Compliance and safety news for the propane industry


December 2023 

SAFETY MINUTE

It’s crucial to have a winter plan in place for your organization. This includes guidelines on when vehicles should halt operations during severe weather, regular check-ins with drivers to assess their conditions, and the potential cancellation of deliveries if drivers’ hours of service are nearing their limit. Anticipated storm conditions should not justify exceeding allotted hours. The only exception for extending hours due to unforeseen circumstances is if the weather was unpredictably severe. 

.

.

.

.

Please note that the CPA and PTI offices will be closed from Monday, December 25, 2023, and will reopen on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

BIG WIN for industry - Training no longer required to refuel propane vehicles!

The B149.2 Committee is revising regulations to eliminate the requirement for public training in refuelling propane vehicles at service stations nationwide. These revisions are slated to appear in the upcoming 2025 edition of the code, with provinces commencing their implementation afterward. 

The use of the new European nozzle is part of the changes industry will see, along with specifics regarding how the fuelling pump must be installed.

This significant change will place propane on par with gasoline and diesel at service stations across the country.  This update aligns with European regulations that already allow public access to propane for vehicles. The code in the USA will be changed for similar allowances.  Something to look forward to in the next B149.2 publication! 

Reminder: New TDG Registration Database requirements

The Regulations Amending the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Site Registration Requirements) were published in Part II of the Canada Gazette on October 25, 2023.   

To address some of the concerns raised in an internal audit of Transport Canada’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods Program in 2006, and the 2011 and 2020 follow-up Audit report of the Office of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, these regulatory amendments are introducing new requirements to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations that: 

  • require that persons who import, offer for transport, handle or transport dangerous goods at a site located in Canada that they own or operate be registered in a new registration database if applicable; and 
  • require that all registered persons provide administrative information and information concerning the dangerous goods and operations being conducted at their respective Site located in Canada that they own or operate. 

Persons who are required to register in the database will have up to one year after the coming into force date of the amendments to complete their registration, until October 25, 2024. The amendments came into force on the day on which they were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II.   

To find more information on the registration database and process, please visit https://tc.canada.ca/en/dangerous-goods/client-identification-database-cid 

A Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement) follows the regulatory text and provides a plain language explanation of why the changes were needed and a description of the main changes that were made. It provides Transport Canada’s rationale for making the changes and the expected costs and benefits that will result from the amendment.

ZLINE gas range recall expands consumer options

ZLINE is expanding the remedies available to consumers regarding its gas ranges that were recalled in January 2023. The recall involves ranges with model numbers RG30, RGS-30, RGB-30, RG36, RGS-36, RGB-36, RG48, RGS-48 and RGB-48. The oven of the gas ranges can emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide while in use, posing a serious risk of injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning. ZLINE is now offering consumers a replacement range or a refund. For more information visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website 

ECCC Webinar: Reducing Landfill Methane Emissions

Environment and Climate Change Canada will host a webinar to share information on opportunities to create credits and regulatory policy that aims to reduce methane emissions at landfills that accept municipal solid waste.  

Market-based and Regulatory Policies for Reducing Landfill Methane Emissions
Date: Monday, December 4, 2023 
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 PM ET  
Registrar here. 

Those interested in attending can choose from two dates – December 4 or 5.    

The webinar will provide an overview of available federal credit opportunities for projects that reduce methane emissions through recovery and either flaring landfill gas or using this resource as a fuel (e.g. heat, electricity and renewable natural gas). The following credit opportunities will be covered

In April 2023, ECCC published a Proposed Regulatory Framework for new federal regulations that aim to reduce Canadian landfill methane emissions. This webinar will provide an update on regulatory development and on the regulatory thresholds and implementation timelines under consideration.   

For further information, email ECCC at:
ges-dechets-ghg-waste@ec.gc.ca 

BC: New rail rules now in effect

Before the end of the year, Technical Safety BC will recommend that the province officially adopt the latest editions of four federal railway rules: 

  1. Railway Locomotive Inspection and Safety Rules 
  2. Canadian Railway Operating Rules  
  3. Rules Respecting Track Safety  
  4. Railway Extreme Heat and Fire Risk Mitigation Rules 

These rules improve safety around uncontrolled movements, roll-away protection, extreme weather and wildfire risks, and track inspection and maintenance requirements. The CPA encourages you to read the new rules to learn how they may affect your operations and to familiarize yourself with the changes. For any questions about the new rules, please email Craig McLean. 

BC: Update on advertising requirements for licensed contractors

Technical Safety BC has reconsidered its approach to its requirements for advertising licensed and regulated services. It is now optional for contractors to add TSBC licence numbers to fleet vehicles, storefronts, and other assets as opposed to mandatory as previously required. 

Concerns from contractors and industry associations about the impacts of adding licence numbers to these assets resulted in TSBC revising its requirements, which was Phase 3 of its Regulation Changes to Contractor Advertising.  Adding TSBC licence numbers to digital and print advertising (Phase 1 and 2 of the advertising requirements) is still required.  

TSBC has also prepared a media kit for contractor use.

For any questions, contact Meryl Howell-FellowsAdvisor, Insights & Engagement with Technical Safety BC at 1 866 566 7233. 

AB: New STANDATA provides contact information for provincial certification and inspection bodies

Alberta Municipal Affairs has issued the STANDATA bulletin20-GCB-05(REV9), Non-certified appliances and equipment require special inspection and approval. In Alberta, under the Safety Codes Act, the inspection and approval of non-certified gas-fired appliances and equipment is to be conducted by nationally recognized certification bodies or inspection bodies accredited by the Standards Council of Canada. The bulletin provides contact information for certification and inspection bodies currently operating in Alberta.  

For more information on Alberta Safety Codes, visit www.alberta.ca/safety-codes. For any questions, email: safety.services@gov.ab.ca. 

ON: TSSA seeking feedback on its proposal for annual licensing for propane distributors

TSSA is seeking feedback on its Licensing Modernization Initiative. They are proposing annual licensing of specific entities, facilities, and activities, including:  

  • Propane Distributors 
  • Liquid Fuel Distributors and Private Fuel Outlets  
  • Digester, Landfill and Biogas Plants  
  • Operating Engineer Plants 

The annual licensing will provide TSSA with a ‘touchpoint’/contact on a regular basis.  

You are encouraged to submit your feedback here by January 12, 2024. 

Once feedback has been received, TSSA will submit a proposal to the Ontario government for regulation changes to enable annual licensing. 

This online consultation is part of the first phase of several stakeholder engagement exercises intended to introduce stakeholders to the Initiative, gather inputs, and understand concerns. 

Don’t get caught in the cold! 

Now that we are in the heart of construction heating season, it’s a great time to review your team’s certifications, as well as those whom you supply with propane. PTI offers a robust array of industry-specific courses tailored to the propane industry.

400-01 and 400-03 temporary construction heat courses ensure workers are certified to safely use propane and store propane cylinders on work sites. PTI also offers the 400-08 connection and use of propane torches course that can be used for winter railway maintenance.

Find a local trainer in your area on the PTI website or sign up for our new PTI Train the Trainer course to set up your in-house trainer by emailing our team at training@propane.ca.

Upcoming CPA Committee Meetings

Atlantic Committee Meeting
Location:
Courtyard Halifax – Dartmouth
35 Shubie Drive, Dartmouth, NS, B3B 0G2
Date:
January 23, 2024
Time:
9:00 am – 11:00 am AT

Alberta Committee Meeting
Virtual Meeting
Date:
January 25, 2024
Time:
9:00 am – 10:30 am MT

British Columbia Committee Meeting
Virtual Meeting
Date:
March 7, 2024
Time:
10:00 am – 12:00 pm PT

CPA Events - SAVE THE DATES!

CPA Ontario Lobby Day

When: February 27, 2024
Where: Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON

Please RSVP your attendance to Chris Crawford at chriscrawford@propane.ca.

Canadian Propane Association 2024 Leadership Summit 

When: May 14-16, 2024
Where: Ottawa Marriott Hotel
100 Kent Street
Ottawa, ON  K1P 5R7

Canadian Propane Association 2024 Atlantic Seminar & Golf Tournament

When: June 4-5, 2024
Where: Rodd Brudenell River Resort
86 Dewars LN, Cardigan, PE

National Propane Day - March 20, 2024!

Save the date! Canada’s second annual National Propane Day is Wednesday, March 20. Taking place on the third Wednesday of every March, NPD is an opportunity to celebrate Canada’s propane industry and promote awareness about all the amazing benefits of propane. 

Other Industry Events

January 16-18: 21st Annual BC Natural Resources Forum

Shaping Tomorrow: BC’s Resource Sector and Future Generations

This year’s Forum will dive deep into the importance of interconnected decision-making through meaningful partnerships between First Nations, Government, and the BC Resource Sector.

Where: Prince George, BC.
Register here

February 29 - March 2: Young Women in Energy (YME) Summit

Content will span leadership development, gender diversity and energy industry thought leadership, and curated networking with like-minded women.

Where: Kananaskis, AB.
More details

January 21-23: 2024 ROMA Conference

The 2024 Conference will have all of the critical rural municipal issues front and centre for you to engage, learn, network and bring innovative solutions to your community.

Where: Toronto, ON.
More details