Updates to Dam Safety Review Guidelines Address Engineer of Record

APEGBC recently updated its professional practice guidelines for legislated dam safety reviews. The latest version of the Professional Practice Guidelines - Legislated Dam Safety Reviews in BC, version 3.0, is now available on the association’s website. 

The guidelines provide the basis for an appropriate standard of care in professional practice, when carrying out dam safety reviews. They provide guidance on the specific aspects of dam safety reviews relevant to the governing legislation, Dam Safety Regulation 40/2016, depending upon the purpose of the dam involved. 

This latest version of the guidelines reflect recommendations made by the Chief Inspector of Mines and the Auditor General in their reports following the Mount Polley dam breach, that there be clarification of the term Engineer of Record. A section providing more context on Engineer of Record responsibilities has now been included in the Legislated Dam Safety Reviews in BC guidelines. Additionally, some language in the guidelines has been updated to reflect recent changes to the BC Heath, Safety and Reclamation Code and the Dam Safety Regulation. 

Key sections where the changes have occurred include: 

• Definitions – Engineer of Record and Design Engineer added
• Section 1.3 – Language added on Engineer of Record
• Section 2.2.3 – New section added describing the role of the Engineer of Record
• Appendix B Mining Dams – Revisions made based on changes to the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code

The Professional Practice Guidelines - Legislated Dam Safety Reviews in BC, were initially published in July 2013, commissioned by the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, They were revised in March 2014 to address dam safety reviews for mining dams with assistance from the Ministry of Energy and Mines. 

The latest version of the Professional Practice Guidelines - Legislated Dam Safety Reviews in BC is available at egbc.ca/guidelines. Questions regarding the updates to the guidelines can directed to Lindsay Steele, P.Geo., Associate Director of Professional Practice at [email protected].