ELECTRICAL SAFETY AUTHORITY
STRATEGIC PLAN FY2011-2015
Getting to Zero.
A Commitment to Safety.
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Table of Contents
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Message from the President and CEO
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Message from the Chief Safety Officer
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ESA Vision and Mission
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Strategic Plan – at a glance
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The Evolution of Electrical Safety in Ontario
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Organizational Capabilities
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Strategies
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Corporate Overview
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Ontario Safety Report
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Appendix – Performance Measures
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Appendix – Balanced Scorecard
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Appendix – Understanding the Integrated Electrical Safety System
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Message from the President and CEO
The Electrical Safety Authority has made a
significant contribution to electrical safety in
only ten years of operation. As the ESA moves
into the next five to ten years, our strategic
direction will acknowledge the changing
electricity environment, address heightened
concerns about public safety and continue to
be a safety organizations leader in best
practice approaches.
relationships with electrical safety system
stakeholders are critical to achieving our
common safety solutions. It is important to
gather advice and guidance from the
communities we represent and safety partners
we work with. To this end, a new group will
be formed within the ESA that will focus on
building new partnerships and alliances and
strengthening existing ties.
To further improve electrical safety, it is
To reach our strategic goals, the ESA must
imperative to evolve our business and safety
methods, in turn finding new ways to prevent
electrical incidents or harms from occurring.
The ESA does not exist in a vacuum; regulation
and enforcement alone are no longer
sufficient to maintain safe conditions. As a
mission driven safety organization, we are
focussed on achieving sustainable safety
improvements and “getting to zero” fatalities
and serious injury.
add a broader range of preventative services
that target high-risk areas, such as early
education, worker communication, training,
and general public risk awareness, moreover
we must always:
 Maintain our power line safety strategy
 Respond to issues associated with an
aging infrastructure
 Encourage safe work practices for
electrical workers
 Extend our important public safety
messaging on electrical risks in homes
and the importance of using licensed
electrical contractors.
We have made a significant decision to
reorganize our business and restate our
strategies in terms of harm reductions. This
reorganization has allowed us to group
customer facing services under one
department; this will improve internal
customer accountability and external
customer service delivery. We have also
created the position of Chief Public Safety
Officer giving the regulatory part of our
business clear direction to influence safety
policy and increase the emphasis on codes and
standards.
Most importantly, we must reinforce our
safety leadership role and focus on the
severest electrical harms that injure and kill
workers and citizens. This is the greatest
public value we can provide, improving
electrical safety for the well being of the
people of Ontario.
David Collie
President and Chief Executive Officer
Electrical Safety Authority
As we move forward, it is evident that with
our limited resources and reach, strong
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Message from the Chief Public Safety Officer
There is much to be proud of, related to the
progress we have made towards improving
electrical safety in Ontario. For decades we
have seen continual reductions in the number
of electrocutions and electrical fire fatalities.
The electrocution rate and the electrical fire
momentous journey. We must focus on the
priority electrical safety issues that cause the
greatest harm.
Five specific harms account for over 70% of all
electrical contact and fire fatalities.
fatality rate declined steadily between 1999
and 2008. Although fatality rates can vary
significantly year by year there was a steady
downward trend in both electrocution and
fire fatality rates from about 2.3 death per
year per million population to approximately
1.3 deaths per year per million over the
period 1999-2008.
For every fatality there are hundreds of
incidents that result in property damage and
minor or serious injury. For example, for
every electrically related fire fatality in
Ontario per year there were approximately
500 electrically related fires. For every
workplace related electrocution, there were
approximately 14 electrical contact incidents
that resulted in some form of injury (as
reported to the Workers Safety and Insurance
Board). It is safe to assume that many others
that resulted in minor injury were not
reported.
In spite of the impressive progress made in
electrical contact and electrical fire related
fatality reduction there is still much work to
do. Almost 180 electrical contact and fire
fatalities occurred over the ten year period
from 1998 to 2008. Specifically there were
ninety-five electrical contact related
fatalities and eighty-five electrical fire
related fatalities. All of these fatalities were
preventable, and we must continue to be
vigilant as we work towards achieving our
mission of: An Ontario free of electrical
fatalities, serious injury, damage and loss.
The Ontario Electrical Safety Report provides
the information needed to start on this
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Electrical fire related fatalities
associated with the misuse of electric
cooking equipment (primarily electric
stoves)
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Electrical wiring related fatalities in
homes
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Power line contact related fatalities
among non-electrical workers the
general public
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Electrical contact fatalities among
trained electricians and other electrical
workers.
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Emerging harms, including incidents
related to aging street lighting systems,
aging electrical distribution systems and
the theft of copper from electrical
installations or the theft of power.
Each of the priority electrical safety harms
have distinct root causes and require tailor
made solutions involving prevention, detection
and enforcement.
Finally, we must mobilize and leverage the
resources and capabilities of our safety
partners; electrical harms do not confine
themselves to a single organization. Perhaps
the most important aspect in ‘reaching zero’ is
the engagement of all electrical safety
partners, together we are stronger and we can
reach our common goal.
Peter Marcucci
Vice President and Chief Public Safety Officer
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ESA Vision and
Mission
VISION STATEMENT
(the future we want to create by 2025)
Our long-term vision is an Ontario free of
electrical fatalities and serious injury, damage
or loss.
MISSION STATEMENT
(our purpose as an organization)
To improve electrical safety for the
well being of the people of Ontario.
STRATEGY STATEMENT
Alignment of our resources, leveraged with
other safety partners will reduce priority
electrical contact and fire harm. This must be
the key goal of the ESA. This overarching
strategy should be reflected in the
organizational structure, the enterprise risk
management system, the alignment of
employees, the external stakeholdering
process, proactive communications and the
funding model.
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Strategic Plan – at a glance
The FY2011-FY2015 Strategic Plan’s intent is twofold, one, to identify priority areas for
improvement in electrical safety and two, implement the long term strategies that will lead to
those improvements. Over the next few years, the ESA will focus on five safety risk areas where
the greatest benefits can be realized. The chart below identifies the safety risk, or harm
reduction priorities, and the four common strategic themes that thread through each harm
priority. As they can be specific to the harm priority and vary by effort, timeline and tasks, these
strategies are further defined in this document and will be added to our Annual Plan.
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The Evolution of Electrical Safety in Ontario
ESA’s Evolution
The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is a vibrant, dedicated organization with over a century of
experience keeping Ontarians safe from electrical hazards. No other electrical safety jurisdiction in
North America conducts as many inspections or has as large a safety footprint in the residential,
commercial and industrial building market as we do. Over the years, our safety mandate has
expanded beyond inspecting electrical wiring in buildings to include roadway and street lighting,
electricity distribution, contractor licensing, electrical product safety, trade shows and carnivals.
Organizations that are in a position to protect, regulate and educate the public must do so
responsibly, effectively and transparently. From the ESA’s earliest days as a department within
Ontario Hydro, to incorporation in 1998 as a delegated authority under the Provincial Government,
the ESA has focused largely on regulation and compliance. Since 1998 the ESA has evolved, adding
safety training and awareness services. Between 1999 and 2009, The Province expanded the ESA’s
safety mandate to include three new regulations dealing with additional aspects of electrical safety
that align with today’s priority electrical safety harms, they are: electricity distribution, contractor
licensing and product safety. The ESA understands it cannot successfully influence safety protocols
alone, we need strong partnerships and new prevention strategies based on harm reduction
priorities.
Going forward, the ESA recognizes there are best practices of leading safety organizations that can
be reviewed and adopted.
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Best Practices of Leading Safety
Organizations
A strategic priority for the ESA is the adoption
of the best practices of innovative and leading
safety organizations. These practices are:
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Adoption of problem solving approaches
Investment in collaborative partnerships
Focusing clearly on results
Adoption of a problem solving approach means
using risk assessment techniques that lead to a
focus on priority harms. Specific solutions
need to be designed for specific harms and
then implemented using a range of tools and
approaches. The macro level harm needs to be
disaggregated using data analysis techniques
until the priority harm and causes are
understood. For example, using the data
collected in our annual Safety Report to
understand that electrical fatalities in power
line contacts is occurring but that it is most
significant among non-electrical workers.
Collaborative Partnerships is about recognizing
that the ESA is part of a large and integrated
electrical safety system and that on its own it
cannot solve all safety incidents. A shared
sense of purpose with other electrical
stakeholders will lead to active engagement
and optimal leveraging of resources.
Finally, leading edge safety organizations
clearly focus on outcome measures, reduction
in fatalities, serious injuries and number of
incidents, not just output, activity or
productivity measures.
The ESA Journey to a Harm
Reduction Focus
Adopting the best practices of safety
organizations means our harm reduction
strategy is an evolution not a revolution. The
ESA has always been forward thinking and is
highly regarded by its peers and customers. We
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deliver unparalleled value and protection for
the people of Ontario. By explicitly framing our
5-year strategies around electrical harms allows
us to continue to evolve with purpose, knowing
the journey will help us “get to zero”.
Method to identify Harms
The method the ESA uses to identify harms is to
utilize the information collected, analyzed and
published in its Ontario Electrical Safety Report.
This report has been published since 2001 and
serves as an excellent basis from which to
identify harms.
The Safety Report contains incident and fatality
data related to:
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Electrocutions and electrical related injuries
Occupational and non-occupational
breakdown
Statistics by facility type, occupation type,
type of work, type of trade, equipment
worked on, equipment used while
performing the work, gender and
demographics
Power line and utility related equipment
Electrical fires resulting in fatalities
Electrical product safety
This data is a tremendous starting point, but the
ESA is always striving to improve data collection
and analysis.
Harm Reduction Priorities
Five harm areas have been identified after
reviewing the Ontario Electrical Safety Report
and consulting with staff, customers and other
stakeholders:
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Power Line Contact
Worker Safety
Electrical Product Safety
Aging Infrastructure
New Wiring Installations
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Power Line Contact-This relates to preventing
contact with overhead or underground power
lines, whether as a result of working close,
coming into contact accidentally while
undertaking other activities, or contacting
fallen power lines. From 2001 through the first
half of 2007 electrical fatalities related to
power line contacts represented more than
50% of the total reported incidents in Ontario.
Extensive risk analysis has identified several
high-risk groups and activities. As a result, we
know a lot about this harm area but significant
work is required to bring it under control. An
emerging harm associated with aged
electricity distribution systems requires
further understanding and potential action.
Worker Safety- Relates to significantly
reducing injuries and incidents associated with
unsafe work practices and procedures among
electrical workers. Safety data from the OESR
shows that one electrician or apprentice is
killed each year while working on a live
electrical system. Significant work is
underway to understand the nature of this
harm but more partnerships are required to
bring it under control.
Electrical Product Safety- Pertains to
reducing harm from product safety incidents,
(primarily the misuse of electrical products
such as stoves). With the support of
government and in collaboration with
stakeholders the ESA will continue to establish
a well-structured product safety system in
Ontario and support the establishment of a
national system to manage product safety
issues. The causes of significant product safety
issues are well understood, however many
product safety harms, for example,
counterfeit electrical products and fires
associated with misuse of electrical stoves
transcend Ontario’s boundaries. Ontario based
solutions will only address a portion of the
problem. More work is needed with
stakeholders across Canada and internationally
to bring these types of harms under control.
Aging Infrastructure- This refers to existing
buildings, with a particular focus on older
Getting to Zero – A Commitment to Safety
homes. Aging infrastructure also includes all
older infrastructures in the institutional,
commercial and industrial market including
street lighting.
Factors that increase risk include:
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The aging of existing wring and
equipment in our homes
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The increased usage of electrical
equipment
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The lack of maintenance and non-code
compliant alterations
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Extensions to wiring in homes
Recently there has been an increase in
incidents associated with street lighting
systems in older neighborhoods, towns or
cities. Work is underway to better understand
the nature of the harms associated with aged
wiring infrastructure, for example the 2008
Ontario Electrical Safety Report provides a
summary of recent research conducted to
“Better Understanding the Causes of
residential Wiring Fires”. Work is also
underway to develop minimum safety
standards for existing homes and standards for
the safe operation and maintenance of street
lighting systems. Additional work is required to
better understand the full nature of the harms
associated with aged wiring and implement
measures to control these harms.
New Wiring Installations– Simple to quantify
and regulate for a number of factors, not the
least, which is the ESA inspection visit. The
ESA will maintain the safety of new wiring
installations while allowing a realignment of
inspection and non-inspection resources to
higher priority harm areas.
This realignment will include a shift to
increased prevention activities, such as
supporting licensed electrical contractors and
other customers in implementing appropriate
safety and quality management systems.
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Our education and training programs will
expand beyond traditional safety and code
training to include safety curricula in the early
stages of apprentice education and in trade
schools. Prevention activities in the areas of
legislation and regulations, codes and
standards, promotion of new safety
technologies, licensing and certification, and
safety awareness programs will also extend our
safety vision.
Reaching these five harm priorities will require
careful planning and deliberate strategies. The
restructuring of our organizational capabilities
will serve as a solid foundation from which to
execute our mandate of “getting to zero”.
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Organizational Capabilities
The ESA has identified five organizational
capabilities necessary to ensure thorough
strategy execution and sustainable outcomes.
Each of these five capabilities is being
implemented in some way within the ESA. This
ensures the five harm reduction priorities are
aligned and contribute to achieving the 5-year
goal.
Effective Stakeholdering, Communication
and Leveraged Partnerships
A commitment for the ESA over the next 5
years is to extend working relationships with
electrical contractors to other key
stakeholders in the integrated electrical
system. The integrated electrical safety
system includes all stakeholders involved with
electricity, governments and regulatory bodies
that set policy and standards; the electrical
supply system; electrical equipment
manufacturers and installers; safety
organizations; educators and workers. Success
will be determined by our ability to seek out
and establish collaborative relationships, as
well as developing a common Ontario safety
strategy that results in fewer hazards and
incidents.
Safety Management Framework
A critical step towards reaching zero is the
continued implementation of the Safety
Management Framework (SMF). Over the past
two years, the ESA has refined its SMF
concepts and tools and will continue to involve
stakeholders in their use and implementation.
The SMF is a safety decision-making process
incorporating risk management tools,
identification and analysis of root causes,
response, and the monitoring of electrical
safety hazards.
Our stakeholder supported decision-making
process will ensure safety initiatives are
continuously reviewed and correctly
prioritized. This decision making process will
be consistent, transparent and defensible.
Analysis will then be shared with stakeholders
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through a consultation process, thereby
creating a public safety risk map. Policies,
best-in-class work practices and inspection
tools will then be developed. Recognizing the
hazard within the integrated electrical system
will be challenging but necessary in order to
deploy the right prevention, detection or
response activity by the right stakeholder.
Operations and Processes
Best-in-class operations and processes are
critical to support ESA’s long-term goal of zero
fatalities. Customer Service Centre
effectiveness and additional on-line tools will
keep pace with customer satisfaction
expectations. Capabilities found in quality
management systems and our existing
Electrical Safety Impact index will continue to
be implemented. Audit based inspection
capabilities will also be required to be able to
maintain high safety outcomes in new wiring.
People and Growth
ESA employees are passionate about safety
and committed to ensuring electrical
installations meet safety codes and regulatory
requirements. ESA employees make a valuable
difference in the safety of all Ontarians. Our
relationships with the stakeholders we serve
and regulate are strengthened through an
adaptive safety culture, where employee
passion is supported by increased knowledge
and involvement.
Funding Model and Financial Framework
Maintaining financial health is critical to
fulfilling our mandate and realizing our mission
and vision, education and training, public
electrical safety awareness, and outreach are
all essential to achieving our vision, but all
require funding. Unforeseeable events can
impact even the most prudent funding plans.
To ensure adequate resources, the ESA will
execute its Risk Management program, review
its funding models, build reserves and
maintain a strong cost control management
discipline to effectively manage any events
that may impact goals.
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Power Line Contact Reduction Strategy
Reduce power line contacts through the engagement of Local
Distribution Companies (LDCs) with internalized accountability
for the prevention of power line contacts among non-utility
workers and the public.
Align ourselves with LDCs that are focused on addressing
emerging issues of aging infrastructure.
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Create a “community safety champions” framework with leading LDCs
Exploit opportunities to improve power line safety among non-electrical
workers with Ontario’s new Safe Work Associations
With local distribution companies, municipalities and other stakeholders,
develop models to better manage issues associated with aging
infrastructure
Establish supports to include safety review as part of asset management
plan submissions and link to smart grid applications
Reduce non-value added activities based upon a risk assessment basis
Realign a small % of inspection staff to work with LDCs on community
safety (e.g. area construction site visits)
Develop process to respond to low probability high impact incidents
Research practices in other jurisdictions and expand due diligence with
LDC’s
Conduct further joint area information sessions with LDCs, other safety
regulators, municipalities and local area builders and contractors
Continue focused media campaigns provincially
Provide support and training for persons taking on utility regulation
(prevention) activities, recruit as required
Align the organizational structure to support seamless delivery of
activities from a geographic basis
Engage the stakeholder to adopt and support the application for power
line community safety funding initiatives as part of LDC rate applications
Establish supports to ensure that issues associated with aging
infrastructure are adequately funded
Build on existing power line safety strategy and seed monies provided via
pilot funds from reg. 22/04 (with support from UAC)
Engage partners and work with the leading LDCs to establish a
“community safety champions” alliance; engage Utilities and other
stakeholders to develop plans that address the safety of aging
infrastructure
Number of worker and non-worker power line related contact incidents
decrease from 231 incidents to 162
Worker Safety Strategy
Significantly reduce injuries and incidents associated with unsafe work practices
and procedures amongst electrical workers through collaboration with contractors,
industry, safe work associations (SWAs), trainers, educators and other safety
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regulators and organizations
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Gain support from key contractor stakeholders to continue proactive activities
aimed at electrical worker protection
Educate building owners and operators about their responsibilities when
requesting “live electrical” work, and indicate the safer alternatives
Include “working live authorization” as part of existing training, education and
awareness campaigns.
Develop better data on incidents to support root cause understanding and
initiative development
Enhance “don’t work live” messaging and the electrical safety plan as part of
the Continuous Safety Services program
Promote appropriate code and safety standards changes (i.e. nomenclature) to
support disconnection and working de-energized
Leverage ESA staff relationships with electrical workers to deliver safety
message directly to contractors, electricians and apprentices
Derive broader capabilities to assist contractors and the industry to develop and
implement electrical safety plans
Improve contractor support to include funding requirements as part of wiring
inspection or contractor licensing fees
Further develop strategic alliance with safety work associations, standards
bodies, contractors associations to augment ESA resources
Engage stakeholders to develop common goals and create a synergy of roles.
Implement Electrical Safety Plan to mining companies; focus safety programs on
347, multi meter and panel injuries; support the launch of Z462 in partnerships
with safe work associations and CSA; increase training for apprentices.
Number of worker related electrical fatalities and critical injuries decrease
from 25 serious incidents to 18
Electrical Product Safety Strategy
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Reduce harm from safety incidents primarily associated with misuse of electrical
products, unapproved, counterfeit or otherwise by addressing highest priority
issues through a well accepted and structured electrical product safety system
in Ontario
Support the adoption of a national system.
Work with Federal government department to increase co-operation on product
safety initiative
Develop a robust reporting system
Promote stove standard changes nationally and internationally
Incorporate cooking safety messages into public communications efforts
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Build the organizational capability to successfully implement the strategy.
Broaden organizational capability to understand and deal with human
behavioural factors impacting product safety
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Resolve funding model concerns
Gain support from appliance manufacturers to promote cooking safety
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Demonstrate stakeholder support; secure government support for funding
model; fully champion product safety and promote the successes by the end of
2011;
Partner with fire safety organizations to implement recommendations to
reduce stove top fires and internally align our people, processes and other
resources to support the plan.
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Number of electrical related product fires decrease from 1745 product fires to
1222
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Aging Infrastructure Strategy
In partnership with our key stakeholders, reduce electrical contact and fire
incidents associated with buildings and street lighting through significantly
increased public awareness and the development of new standards for existing
installations.
 Work with key stakeholders to define minimum code standards and potential
processes for awareness and compliance.
 Engage stakeholders to develop safety standard for street lighting installations
 Explore voluntary adoption of minimum safety standards for existing electrical
installations
 Implement a new policy development process
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Complete the recommendation of the General Inspection Task Force
Develop better incident database and root cause analysis to confirm high risk
areas
Enable processes and systems to identify and prevent high impact low frequency
events
Gain a better understanding of safety issues in multi-residential and public
occupancy buildings
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Develop strategic alliances
Enhance ability to construct, implement and test voluntary approaches prior to
recommendation of a regulatory solution
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Identify opportunities to address harms associated with aging infrastructure as
part of a broader funding model review
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Improve incident database; sponsorship of a national safety standard for
existing homes; development of an electrical fire safety strategy; initiate
standards for street lights
Number of electrical fires with distribution equipment as ignition source in
homes built prior to 1975, decrease from 853 fires to 597
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New Wiring Installations Strategy
Align more inspection and non inspection resources to highest priority harm
reduction initiatives that enhance the safety of electrical installations
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Consult with contractors, consumers, Do-it-Yourselfers (DIY) and other
stakeholders to develop clear common goals and understanding
Identify opportunities for further risk based inspection approaches
Work with the government to revise (as required) the regulatory framework to
allow for appropriate risk based inspection models.
Identify, via the safety risk metric, those activities that are less efficient or
effective in maintaining electrical safety
Establish other quality assessments consistent with contractor licensing that
allow for more prevention activities and ACP type “audit” based approaches
Foster joint education with the PWU and Society to increase understanding and
identify opportunities for further risk based inspection approaches
Engage employees in strategy development and align inputs
Develop appropriate capabilities to support initiatives
Develop a “permit” based funding model and seek other funding sources for
prevention activities with less emphasis on each inspection
Explore alternate options in residential construction
Consult on the appropriate use of fees to support harm reduction initiatives
beyond inspection
Engage employees and electrical contractors to improve joint understanding of risk
based inspection approaches and develop a broader consultation and regulatory
plan.
30% increase in Electrical Safety Impact for Wiring notifications
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Corporate Overview
We at the ESA realize that “Commitment to Safety” and “Getting to Zero” are not empty words; they are
integral to a mindset. Through teamwork, co-operation and dedication we can all influence and guide a new
safety culture for Ontario. Our long-term vision of an Ontario free of electrical fatalities, serious injury,
damage or loss is achievable with best-in-class business systems and, employees and partners working
diligently, with and for Ontarians. This document is our 5-year plan toward that vision.
Who We Are
The ESA was established in 1999, designated by Ontario Government Regulation 89/99 as a not-for-profit
corporation accountable to an independent Board of Directors, and is responsible to serve the public interest
as it relates to electrical safety in Ontario. The ESA operates in accordance with the Safety and Consumer
Statutes Administration Act and has an Administrative Agreement with the Ministry of Small Business and
Consumer Services. We are responsible for:
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The administration and enforcement of Part VIII of the Electricity Act, 1998 and associated
Ontario Regulation 164/99 (Ontario Electrical Safety Code),
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Ontario Regulation 22/04 (Electrical Distribution Safety),
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Ontario Regulation 570/05 (Provincial Electrical Contractor Licensing), and
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Ontario Regulation 438/08 (Product Safety)
In areas where the ESA does not have a direct mandate or responsibility for electrical safety outcomes, it
still has an obligation to influence stakeholders and garner support for specific strategies that will improve
safety outcomes in those areas.
Our Services
 Influencing legislation and regulations, proposing standards and authoring the Ontario Electrical
Safety Code.
 Electrical Inspections that focus on site visits, verifying that installation and products meet Ontario
Electrical Safety Code requirements, and ensuring deficiencies are made safe.
 Outreach, public education and awareness campaigns, informing the public of electrical hazards and
providing electrical safety tips to targeted markets.
 Training programs for Contractors, Electricians, OSHA approved workers and other stakeholders in
the electrical trade.
 Licensing of Contractors and Master Electricians, providing a province-wide registration system and
unified consumer protection.
 Enforcement activities aimed at ensuring those performing electrical work comply with regulations
designed to protect workers and the public.
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 Safety processes that identify hazardous electrical products and ensure corrective action is taken to
protect at-risk and unaware users.
 Continuous Safety Services and programs that target commercial, industrial, institutional and mining
facility work.
 Review of electrical building plans so safety input is provided before construction begins.
 Field evaluation of specialized electrical products to ensure that potential problems are identified
prior to installation.
 Utility safety and due diligence inspections.
Safety Accomplishments
Since 1999, the ESA has been given additional responsibilities and introduced new programs and services
that have resulted in increased safety benefits and accomplishments, including:
 Annually conducting periodic inspections in institutional, commercial and industrial facilities as part
of the Continuous Safety Services program resulting in safer workplaces.
 Licensing over 7,000 electrical contractors and 9,000 master electricians, providing public
confidence that only qualified individuals are doing electrical work.
 Approving over 100,000 pieces of electrical equipment.
 Launching dozens of industry and public electrical safety awareness and education campaigns
directly associated with saving lives.
 Conducting due diligence inspections as part of Ontario Regulation 22/04 - Electrical Distribution
Safety in the design, construction, and maintenance of electrical distribution systems owned by
licensed distributors.
 Responsibility for the safety of electrical products and equipment sold and used in Ontario by
administering Regulation 438/07 resulting in the recall of unsafe electrical products.
 Annually visiting approximately 500,000 sites and inspecting electrical wiring installations to ensure
work is performed safely and to code.
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ELECTRICAL SAFETY AUTHORITY 19
Ontario Electrical Safety Report
Every year the ESA produces the Ontario Electrical Safety Report that outlines electrical accident and
fatality data. The report covers incidents from fire, electrocution and related causes. Data Analysis has
influenced our vision and helped shape our program development into a 5-Year Strategic Plan. The Safety
Report also engages stakeholders who can contribute to improving safety. Finally, the Safety Report allows
us to track progress.
Please contact ESA, or visit our website
www.esasafe.com for the complete Safety
Report.
A sample of information from the report is Figure 1. The electrocution fatality rate in Ontario continues to
decline but is not yet at zero; however, when strategies are focused, results improve.
Figure 1
Electrocution Rate in Ontario
rate/million
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
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07
20
04
20
01
20
98
19
95
19
19
92
89
19
86
19
83
19
80
19
77
19
74
19
19
71
0.0
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ELECTRICAL SAFETY AUTHORITY 20
Appendix – Strategic Plan Performance Measures
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ELECTRICAL SAFETY AUTHORITY 21
Appendix – 5 Year Balanced Scorecard
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ELECTRICAL SAFETY AUTHORITY 22
Appendix – Understanding the Integrated Electrical Safety System
The Electrical Safety Authority operates within a broader “Integrated Electrical Safety” system. Given the
complex technical and social nature of electrical safety harms it is unlikely that a singular approach to these
issues will be fully effective. To maximize the impact of any safety initiative we must understand and
leverage the range of participants and approaches available within the integrated electrical safety system.
At the core of the electrical system are three directly related groups. The Electricity Supply System
generates, transmits and distributes electricity to the users. The End Users are owners and operators of
homes, residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, institutional buildings and facilities, finally, the
Electrical Products, Electrical Installations and Services Supply Channel, includes designers,
manufacturers and salespersons of electrical products, including those that install, maintain and service the
End User’s electrical installations and wiring systems.
Integrated Electrical Safety System
Technical & Behavior R&D
Health Care
Safety Culture
Insurers
Detection Actions
Governments
End Users
Electrical Products, Electrical
Installations and Services
Supply Channel
Prevention Actions
Education/Information
Safety Culture
Response Actions
Safety Culture
National Standards System
Electricity Supply System
Safety Culture
Regulatory Bodies
Safety Organizations
.
In addition to those that are directly involved with the Electrical supply system, the Electrical Products
and Installations Supply Channel and End-Users there are a range of safety system participants who help
shape safety culture and engage in various forms of prevention, detection and response activities. In fact,
the Safety Culture exerts an influence over the participants within the system, reflecting societal levels of
risk acceptance and risk tolerance
Safety system participants include various levels of Government who enact safety related laws and
regulations and a number of Regulatory Bodies that administer these safety laws and regulations. In
Ontario, the Electrical Safety Authority exists as an electrical safety regulator, however the Ontario Ministry
of Labour , the Office of the Fire Marshall and the Technical Standards and Safety Authority also have
intersecting electrical safety regulatory responsibilities related to electrical workplaces, electrical fire
incidents or technologies that include electrical components. The Ministry of Training Colleges and
Universities plays a role through the establishment of trade related regulations and education standards.
Federally, Health Canada has an intersecting role related to the electrical safety of consumer products,
electrical toys and battery operated electrical products.
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ELECTRICAL SAFETY AUTHORITY 23
Nationally, numerous Safety Organizations exist. Within Ontario’s workplace safety system there are a
number that promote accident prevention, provide training and education to businesses and workers within
their respective workplace sectors. At the community based level there are a range of organizations that
operate safety programs, for example, children safety villages. National organizations such as, SafeKids
Canada, SmartRisk and others also play a role in the promotion, development and implementation of safety
programs and strategies.
A variety of organizations are available to provide electrical safety Education and Information. These
include a wide range of safety organizations, and regulatory organizations. More specifically education and
information includes industry publications and the broader media. In Ontario, community colleges provide
education and training to electrical apprentices. Other Ontario schools, colleges and universities can play a
role in providing electrical safety education and information to their respective audiences, whether they are
grade six students, electrical engineers or technicians within the university or college systems.
A cornerstone of electrical safety in Canada is the National Standards System. The system includes a
number of organizations that develop electrical installation codes and the safety standards that electrical
products are manufactured and certified to. These codes and standards provide the technical requirements
that electrical installations and products must meet in order to provide an acceptable assurance of safety.
In most circumstances the long term solution to solving an electrical safety issue involves changing the
electrical safety code or associated product safety standard. For example, the 2009 Electrical Safety Code
includes a new requirement to install “tamper resistant receptacles” in certain locations within homes. This
new receptacle will reduce the significant number of injuries that occur each year when small children stick
objects, such as keys or forks, into receptacles.
Advances in safety are often achieved through the development and commercialization of new products and
a better understanding of human behavior resulting from Technical and Behavioral Research. The 2007
Ontario Electrical Safety report included summarizes the research into aging electrical wiring systems and
the impacts of electrical injuries. This primary research carried out by academics, manufacturers,
behavioral scientists and others helps us all increase our understanding of electrical safety issues and
supports the development of new products and changes to codes and standards. In short, the research
reaches out to the public and assists in addressing unsafe behaviors associated with electricity.
Providing Health Care to those injured is an important component of the safety system in terms of
mitigating the impact of the incident and working towards rehabilitation and return to work of those
injured. The health care system can provide valuable research on the nature and extent of electrical
injuries. Understanding of root cause from a behavioral perspective can lead to important information which
can be used in education and awareness campaigns helping shape the safety culture.
Insurance is one strategy for dealing with residual risk. For example, in addition to actions we take as
homeowners to prevent fires in our home such as keeping matches away from children, never leaving pots on
the stove unattended, using candles safely and installing smoke detectors, most people obtain fire insurance
coverage for their homes. From an occupational safety perspective, jurisdictions across Canada have some
form of worker compensation insurance to provide financial support to workers who have been injured on
the job.
Within each of its priority harm reduction strategies the ESA, through stakeholdering, communication and
partnerships seeks to engage the appropriate mix of electricity end users and safety system participants to
develop and implement the best solutions associated with each priority electrical safety harm.
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