoring of years past to current Auditing principles with a more in-depth and holistic method of tracking and reporting successes, improvement areas of growth within the provincial safety codes system.

“Industry response to the program has been extremely supportive,” says Gerry Baron, Safety Codes Council Director of Operations. Audit Field Officers consider all aspects of how the safetys codes system is working, including the following points:

• Accreditation• Certification• Master Elecricians• Orders• Variances• Financial aspects of fees and levies, and• Administration

“People are eager to participate and contribute... a unique organization culture of roll up your sleeves achievers and bold thinkers.”

Fred Keating Host of Safety Codes Council Conference 2013

Thorough audits are currently the best way to achieve this goal. “Our number one priority is the safety of Albertans,” says Tina Parker, Audit Field Officer Supervisor. The Council’s vision, Alberta: a safe place to live, work, and play is supported and best served at the local level through accreditation. The Council ensures the quality and effectiveness of safety codes supporting the efforts of accredited municipalities, corporations and agencies.

The Audit Field Officer team has the scope to provide feedback and guidance to accredited organizations, their management and staff, and the safety codes officers and permit issuers in the field. The audit team’s advice on becoming accredited, maintaining accreditation, safety codes related bylaws, procedures, policies, and service delivery becomes very personalized to the people and organizations they audit. In addition, best practices will be collected and shared, leading to greater consistency in codes administration across the province.

Under the Safety Codes Act, the Safety Codes Council has the authority to monitor, measure, and take action in itsfindings, as part of its diligence in administering the safety codes system. Each accreditation Quality Management Plan includes a section on this monitoring, to be conducted by the Safety Codes Council or its representative.

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Education Programs

Today, the Council offers necessary, in-demand training programs in nine technical disciplines: amusement rides, barrier free, boilers & pressure vessels, building, electrical, elevators, fire, gas, passenger ropeways, and plumbing. It hasn’t always been this way. When it began delivering safety codes officer training, the Council partnered with a number of trade schools and community colleges. Eight institutions across Alberta, including Medicine Hat College, Lethbridge Community College, Keyano College, Grande Prairie Regional College, Red Deer College, Olds College, and both NAIT and SAIT offered training in the

nine disciplines included in the Safety Codes Act.

In 1996, low levels of enrolment in plumbing discipline courses led to reformatting them as correspondence courses. The processes and procedures for advertising, delivering, and administering SCO training courses began an overall refining process, involving every level of the Council and many external sources. In

1997, most training courses for SCOs moved exclusively to correspondence delivery, after demand for SCO training slowed dramatically in the wake of 1,500 newly-certified SCOs.

Celia McDonagh, Manager of Training, oversees the development and delivery of training for Safety Codes Officers in nine disciplines.“Developing quality training involves going through a rigorous development and review process,” says McDonagh, “Course production and course delivery involves the expertise and involvement of many different people.” When we are required to revise a course because of code updates or industry demand we work closely with Council and Alberta Municipal Affairs (AMA) staff, temporary contract personnel, and volunteers.

The audit program is also risk-based, meaning that organizations undertaking work that falls under the Safety Codes Act that is higher volume, greater complexity, or with greater inherent safety risk potential will be audited more frequently.

Overall, most accredited Alberta municipalities and accredited corporations can expect to be audited on a rotating basis every three years.

Municipalities and corporations may request an audit for any reason; however, each accredited municipality or organization, for any and all disciplines, will be contacted to set up an appointment to have their audit conducted.

Organizations that wish to set an audit date or to review the process for an audit can contact our the Safety Codes Council office at (780) 413-0099 and have their call directed to the Audit Field Officer Team.

Congratulations on 20 years of ensuring the safety of Albertans

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Past Chair of the Safety Codes Council Coordinating Committee, Order of Canada, and Alberta Order of Excellence recipient, Dr. Kenneth Sauer comments on the historical significance and progress of the Safety Codes Council:

“The Safety Codes Council, working with a cross-section of competent and technically

skilled people, has made a difference to the safety of Albertans.”

“The Council has made a great deal of progress through a

partnership with the provincial government and a group of

technically skilled Directors and Inspectors — the province of Alberta

is a safer place because of the vision and work done by all.”

“Through his dedicated commitment to communities across the province, and passionate volunteer work with many organizations, including the Safety Codes Council, Ken has shared his vision and enthusiasm over the years to significantly impact the quality of life for Albertans in the communities in which we live, work, and play.” – Brian Alford, President & CEO, Safety Codes Council

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“We provide a balanced technical expertise group with members from across the Province. New technologies, new equipment, and new standards are reviewed to ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone.”

Maurice Otto Past ChairBuilding Technical Council

In addition, this work requires ”the expertise and involvement of many people including training deliveryand development coordinators and associates, subject matter experts, instructional designers, technical writers, multi-media experts, editors, proof-readers, exam facilitators, AMA technical advisors, and sub-council members who validate each course.”

The Manager of Training is responsible for ensuring that SCOs have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their role in maintaining a safe environment for all Albertans. “The Safety Codes environment is very dynamic,” says McDonagh, “with continuous changes to codes, standards, and construction technologies.”

Every SCO needs constant training to keep up-to-date with current changes. “Course creation involves a lengthy process, and we have to begin the work well in advance of any possible code adoptions. Because of this, we often have to work from drafts of codes rather than the final product.” Currently, a complete restructuring of the Building and Fire programs is under way.

More information of training programs offered by the Safety Codes Council is available by contacting our Training Department at (780) 413-0099.

AFCA Board and Management offer congratulations to Board and Staff of the Safety Codes

Council for 20 years of service to clients across Alberta.

Worker and workplace safety have been well served

by the Council.

The Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA)congratulates the Safety Codes Council on their 20th anniversary.

The Council is integral to keeping us safe day-in and day-out, and part of making safety a way of life.

It’s thanks to the integrity, leadership and volunteers of the Safety Codes Council that new innovations are seemlessly integrated into our daily lives without incident.

Through dedicated teamwork and commitment, the Council celebrates 20 years of responsible operation.

Thank you Safety Codes Council for making Alberta a safe place to live, work, and play.

Executive DirectorAlberta Construction Safety AssociationThe Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) is a non-profit organization funded and directed by industry. It provides occupational health and safety training throughout Alberta by addressing regional health and safety issues and initiatives through its eight Regional Safety Committees. These committees are committed to helping employers and workers reduce workplace injury through the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program for ACSA members and associate members in Alberta.

Alberta Construction Safety Association

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Thank you to our sponsors The Safety Codes Council wishes to thank all sponsors for their generous support of our 20th Anniversary Celebration event. Special thanks to Alberta Onsite Wastewater Management Association (AOWMA) and the Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) for providing this evening’s entertainment and Art Gallery of Alberta admission for our guests.

The Alberta Onsite Wastewater Management Association (AOWMA) would like to congratulate the Safety Codes Council on their 20th Anniversary.

In its role as guardian of the public safety, the Safety Codes Council is a vital component of the regulatory framework in the Province. As a stakeholder engaged in the activity of providing safe services for the people of Alberta, the AOWMA appreciates the integrity and commitment of the Safety Codes Council’s leadership, staff and volunteers.

Congratulations on 20 years of service to the Province of Alberta!

President Alberta Onsite Wastewater Management Association (AOWMA)

The Alberta Onsite Wastewater Management Association (AOWMA) is the provincial not-for profit organization established to educate, train and certify industry professionals. The association engages its member installers, septage haulers, suppliers, municipalities and provincial government departments to arrive at sound practices that strengthen the industry, and ensure safe and effective septage management for all rural Alberta.

Thank you for joining

us for the Safety Codes

Council 20th Anniversary

Celebration.

Your attendance and ongoing

interest and partnership in

the Council is appreciated

and valued.

Keep up-to-date on council

activitity by visiting

www.safetycodes.ab.ca

Also thank you to:

Zinc Catering / Zinc Restaurant

Executive Chef David Omar, Zinc Restaurant

Enterprise Ensemble

Art Gallery of Alberta

www.safetycodes.ab.ca