News, Views and Updates from the Electrical Safety Authority
BULLETINS
INCLUDED
NEW
DIGITAL
FORMAT
45%
What’s
Inside
3
PRICE
DECREASE
Technically
Speaking
5
Hire an LEC
Campaign
Fall 2015
Find out
what’s new
with the
Ontario
Electrical
Safety Code!
p.4
1-877-esa-safe
7
esasafe.com
Electrical Workers
Still at Risk
Electrical Safety Enforcement
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Electrical Safety
Enforcement
Convictions of Unlicensed
Individuals
Technically
Speaking
2015 Code
Book Pricing
Hire an LEC
Campaign
Customer Service
Centre Update
Electrical Workers
Still at Risk
Spotlight on
Common Defects
Bonus Content
Our Mission:
To improve electrical safety
for the well-being of the
people of Ontario.
Our Vision:
An Ontario where people can
live, work and play safe from
electrical harm.
Connect with us:
@homeandsafety
facebook.com/
ElectricalSafetyAuthority
Electrical Safety Authority
1-877-esa-safe
2
Year-to-Date Convictions
June 1, 2015 – Aug. 31, 2015
esasafe.com
Bast Electric, operating as Bast
Electric, Waterloo
Restaurant renovation
• $2,000 fine, plus $300 costs
– no EC licence
• $1,000 fine, plus $150 costs
– failure to apply
Chi Wah Mak, operating as E & K
Renovation and Maintenance Co., Ottawa
Commercial renovation
• $1,000 fine, plus $250 victim surcharge
– no EC licence
• $1,000 fine, plus $250 victim surcharge
– failure to apply
Enio Dolcetti, Sturgeon Falls
Restaurant renovation
• $1,500 fine, plus $385 victim surcharge
and costs – no EC licence
Elpotech Inc., Ottawa
As an unlicensed contractor, performed
electrical work on multiple locations using
permits obtained by a Licensed Electrical
Contractor. (Has since obtained an
Electrical Contractor Licence.)
• $ 8,000 fine, plus $1,040 victim
surcharge & costs – no EC licence
• $2,000 fine, plus $260 victim
surcharge & costs – failure to apply
Joe Mastronardi, Windsor
Kitchen renovation
• $1,500 fine plus $375 victim surcharge
– no EC licence
Bill Thomson, Barrie
Commercial Renovation
• $750 fine, plus $125 victim surcharge
– hiring an unlicensed electrical contractor
Convictions of Licensed Electrical
Contractors
Garmack Electric, Ottawa
Permitted unlicensed electrical
contractor to work under their permits
• $ 8,000 fine, plus $1,040 victim
surcharge
JW Electric & Controls, Leamington
• $1,000 fine, plus $250 victim surcharge
– failure to apply
If you are aware of anyone doing electrical work in
violation of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code or
electrical contractor licensing regulations, report
it to ESA at 1-877-372-7233 or at esasafe.com.
ESA looks into every such report we receive.
Honouring our
Safety Partners
On Sept. 24, 2015, we recognized three of our safety
partners for their unique, effective and interactive
methods of educating the public and the workforce
about electrical safety. Read all about the Ontario
Electrical Safety Awards on page 9 and 10.
The Safety Awards are open to all ESA stakeholders
including LECs. If you have worked on an interesting safety initiative, or
you have an electrical safety situation to share that you have encountered
and rectified, ESA could be giving you an Electrical Safety Award at next
year’s awards. Watch for the “Call for Nominations” in upcoming
issues of Plugged In.
Technically
technicallySpeaking
speaking
New Photovoltaic Rapid Shutdown Rule
Helps Protect Emergency Responders
In the last several years, solar
installations on buildings have
increased, especially in Ontario. The
new edition of the Ontario Electrical
Safety Code (Code), which comes
into effect on May 5, 2016, contains
interesting changes and new
requirements for solar photovoltaic
(PV) installations, including a
requirement for rapid shutdown.
This new requirement will help
decrease the risk faced by emergency
responders — particularly
firefighters — when arriving at a
building with a PV system. It will
streamline the shutdown process
to be similar to that of a utility
service – readily accessible with a
clearly labeled switch dedicated to
this purpose. However, PV systems
continue to produce power even
after the rapid shutdown process;
a shock hazard remains, so further
actions are required.
New Rule 64-218 “Photovoltaic
system rapid shutdown” requires
quick and safe de-energization
of the downstream electrical
equipment to address this inherent
shock hazard. The intent of the Rule
is not to provide design specification
for the rapid shutdown process,
but rather to specify the required
outcome, including:
must be controlled by rapid
shutdown. The PV source conductors
(conductors between PV modules
and from PV modules to the
combiner) may remain energized.
• w
hich circuits are required
to be de-energized;
• acceptable voltage; and
• time to archive that voltage.
Rapid shutdown does not actually
mandate 0 volts on these controlled
circuits. Instead, the Rule requires
the source and output conductor
voltage be limited to 30V and
240VA within 10 seconds of rapid
shutdown initiation. A rapid
shutdown initiator is required to be
a single device and may be a utility
disconnect switch, distributed
generator (DG), disconnect switch
or rapid shutdown switch.
Rapid shutdown requirements
apply to solar PV systems installed
on buildings and the entire system
— including the PV source and
output conductors, inverter input
and output conductors, batteries,
and charge controller input and
output conductors.
These requirements apply to
solar PV circuits that are more
than three metres from a PV array
or circuits that extend more than
1.5 metres in length inside a
building (see Diagram 1). For
example, where a combiner box
is installed within three metres
of a PV array on a typical roofmounted PV installation, the PV
output circuits and AC circuits
Diagram 1 – PV system conductors outside the marked area
are required to be controlled with RAPID SHUTDOWN
3m
Rule 64-218 does not specify the
location of the rapid shutdown
initiator but, considering it is to be
used by emergency responders,
the most suitable location is typically
at or near the service equipment.
A new sub-rule related to rapid
shutdown markings is Rule 64200(2). A marking shall be provided
at the disconnecting means for the
PV output circuit (DG source
disconnect). The marking must
be in white uppercase letters
(minimum height of 9.5 mm) and
on a red background. See Figure 1:
3m
PV System equipped with rapid shutdown
Figure 1 Sample marking
1.5m
INTERIOR
1.5m FROM ARRAY
3m
EXTERIOR 3m FROM ARRAY
Once the 2015 Code is published, a
new bulletin, 64-6-0, will be issued
to provide further clarification about
the requirements, including some
examples of how to satisfy them.
• News, Views and Updates from ESA
3
2015 Code Book Pricing
Essential Tool of the Trade Will Be
Available at a New Lower Price
ESA has collaborated with its safety partners to produce a new edition
of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code that reflects feedback from
stakeholders, technical reviews and new safety insights.
The new 2015 Code has been finalized and will come into effect
as regulation on May 5, 2016. Electrical work conducted after the
effective date needs to meet its requirements. Changes to the 2015
edition are designed to enhance electrical safety and protect workers
and the public.
This year, ESA is excited to partner with the CSA Group to offer the
Code book and all ESA bulletins – which provide important updates
and interpretations – together for one price and at a significantly
reduced rate from prior years. It will be available in print for $219 or
a searchable, digital format for $195 – accessible on smart phones,
tablets and desktops and compatible with Windows and iOS.
The 2015 Code is
available for purchase at
www.csagroup.org/oesc.
NEW for 2015
• New lower price
– 45 per cent
less, including
subscription for
ESA bulletins!
• Available
electronically
or hardcopy.
LEC Survey
Results
79
%
79% of LECs buy
bulletins for the
most up-to-date
regulatory and
industry information.
4
• News, Views and Updates from ESA
Hire an LEC Campaign
technically speaking
You Can Help
Raise Awareness!
Campaign Educates Consumers
about Hiring an LEC
The LEC Store offers
customizable merchandise
(priced at-cost), such as lawn
signs, door hangers, T-shirts
and truck magnets. Each
product has ESA campaign
information on one side and can
be customized with company
logos and business information
on the other. This is a great
opportunity to support the
campaign and spread the
message about the importance
of hiring a Licensed
Electrical
Contractor.
Order Online!
Did you know that consumers
who saw ESA’s latest ads
were twice as likely to hire a
Licensed Electrical Contractor
(LEC)? ESA’s fall campaign,
which launched at the
beginning of October 2015,
will help ensure homeowners
understand the legal requirements of hiring an LEC for any electrical
work needed in the home.
Targeting Homeowners and Renovations
LECStore.ca
The goal of this year’s campaign is to intervene at key moments
in the consumer’s journey to a planned renovation.
The first phase, running from October to December, focuses on
consumers searching for service providers, budgeting and project
planning. The objective is to increase awareness about the importance
of hiring an LEC, and to drive the consumer to the “Find an LEC” tool
DON’T GET BURNED.
on the ESA website.
T-shirts,
magnets
and more!
DON’T
GET BURNED.
HIRE A LICENSED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR.
Jim’s Electrical Associates
416-000-0000
ESA/ECRA # 0000000
Jim’s Electrical Associates
416-000-0000
ESA/ECRA # 0000000
HIRE A LICENSED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR.
The second wave of the campaign is planned for January to March
2016 and will focus on consumers in the early stages of planning a
renovation. Advertising will be strategically placed in magazines
such as Canadian House & Home, Canadian Living and Style at Home
to capture the attention of this audience.
HIRE A LICENSED
ELECTRICAL
CONTRACTOR.
IT'S THE LAW.
Jim’s Electrical
Associates
416-000-0000
ESA/ECRA # 0000000
Wiring Fees Increase Effective Jan. 8, 2016
Earlier this year, ESA consulted with stakeholders through
advisory councils and an open call for comment regarding
wiring fee changes. ESA will be implementing an average one
per cent wiring fee increase effective Jan. 8, 2016 for the
majority of wiring fee items, with the following exceptions:
•
Fees for New Residential Single Family and New
Apartment Buildings – an adjustment will be made to the
way these fees are structured.
•
All Service Reconnect fees will equalize at the 2015 rate
of $296 followed by the 2016 one per cent fee increase;
A copy of the updated fee guide will be available in early
December on www.esasafe.com.
•
All Miscellaneous fees will equalize at the 2015 rate
of $150 followed by the 2016 one per cent fee increase;
Detailed information on these fee changes and the consultation
process can be found at www.esasafe.com/consultations.
Questions? Contact ESA at 1-877-ESA-SAFE (372-7233).
•
Labour fee and Plan Review items increase by 1.75 per cent;
• News, Views and Updates from ESA
5
Customer Service Centre Update
Significant Updates
Made to Online
Application System
In the last several months, the Customer Service
Centre (CSC) has made significant updates to ESA
Online Services. These upgrades have improved
the customer service experience and represent a
number of requests received from LECs.
More Flexibility and an Improved
User Experience
Upgrades made in June now allow LECs more flexibility
for payments and taking out applications for inspection.
LECs can now:
• pay by credit card for permits and account
balances;
• access a detailed invoice history;
• delete applications that have not been processed; and
• manage and update account information online.
A second upgrade in September improved the user
experience even more.
LECs can now:
• receive a notification number as soon as they
submit their application, if all criteria are met;
• view calendars to see when an inspector will be
in the area, and book the “ready” date/application
for inspection during those times (non-ACP);
• reschedule both ACP and non-ACP work online; and
• schedule disconnect/hold inspections online
up to 60 days in advance.
What hasn’t changed? Pre-authorized disconnect/
reconnect applications must still be sent to the
Customer Service Centre to validate ACP eligibility,
which can take up to 24 hours.
For additional information about ESA Online Services,
contact 1-877-ESA-SAFE (372-7233) or email
[email protected].
6
• News, Views and Updates from ESA
Change to CSC Hours on Dec. 11
CSC phone lines will be open from noon – 4:30 p.m.
on Dec. 11 to allow for a once-annual staff briefing
and training meeting in the morning.
The after-hours service line will continue to
be available for emergencies only by calling
1-877-ESA-SAFE.
Look for the “New” Icon!
New
Changes made to enhance existing
features of ESA Online Services are
highlighted by a “NEW” icon. Clicking on it
provides a description of the changes. All future
upgrades to existing features will be marked
with this “New” icon to make it easier for you
to identify changes.
CSC Phone Service Update
April 1, 2015 – June 30, 2015:
Volume
Service Level
136,759
calls
75% of calls
Average Wait
Time for Calls
to be Answered
Average
call length
38 seconds
answered in
30 seconds or less
5 minutes
16 seconds
Worth Knowing
Electrical Workers Still at Risk
Last year marked the first time in five years that no
electrical workers died on-the-job from an electrical
contact or fire. Statistics show there is one electrical
worker fatality on average each year, and more than
5,500 visits to the emergency room caused by critical
electrical-related occupational injuries.
While the 2014 fatality rate is a significant
accomplishment, there were still three critical injuries
due to electrical contact last year – injuries that can
have a devastating impact on the person injured, their
families and their colleagues. More work needs to be
done to ensure electrical safety on the job.
Although there were no fatalities for electrical workers
last year due to an electrical incident, the 2014
Ontario Electrical Safety Report (OESR) states that
eight Ontario workers died on-the-job in an electrical
incident in 2013. In 2014, there were two. Although
this represents a 75 per cent decrease, the fact remains
that two workers lost their lives in an electrical
incident in the past year. That’s two too many.
The OESR further reports that in the last 10 years,
30 per cent of occupational electrical-related fatalities
involved workers in the electrical trades.
Why are Electrical Workers Still Getting
Injured Every Year?
One of the main causes of occupational electricalrelated injury is not following proper procedure.
Another is working on energized electrical equipment.
ESA investigations into electrical fatalities and injuries
found that individual behaviour affects the decisions
made by workers. In order to prevent future electrical
injuries and fatalities, we need to understand why
these decisions are being made.
Preventing Injuries and Fatalities
It’s up to all of us to flag unsafe situations so we can
improve electrical safety for all Ontarians.
As an LEC, there is a lot you can do to minimize risks
for you, your team, and your customers.
The single most important action to prevent electricalrelated injuries and fatalities is to turn the power off.
Other important steps to maximize safety on-the-job:
• always follow your electrical training, and remind
others working with or around you of the proper
protocol;
• wear the required Personal Protective Equipment
as outlined in the CSA-Z462 Workplace Electrical
Safety Training standard and ensure those around
you do the same; and
• know and understand the equipment you’re
working on.
What are the Next Steps?
There are several factors, both internal and external,
that influence workers’ judgment, decision-making
and behaviour. ESA is conducting behavioural research
to understand the underlying dynamics that cause
otherwise trained, professional electrical workers to
take on unnecessary risks or choose to work unsafely.
Once these factors are identified and the research is
completed, ESA will share the results with the public, and
work to design and implement effective interventions
that will result in changed and safer workplace behaviour.
There are also proposals in place for an outreach
to colleges to intervene early in the career path of
electrical workers, and increase awareness of safety
risks with electrical apprentices. ESA will take the
insights from this research to design, implement and
evaluate targeted policies, initiatives, communications
and other interventions that produce the desired
breakthrough in behaviour not only for electrical
apprentices, but for all electrical workers.
Critical Injuries and Fatalities
All
Occupations
41%
DECREASE
Electrical
Workers
18%
DECREASE
Five-Year Average In Ontario For Occupational Worker Safety
• News, Views and Updates from ESA
7
Spotlight
on Common
Defects
technically
speaking
Outdoor Holiday
Decorating
Increase Safety, Save Time and Money –
Know the Requirements
A GFCI-protected receptacle is
recommended to protect people
from shock when plugging in
outdoors. Specific covers have been
created for outdoor receptacles to
help protect against the elements
even when a cord is left plugged
in. This is especially important
during the holiday season for
outdoor decorating!
Over the past year, ESA inspectors identified more than 3,000 defects
related to Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). The GFCI receptacle is
an important safety tool for reducing the risk of shock hazards in kitchens,
bathrooms and other areas of the home where outlets are near sinks,
wash basins (complete with drainpipe), bathtubs, or shower stalls.
26-700(11) GFCI Receptacles Required
All 5-15R and 5-20R receptacles within 1.5 metres of
sinks (wash basins complete with drainpipe), bathtubs,
or shower stalls shall be protected by a ground fault
circuit interrupter of the Class A type, except where
the receptacle is intended for a stationary appliance
designated for the location, and located behind the
stationary appliance such that it is inaccessible for
use with general-purpose portable appliances.
26-710(n) Outdoor Receptacles –
GFCI Requirement
Rule 26-710(n) – In residential
occupancies, all outdoor receptacles,
except for automobile heater
receptacles installed outdoors and
within 2.5 metres of finished grade,
shall be protected with a ground fault
circuit interrupter of the Class A type.
See Bulletin 26-28-* for additional
information.
Test GFCIs Monthly
Spotlight on Common Defects is a new, regular
section in Plugged In to help you better understand
Code requirements to reduce defects.
What’s Happening
2015 Licence
Holder Meeting
Nov. 24, 2015
– Belleville
Closures
Dec. 11, 2015 – Customer Service Centre phone lines will
be closed from 7 a.m. – noon (see pg.6)
Dec. 24, 2015 – Christmas Eve
Dec. 25, 2015 – Christmas Day
Jan. 1, 2015 – New Year’s Day
Prefer to receive an
e-version of Plugged In
rather than print?
Email
[email protected]
Check out the
Digital Edition of
Plugged In Today!
Digital extras include:
• Photo galleries and videos
• Convenience of reading it anytime,
anywhere on your smart phone or tablet
• Bonus content
The digital copy is available at: www.esasafe.com/esa-newsletters
We’d like your input
today!
1-877-esa-safe
Please send your comments or story ideas
to [email protected].
esasafe.com
• BONUS CONTENT •
2015
Ontario Electrical
Safety Award Recipients
technically
speaking
Recipients Honoured for Innovative
Approaches to Improving Safety
We all have a role to play in working to improve
electrical safety in Ontario. ESA values the efforts of
our safety partners to improve the state of electrical
safety in the province. On Sept. 24, 2015, three of
these organizations were recognized for their unique,
effective and interactive methods of educating the
public and the workforce. All of the recipients took
improving electrical safety to new levels through
technology, social media and community involvement.
Their commitment to keeping our communities safe
and building a safer Ontario is just one of the reasons
they received their awards.
“ESA’s goal is to eliminate electrical fatalities and
injuries in Ontario and ensure the highest level of
public electrical safety,” said Scott Saint, ESA’s Chief
Public Safety Officer (CPSO). “The effort of this year’s
winners to protect and educate both workers and
members of the public on important safety messages
ensures we are that much closer to realizing a safer
Ontario.”
Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Government and Consumer
Services, Angela Coke, was on hand to present the
awards with ESA’s Chair of the Board, Brian Bentz.
The awards were established six years ago to formally
recognize the important contributions of individuals
and organizations toward achieving the vision of an
Ontario where people can live, work and play safe
from electrical harm.
L-R: David Collie, President & CEO, Electrical Safety Authority; Scott Saint, Chief Public Safety Officer, Electrical
Safety Authority; Ken Walsh, Chief Engineer and VP Operations, London Hydro; Steve Hibbert, Director of Energy
& Building Services, TO2015; Cynthia Tetaka, Manager, Corporate Communications, Hydro One Networks Inc.;
Lisa Williamson, VP, Health & Safety Environment, Hydro One Networks Inc.; Brian Buchan, Director of Media,
Communications and Municipal Stakeholder Relations, Toronto Hydro; Deputy Minister Angela Coke, Ministry of
Government & Consumer Services; Brian Bentz, Chair of the Board, Electrical Safety Authority.
9
• News, Views and Updates from ESA
• BONUS CONTENT •
2015 Ontario Electrical Safety Award Recipients
Consumer/
Home Safety
Toronto Hydro – for their
consumer awareness
campaigns aimed at keeping
communities safe. Toronto
Hydro covers such topics as
electrical safety at schools,
emergency preparedness
events, Brighter Nights
community events and other
consumer-focused activities.
Toronto Hydro utilizes multiple
communications channels to
proactively reach out to their
communities, including social
media, traditional media,
customer newsletters and
community events, which
provide them with an extensive
reach to convey their
important message.
Worker Safety
2015 WINNER
Consumer / Home Safety
TORONTO
HYDRO
2015 WINNER
Worker Safety
LONDON
HYDRO
Chief Public Safety
Officer Special
Recognition Award
Powerline Safety
Hydro One Networks Inc. –
for their “Electricity Discovery
Centre,” a 1,000 sq. ft. mobile
centre designed to engage and
educate consumers about
electrical safety, including
powerline safety and energy
saving tips. In 2014, the exhibit
was updated to include a wire
wall that offers visitors an
opportunity to safely examine
Hydro One’s powerlines.
The opportunity to see this
equipment up-close raises
awareness on the dangers
of downed powerlines.
London Hydro – for their
dedication to worker safety
through the development of
three smart phone applications that provide access to
safety information and reporting
tools. The applications cover
topics like Substation Access
Tools, Incident/Deficiency
Reporting, and the “Zapple”
application provides employees
with immediate access to a
wide variety of health and
safety information, emergency
contacts and health and safety
procedures/policies.
2015 WINNER
Powerline Safety
HYDRO ONE
NETWORKS INC.
Chief Public Safety Officer
Special Recognition Award
2015
PAN AM / PARAPAN AM GAMES
ORGANIZING
COMMITTEE
TO2015 Pan/Parapan
American Games Organizing
Committee – for their strong
commitment to ensuring that
athletes, workers, volunteers
and spectators alike were able
to participate in the Games free
from electrical harm. Through
their dedicated commitment to
electrical safety requirements,
the TO2015 organizing committee ensured public safety at
every stage, from construction
through to the closing ceremonies. The committee went
beyond simply complying with
regulation as it related to
Games venues and equipment;
they paved the way for ESA’s
involvement with ancillary
groups responsible for other
Games-related events such
as the torch relay events.
• News, Views and Updates from ESA
10
• BONUS CONTENT •
Defect
of the Month
technically
speaking
Tamper-Resistant Receptacles
More than 1,400 defects written
for Tamper-Resistant Receptacles
last year!
Every year in Ontario, about 80 children under the
age of 10 are brought to the emergency department
because of a severe shock or electrical burn. Many
of these injuries happen when little fingers, pens,
power outlets. By installing Tamper-Resistant
Receptacles, you add another level of safety that
prevents little ones from inserting foreign objects
into outlets causing a high risk of shock.
26-712(g) Tamper Proof Receptacle
Required
All 5-15R and 5-20R receptacles within a dwelling
shall be tamper resistant and so marked except for
those receptacles located above 2 metres from the
floor or grade, or those intended for a stationary
appliance and located such that they are inaccessible.
Do You Know the Requirements?
The requirement for Tamper-Resistant Receptacles
applies to new or replacement outlets in homes
installed two metres or less from the floor. Although
it’s not required to bring current outlets up to the
Code if they were installed prior to the 2009 Ontario
Electrical Safety Code, replacing the old ones with
Tamper-Resistant Outlets can help keep kids safe
from potentially serious electrical injuries.
Shutters restrict access in closed position
Standard C22.2 No. 42,
Clause 6.18 Marking
Tamper-Resistant Receptacles
are marked with “TR”
See Bulletin 26-25-* for additional information.
11
• News, Views and Updates from ESA