Local arenas pass muster in B.C.-wide safety blitz

Only minor safety issues were detected at South Okanagan ice rinks during a massive inspection blitz spurred by the deaths of three workers due to an ammonia leak last year in Fernie.

WorkSafeBC performed initial inspections between Nov. 20 and Dec. 31 at 181 ice rinks across the province that use ammonia refrigeration systems, the agency said in a press release.

As a result, the regulator issued 1,134 orders, although just one of them – at Vancouver’s PNE Coliseum – resulted in a shutdown.

The vast majority of orders related to monthly testing of monitoring and alarm systems, installation of pressure-relief alarm systems, and creation of exposure control plans.

Such was the case with the City of Penticton’s four rinks.

“We were already ahead of the game compared to a lot of smaller communities as we have always completed annual plant inspections with the B.C. Technical (Safety) Authority,” recreation and facilities director Bregje Kozak said in an email.

“As a result of the recent inspections we only had a few minor upgrades including sensors for the ammonia dump, a new remote wall monitor at the (South Okanagan Events Centre) and the installation of wind socks on the buildings. These upgrades were completed within SOEC’s operational budget.

“We are fully compliant and no warnings or fines were issued.”

According to a report supplied by WorkSafeBC, three orders were issued for the Osoyoos Sun Bowl Arena: install an alarm on the pressure-relief system, bolster the emergency plan, and complete a risk assessment for ammonia gas.

There were five orders issued for the Summerland arena: the same three as in Osoyoos, plus implement monthly testing of monitoring and alarm systems, and create an exposure control plan.

A report was not available for the rink in Oliver, but Mayor Ron Hovanes said the issues discovered there were also of a minor nature similar to the other rinks in the region.

Such was not the case in some small communities elsewhere: Rossland’s arena requires $200,000 worth of repairs, while the tab has been pegged at $110,000 in Golden, according to the CBC.

WorkSafeBC’s ammonia-related blitz is still underway, with other phases of the probe intended to focus on refrigeration equipment other than that used in recreational facilities and the contractors who work in the field.

The investigation began following the October 2017 deaths of three men in Fernie who were repairing icemaking equipment in the town’s arena.

The matter remains under investigation by multiple agencies, including the RCMP.