Safety Permits and Submissions
A number of health and safety forms and documents must be submitted before work can start. The requirements for submitting these documents are described below.
Building-Related Hazardous Exposure Management Program (BRHEMP) Request for Information (RFI)
Working within the airport may require existing structure to be disturbed. Hazardous materials are known to have been used at various points during the airport’s construction. The presence of lead, asbestos, silica, PCBs, and mould has been detected in various locations throughout the airport. The unintended and uncontrolled disturbance of these materials can create hazards for workers.
Hot Work Permit
When work at the airport requires any of the following, it is considered hot work:
- Welding, cutting, or soldering using an open flame
- Arc welding or similar processes creating hot by-products
- Equipment or processes that create spark or flame
- Any equipment that uses combustible fuels and has an open flame, and that is not tied into the building fire systems; several examples are propane heaters, hot water tanks, and barbeques
- Any other activity or equipment that could generate a heat source sufficient to cause combustion
If any of the above are identified as a requirement of contractor work, a hot work permit must be completed.
Excavation, Trenching Permit
Contractors must complete and submit the Excavation, Trenching Permit 48 hours before starting any excavations or trenching. A copy of the approved excavation permit must be kept in excavation equipment at all times for inspection by Airport Authority personnel.
For all excavations or trenches of a depth of 4 feet or greater, contractors are required to submit written safe work procedures to the Airport Authority for review and approval before starting the work.
Coring, Saw-Cutting Permit
A permit is required when coring or saw-cutting is taking place inside terminal buildings, on roadways, or in other areas where underground or buried utilities may be present. Coring means any hole penetrating more than 3 inches into a horizontal or vertical surface, and saw-cutting means any saw cut to a depth greater than 3 inches.
Contractors must complete and submit the Coring, Saw-Cutting Permit 72 hours before the start of anticipated coring or saw-cutting. Coring and excavation is approved by the Airport Authority contract owner or Engineering Services.
Crane Operating Permit
Numerous automated navigational systems are in operation around Sea Island to assist in aircraft movement. Many factors can affect these systems, including cranes. As the airport is an unique environment, all cranes, lifts, HIABs, pumpers, elevated devices, and any other equipment that operates at heights on Sea Island require permits.
The Crane Operating Permit is required by Construction Safety to ensure the safe operation of equipment at heights in accordance with WorkSafeBC regulations.
Airside Operations must be notified of all crane operations to ensure the safe operation of equipment at heights in accordance with NAV CANADA requirements. Information is to be provided at the start of construction projects through the project manager at the Facility Alteration Permit (FAP) stage.
Request for Lockout
Work that requires portions of airport systems to be shut down—including electrical, HVAC, sewer, water, fire alarm systems, security alarm systems, and baggage systems—must be approved using a Request for Lockout.
The Request for Lockout must be submitted five working days before the required start of the lockout, to the project manager (for airport projects) or to Engineering Services (for tenant projects).
For questions related to this content, please contact YVR Contractor Safety by email at [email protected] or by phone at 604-276-7797.