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Notice of Project (Construction) form modified

Richmond, B.C., September 20, 2008 —The Notice of Project for Construction (NOPC) form has been modified to accommodate use of an Assured Grounding Program (AGP) in lieu of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) on construction and demolition sites. The following background information is provided to help understand the change:

  • Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) section 19.15(1) requires that portable electrical equipment used outdoorsor in a wet or damp location be protected by an approved GFCI unless another acceptable means of protection is provided.
  • Since 1999, WorkSafeBC has accepted an AGP as another acceptable means of protection. An AGP is a program of worker training and extension cord inspection, testing and labelling. This program is explained in WorkSafeBC OHS Guideline G19.15(1) Ground fault circuit interrupters and other acceptable means.
  • In 2007, the BC Electrical Safety Regulation (a regulation of the Safety Standards Act) adopted the 2006 Canadian Electrical Code which included the following requirement:

    Section 76-016 – Receptacles
    15 A and 20 A receptacles installed to provide power for buildings or projects under construction or demolition shall be protected by ground fault circuit interrupters of the Class A type.

  • No provision is available in the Code for alternate means of protection such as an AGP. The Code is administered by 9 electrical authorities across B.C. These authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) require that all work performed under electrical permits obtained on or after April 15, 2007 is performed with use of GFCI.
  • Some construction companies have invested substantial money and time on an AGP and routinely wish to use this program instead of GFCIs, due to reported “nuisance tripping” of GFCIs in damp locations. However, with the new electrical regulation in place, they cannot utilize that program in lieu of GFCI unless a variance has been issued by the electrical AHJ.

WorkSafeBC consulted with electrical authorities and construction industry stakeholders and has now modified the Notice of Project for Construction form to include an electrical declaration for each project. This enables the submitter to inform WorkSafeBC of their intention to seek a variance from the electrical AHJ so that an AGP can be utilized in lieu of GFCI. The NOPC declaration will require the submitter to declare whether GFCI will be used or application to the electrical AHJ for variance to use AGP will be made. A copy of the NOPC that has been submitted to WorkSafeBC can then be included by an applicant with any variance application to the electrical AHJ. This will assure the AHJ that WorkSafeBC is aware of the declared practice at that work site. The updated NOPC form is available on WorkSafeBC.com.

Note: For a short interim period, there may be circumstances where an employer has submitted an NOPC prior to September 20, 2008 or otherwise has used the old form, and now determines that they need to provide the electrical declaration. This should not be done by submitting a new NOPC to WorkSafeBC. The submitter should send the electrical declaration wording in a letter, together with the pre-existing NOPC number for cross-reference, to WorkSafeBC. Please fax, mail or e-mail the letter to WorkSafeBC Prevention Support Services, PO Box 5350 Stn Terminal, Vancouver BC V6B 5L5, Phone 604 276-3100, Fax 604 276-3247, e-mail Prevnop@worksafebc.com. Support Services will keep the original letter with the pre-existing NOPC and send a copy of the letter to the appropriate WorkSafeBC regional office. Any questions about this procedure should be directed to Support Services.