DATE ISSUED: Sept. 17, 2020

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately

Acting on a delegation from the Provincial Health Office, the BC Energy Regulator (Regulator) will begin inspecting oil and gas camps to ensure companies have the proper COVID-19 health and safety protocols in place.

By order of the Provincial Health Officer, employers in the natural resource sector that provide accommodation at their industrial camps must develop and implement a COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocol.

The IPC should outline how the employer will prevent and control the risk of transmission of COVID-19 among workers in their place of accommodation, at the worksite and when travelling to and from the worksite. The B.C. Centre for Disease Control has provided guidance for developing an IPC.

The protocol must be posted in a prominent location in accommodations and worksites and must be available to be presented to a delegated inspector upon request.

The Provincial Health Office order also requires a site inspection to be arranged by an employer. Regulator site inspections will be scheduled once a completed screening form is received. Inspection records will be provided to the pertinent provincial health authority for any necessary follow-up on non-compliance.

Oil and gas companies that provide accommodation at their industrial camps are requested to complete the screening form and submit to C&E@bcogc.ca as soon as possible to schedule an inspection. If an inspection has already been carried out by another provincial agency, an additional inspection from the Regulator is not required.

The Regulator has taken steps to protect our staff, stakeholders and Indigenous communities, while maintaining operations, including inspections.

If you have any questions regarding this Industry Bulletin, please contact:

Patrick Smook

Director, Compliance and Enforcement

BC Energy Regulator

Patrick.Smook@bcogc.ca

250-794-5314