The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation requires that employers and owners notify us about certain types of projects before they begin.

Construction

WorkSafeBC defines construction as any activity that includes erection, alteration, repair, dismantling, demolition, structural or routine maintenance, painting, land clearing, earth moving, grading, excavating, trenching, digging, boring, drilling, blasting, concreting or the installation of any machinery. If your project involves these activities and is either:

• estimated to cost more than $100,000 (including labour and materials), or
• designed (in whole or part) by a professional engineer (excluding pre-engineered or pre-manufactured components), you will need to submit an NOP-Construction (NOP-C).

You will also need to submit an NOP-C if your project includes the new erection, major alteration, structural repair or demolition of:

• a building more than 2 storeys or 6 m (20 ft) high,
• a bridge,
• an earth or water retaining structure more than 3 m (10 ft) high, or
• a silo, chimney or other similar structure more than 6 m (20 ft) high.

Also, an NOP-C needs to be submitted if workers may be required to enter:

• a cofferdam,
• a compressed air environment,
• a trench over 30 m (100 ft) long, or
• an excavation, other than a trench, over 1.2 m (4 ft) deep.

For more information, or to learn about projects that may require an NOP-C that are not listed above, read OHS Regulation 20.2.

Asbestos, lead, or other hazardous substances

If your construction project involves work with or in proximity to hazardous substances, including asbestos, lead, mould, radiation, or other biological or chemical agents that may expose workers to a significant risk of occupational disease, you generally need to file a Notice of Project (Hazardous substances) (NOP-H).

For more information or to learn about the specific requirements for filing an NOP-H, read OHS Regulation 20.2.1 (1), Guideline G20.2.1(2)(c) and Guideline G20.2.2.1(2)(d)

Forestry

If your project involves silviculture, cutting down trees that measure greater than 15cm (6") diameter at 30cm (12"), OR constructing access routes to forestry sites, AND the work is expected to last more than 5 working days, you need to file a Notice of Project – Forestry (NOP-F).

For more information or to learn about the specific requirements for filing an NOP-F, read OHS Regulation 26.4 and Guideline G26.1-1

Diving

If your project requires workers to dive for the purpose of performing construction or inspection activities; requires workers to dive into a contaminated environment, under ice, between nets, or into other areas of potential entrapment; dive to a depth that exceeds the no-decompression limit; OR breath mixed gas other than nitrox, you need to file a Notice of Project – Diving (NOP-D).

For more information or to learn about the specific requirements for filing an NOP-D, read OHS Regulation 24.9(1)(a) to (f).

Underground work

If your project requires workers to enter a tunnel or other underground structure that is under construction or otherwise not in its final structural condition as certified by a professional engineer, you need to file a Notice of Project – Underground Workings (NOP-U).

An NOP-U is not generally required for the following:

• Mines within the meaning of the Mines Act, or the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia
• Horizontal underground workings less than 5 m (16ft) in length
• Permanent underground facilities in their final structural condition as certified by a professional engineer
• Open excavations (these may require NOP-Construction – see above)

To learn more about underground workings and the requirements for an NOP-U, read OHS Regulation 22.6 and Guideline G22.2(2)

For more information

Still not sure if you need to submit an NOP? Contact our Prevention Information Line.