Technical Safety BC highlights safety challenges in the province
by CM Staff
The report has indicated the province's continued efforts to recover from the impacts of the global pandemic and mitigate challenges brought by climate change.
VANCOUVER— Technical Safety BC released its 2021 State of Safety and Annual Report, outlining extreme weather events, a lack of public awareness about carbon monoxide safety, and concerns around continued work by unlicensed individuals as some of the most significant safety challenges facing British Columbians.
The report has indicated the province’s continued efforts to recover from the impacts of the global pandemic as well as the development of responses to new and emerging threats such as the impacts of climate change.
“The State of Safety report highlights that BC must continue to prioritize resiliency and climate action to respond to emerging safety risks in the months and years ahead,” said Phil Gothe, president and lead executive officer, Technical Safety BC in a statement.
“Last year brought unprecedented challenges for communities across the province, and Technical Safety BC is focused on adapting to the impacts of extreme weather, emerging technologies, and new safety risks.”
This year’s State of Safety report found that some of the most significant risks to British Columbians are those emerging from continued climate change impacts in communities across the province. Additionally, as new low-carbon technologies enter the market, such as heat pumps, electric vehicle energy management systems, hydrogen, and new types of refrigerants, the province says its safety system must be responsive and ready with programs designed to assure the continued safety of British Columbians.
“As the climate around us continues to change, Technical Safety BC is working to identify, analyze, and mitigate climate-related risks to technical safety,” added Gothe. “Over 2021, some of those activities included collaborating with our clients and partners to adapt hazard reporting processes for flood-affected communities to expedite recovery and rebuilding efforts, as well as developing new strategies to respond to high-risk heat-related hazards.”
Additionally, a 2021 survey found that 49 per cent of households in British Columbia still do not have a carbon monoxide detector, so Technical Safety BC has continued to provide critical education and awareness on this health risk.
