September 1, 2008

By the Numbers

Number of deaths climbed in 2007 says B.C. Safety Authority

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

There was an increase in the number of deaths recorded by the B.C. Safety Authority in 2007, with electrical technologies representing the largest share of the increase.

The authority released its fourth annual State of Safety Report.

It assesses new and operating equipment, issues licenses to contractors, as well as certificates of qualification to workers.

The report summarizes yearly incidents in the province in relation to the seven technologies the authority regulates.

“In 2007, there were 329 reported incidents that were directly related to regulated equipment or operations,” said the report. “There were 11 fatalities and 161 injuries. No injuries were reported as the outcome of 192 incidents. Injuries or fatalities occurred in 137 incidents. Of the 161 injuries, 88 per cent were minor injuries.”

There were five fatalities in 2006, which means deaths increased by more than 50 per cent in 2007.

In contrast to the increase, the number of incidents reported to the BCSA decreased 19 per cent in 2007 to 483, from 594 in the previous year.

The actual number of reported incidents was adjusted to 329, to make sure only incidents directly under the jurisdiction of the authority were counted.

The decrease in the number of incidents reported is a point of concern for the BCSA.

“We are still developing the relationships and systems that will give us a broader and deeper understanding of the accidents that have occurred,” said Harry Diemer, president and CEO of the BCSA.

“It is very important to us that our industry partners increase their levels of incident reporting. This is what gives us the data we need to identify hazards, assess trends and develop the solutions that will prevent incidents from occurring in the future. To that end we are committed to strengthening our relationships with industry partners and working with them to improve public safety.”

Out of the 11 reported fatalities in 2007, six fatalities involved electrical technology.

The remaining fatalities involved natural gas and propane technology (4), and escalators and elevators (1).

The other technologies regulated by the BCSA are: amusement rides and recreational railways; boilers, pressure vessels and refrigeration; passenger ropeways; and railways.

According to the report, individuals died as a result of fires in five of the incidents involving electrical systems and equipment.

The source of the fire could be reliably traced to faulty electrical equipment in only one case.

In many investigations, the fire damage was so extensive that there was little or no evidence with which to determine a source of ignition.

Electrical equipment could not be stated as the cause of the fire nor could it be decisively ruled out.

There was one death from electrocution, where the victim was attempting to steal copper cable from a high voltage power substation.

The BCSA is an independent, self-funded corporation that promotes safety in B.C., by partnering with business, industry, institutions and the general public.

The association aims to enhance the safety of technical systems, products, equipment and work.

The State of Safety Report 2007 can be viewed and downloaded through the safety authority website at www.safetyauthority.ca

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