INNOVATION-July-August-2020

Continuing Education Program | Conference and AGM | Council Election

INNOVATION ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BRITISH COLUMBIA JULY/AUGUST 2020

MATERIALS ENGINEERING FOR THE NEW NORMAL

THE TROUBLE WITH ALLUVIAL FANS

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OTHER 8 ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 9 COVID-19 SURVEY RESULTS 10 COUNCIL ELECTION NOMINEES AND PROCESS 35 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 36 ORGANIZATIONAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT 38 CLASSIFIEDS 38 DISPLAY ADVERTISERS INDEX ON THE COVER The UBC Mine Rescue Team performs a simulated mine rescue operation at the Canadian International Student Mine Rescue Competition, held February 2020. C over and T able of C ontents P hotos : K ellan H iggins /N orman B. K eevil I nstitute of M ining E ngineering . 5 LETTERS 5 ASSOCIATION 11 COUNCIL REPORT 12 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 20 COMMUNITY 34 DISCIPLINE AND ENFORCEMENT 38 IN MEMORIAM 39 CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS / DEPARTMENTS INNOVAT ION J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 0 | volume 24 number 4 COMMENT 4 VIEWPOINT

COVER STORY UBC’S MINE RESCUE TEAM AND MINE SAFETY IN BC Working in BC mines once meant danger and risk. Now, thanks to

deepening regulation, a shift away from underground mining, and the dedication of competitive rescue teams, mining in BC is safer than ever.

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THE TROUBLE WITH ALLUVIAL FANS Alluvial fans as locations for mountain-valley homes seem almost irresistibly attractive: moderate gradients, nearby water sources, good foundations, and arresting scenery. But two BC experts say that these fans mask potential dangers—and the typical ways of mitigating them needs to be reconsidered.

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MODERN-DAY ALCHEMISTS

The self-cleaning properties of the lotus leaf inspired one BC engineer to consider how wash basins could help discourage virus transmission—one of two innovative BC engineering projects helping to fight COVID-19. P hoto : N atalya L ys /S hutterstock . com .

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INNOVAT ION

JULY/AUGUST 2020 | volume 24 number 4

BE AN ADVOCATE FOR DIVERSITY: TAKE A STAND AGAINST SYSTEMIC RACISM In the last few months, we have witnessed the tragic impacts of racial profiling and race-based violence. There is no place in our society for race-based violence or racism. A diverse and inclusive world is a better world. Diversity fosters creativity and innovation, resulting in better solutions. Organizations that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion are stronger and more successful. That’s why we must all take a stand against racism and speak up for those who are underrepresented and marginalized. In doing so, we will create a more inclusive and respectful society.

ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BRITISH COLUMBIA Suite 200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC Canada V5C 6N2 Tel: 604.430.8035 Fax: 604.430.8085 Email: info@egbc.ca Web: egbc.ca Toll free: 1.888.430.8035 COUNCIL 2020/2020 President L. Mah, P.Eng., FEC Vice-President L. Spence, P.Eng. Immediate Past President K. Tarnai-Lokhorst, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.)

COUNCILLORS M. Adams, P.Eng.; A. Andison, BA, LLB; S. Cheema, CPA, CA; A. B. Dixon-Warren, P.Geo.; L. Hildebrandt, ICD.D, LLB; S. MacDougall, P.Eng.; B. Nanson, P.Eng.; N. Ozog, P.Eng., FEC; C. Lambert, P.Geo.; T. Tiedje, P.Eng.; K.P. Turner, P.Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.); J.D. Vincent, P.Geo.; B. Ward, P.Geo., FEC (Hon.), FGC; D. Wells, JD

Lianna Mah, P.Eng., FEC President president@egbc.ca

ASSOCIATION STAFF A.J. English, P.Eng., Chief Executive Officer and Registrar T.M.Y. Chong, P.Eng., Chief Regulatory Officer and Deputy Registrar J. Cho, CPA, CGA Chief Financial and Administration Officer M. Logan, Chief Of Strategic Operations M.L. Archibald, Director, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement D. Gamble, Director, Information Systems P.R. Mitchell, P.Eng., Director, Professional Practice, Standards and Development D. Olychick, Director, Corporate Governance and Strategy G.M. Pichler, P.Eng., Director, Registration E. Swartz, LL.B, Director, Legislation, Ethics and Compliance M.A. Rigolo, P.Eng., Director, Programs and Professional Development L. Steele, P.Geo., Associate Director, Professional Practice A. Tan, CPA, CMA Associate Director, Finance and Administration

Recently, a number of registrants have contacted me asking what Engineers and Geoscientists BC is planning to do to speak out against racism. I know that our leadership team at Engineers and Geoscientists BC shares my views on racism and has been considering appropriate action within our mandate as a regulator. I can share that Engineers and Geoscientists BC is planning an update to our Human Rights and Diversity Guidelines, which were originally published in 2016. As part of this, we will be inviting representatives from diverse groups to a round table session to share their experiences with us. We want to ensure that their perspectives are heard and any concerns around racism and discrimination can be addressed in our guidelines update. We are also exploring unconscious bias training for Engineers and Geoscientists BC Council and committee volunteers, as well as staff, to raise our awareness around this issue and ensure we continue to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace. Some may see these as small steps. However, I believe if we all start taking small steps, we can build momentum and make greater strides to end systemic racism. It starts with all of us. We need to recognize that we can do better, make a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and understand our implicit biases so we can overcome them. We can raise our voices against inequities. And, we can advocate for, hire, and promote those who are disadvantaged, marginalized, or underrepresented. Promoting diversity at all levels, especially leadership, is essential to end institutionalized racism. Together, we can break down barriers and create more diverse and inclusive organizations and communities.

Chris Hawley, Managing Editor

EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE M.I.H. Bhuiyan, P.Eng.; E.A. Brown, P.Eng.; K.C. Chan, P.Eng., CPA; T. George, P.Eng.; H. Ghalibafian, P.Eng.; G. Grill, P.Eng.; G. Kwong, P.Eng.; R. Ord, P.Eng.; R. Smertina, P.Eng.; M.J. Zieleman, EIT

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Innovation is published six times a year by Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia. As the official publication of the association, Innovation is circulated to members of the engineering and geoscience professions, architects, contractors and industry executives. The views expressed in any article contained herein do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Council or membership of this association. Submission Guidelines: Innovation encourages unsolicited articles and photos. By submitting material to Innovation , you grant Engineers and Geoscientists BC a royalty-free, worldwide licence to publish the material; and you warrant that you have the authority to grant such rights and have obtained waivers of all associated moral rights. Innovation reserves the right to edit material for length, clarity and conformity with our editorial guidelines ( egbc.ca/innovation-editorial ) and is under no obligation to publish any or all submissions or any portion thereof, including credits. All material is copyright. Please contact the Managing Editor for reprint permission.

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L E T T E R S

Letters to the editor containing your views on topics of interest are encouraged. Opinions expressed in letters are not necessarily endorsed by Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Letters should be 300 words or less and can be emailed to innovation@egbc.ca. Find more information at egbc.ca/Submitting-to-Innovation.

DR. RON DEVALL: A LIFE SPENT MAKING BUILDINGS SAFER IN EARTHQUAKES No one has done more to make Canadian buildings safer in earthquakes than Dr. Ronald DeVall, P.Eng. (Retired).

Ron served as Chair of the Canadian National Committee on Earthquake Engineering (CANCEE), which wrote the seismic design provisions in the National Building Code from 1985 to 2009. Until last year, he remained one of the most active contributors to what became the Standing Committee on Earthquake Design (SC-ED). He also contributed to other parts of the National Building Code as a member of other national committees. Ron was also an active member of the Technical Group within CSA A23.3 that writes the seismic design provisions for concrete buildings. He played a leadership role in development of Clause 21 in the 1984, 1994, 2004, 2014, and 2019 editions of CSA A23.3. In 2006, Ron was appointed to Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Seismic Peer Review Committee of the Seismic Retrofit Guidelines for BC schools. For the past 14 years, Ron up to date and reporting your area of practice. These requirements will come into effect over the next 12 months. To date, the most significant component of our work to transition to this new legislation has been revising our current Bylaws to ensure compliance with the PGA, as well as drafting new Bylaws required for the organization and our registrants to be able to operate in our new regulatory landscape. The first milestone of this work is now complete. Council reviewed each of the Bylaw amendments at their meeting on June 19, and the Bylaw package has been submitted to the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG) for review and approval. The OSPG will complete a rigorous review of

played a crucial role challenging his peers to ensure the innovative performance-based approach was technically sound and well-documented. When Ron passed away on June 8, Canada lost a great structural engineer, and many of us lost a great friend; but Ron’s legacy will live on in the improved seismic safety of Canadian buildings as a result of the building codes, standards, and guidelines that he so strongly influenced during his lifetime. Dr. Perry Adebar, P.Eng., Professor of Structural Engineering, UBC Jeff Corbett, P.Eng., Struct.Eng., FEC, Managing Principal, Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. Amemorial student award will honour the important accomplishments of two great structural engineers: Ron DeVall and JimMutrie, P.Eng. For more information, visit memorial.support.ubc.ca/devall-mutrie. the Bylaws over the summer, and may seek additional changes or revisions to ensure compliance with the requirements of the PGA. Council will complete a final review of the Bylaws in September, and they will come into force along with the PGA in November 2020. A number of communication initiatives are being planned to keep registrants informed on this important topic in the lead up to November. On August 6, Engineers and Geoscientists BC hosted a webinar and Q&A on the PGA with President Lianna Mah, P.Eng., FEC. A recording of the webinar will be available on our website by late August.

After completing his civil engineering degrees at UBC, Ron spent his entire 40-year career at Read Jones Christoffersen (RJC) in Vancouver. He was the Engineer of Record on a number of notable projects that utilized “leading edge” structural solutions such as Vancouver Library Square and Park Place (office tower). As RJC’s structural engineering technical lead, he developed technical standards, quality control guidelines and training protocols, many of which are still in use today. And, he mentored generations of structural engineers. Ron had a remarkable talent for simplifying complex structural problems, and he was very generous when it came to sharing his insights for the betterment of the structural engineering profession and the improved safety of buildings. Geoscientists BC has been working to align our current policies, procedures, and regulatory framework with the requirements of the Professional Governance Act (PGA)—new legislation for Engineers and Geoscientists BC and the engineering and geoscience professions that will come into force in November 2020, replacing the 100-year-old Engineers and Geoscientists Act . The PGA will introduce new regulatory tools for Engineers and Geoscientists BC, including the regulation of engineering and geoscience firms, and new requirements for registrants— including an updated Code of Ethics, mandatory continuing education, and new requirements for keeping contact information

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PROGRESS TOWARDS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL GOVERNANCE ACT For the past two years, Engineers and

To learn more about the Professional Governance Act , visit egbc.ca/PGA .

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CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM: NEW MODEL AND REQUIREMENTS FOR 2021 The Professional Governance Act (PGA) requires all regulators under the legislation, including Engineers and Geoscientists BC, to establish and maintain a mandatory continuing education program to promote high standards and competency among registrants. The new requirements will come into effect in 2021. Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Council reviewed the required Bylaw for the Continuing Education (CE) Program at their June 2020 meeting. The Bylaw will now be submitted to the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance for approval. Earlier in the year, Council also approved recommendations for the new CE Program model from the Continuing

• Risk-informed . Requirements within the CE Program need to be informed by, and focused on, reducing risk to the public and the environment. • Proactive. The purpose of requirements within a CE Program is to create a culture of learning and to promote good practices for maintaining competency. Application. The CE Program is mandatory and applies to all registrants with practice rights. Non-practicing and retired registrants will have to complete minimum requirements to maintain ethical and regulatory competency. Engineers- in-training and geoscientists-in-training are exempt from the program. Registrants can apply for an exemption on a yearly basis for parental, medical, or compassionate care leave, or for other extenuating circumstances.

Education Program Advisory Group. The Phase 2 Report – Recommendations for New Continuing Education Program is available at

egbc.ca/Continuing-Education . The new CE Program follows a competency-focused approach that supports registrants in maintaining competency in their professional practice, while incorporating industry best practices and feedback received from consultation with registrants. The program is designed to meet regulatory requirements under the PGA while also emphasizing simplicity and providing enhanced flexibility to registrants in how they can achieve their continuing education requirements. NEW PROGRAM COMPONENTS The development of the CE Program has been broadly influenced by a few key principles on how best to design and implement a CE Program for engineering and geoscience professionals. These principles are:

Ethical & Regulatory Learning

1

2

CE Hours

As part of their CE hours, registrants must complete at least one hour of ethical and one hour of regulatory learning each year.

Registrants must complete 60 hours over a 3-year rolling period or 20 hours per year on average.

3

4

Reporting

CE Plans

By June 30, all registrants must report their CE activities and hours and submit their CE Plan using the online recording system.

Each year, registrants must complete a Continuing Education Plan.

Quantity of CE Hours. CE hours will be counted over a three-year rolling period. In each three-year period, a registrant must complete at least 60 Continuing Education Hours, or 20 hours a year on average.

• Competency-focused. The primary purpose of the CE Program is to help professionals maintain competency in their scope of practice.

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Communication initiatives are being planned for later in the fall to provide more detailed information to registrants ahead of the new program becoming mandatory in 2021, and will include articles, webinars, and FAQs. BACKGROUND Since 2017, the Continuing Education Program Advisory Group (formerly the CPD Committee) has been revising Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s current CPD program to create a new program that recognizes previous feedback from registrants and incorporates industry best practices from other professional development programs. During the research and development phase of the new program, the PGA was introduced. The advisory group undertook further consultation with registrants and adapted the recommended program to align with the requirements under the PGA. In April and May 2019, Engineers and Geoscientists BC surveyed registrants on the components of the new program. Over 2,900 registrants participated, providing feedback and input on several potential changes to the way professional development requirements are set out, including the number of hours required, the number and type of activity categories, qualifying continuing education activities, and reporting requirements. The information received during the Phase 2 consultation was used by the advisory group in preparing the CE Program recommendations. A detailed consultation summary is available as an appendix in the recommendations report, researching and exploring the issue of continuing education for several years, and the advisory group also reviewed feedback received from previous consultations and engagement efforts. LEARN MORE For information on the Continuing Education Program, and to read the full recommendation report, or the Consultation Summary Report, visit egbc.ca/Continuing-Education . Questions about the Continuing Education Program can be emailed to Engineers and Geoscientists BC staff at cep@egbc.ca . found at egbc.ca/Continuing-Education . Engineers and Geoscientists BC has been

Areas of Learning. Areas of learning defined in the new CE Program include technical, ethical, regulatory, and communication and leadership. The program provides flexibility to allow registrants to identify the areas of learning that are most relevant to maintaining competency in their scope of practice, and focus learning activities across those areas. All registrants must complete at least one hour of ethical and one hour of regulatory learning each year. CE Plans. Registrants must create and maintain a CE plan on an annual basis that notes the registrant’s area of practice, risks of their practice, learning goals, and activities to help meet those goals. A CE plan template will be provided but registrants can use other templates (e.g., from their employer) provided they contain the same minimum information. Documentation and Reporting . Registrants must keep a record of CE hours and activities completed. This record and the CE Plan must be updated on an annual basis and CE hours and activities must be reported annually (toward the three-year rolling period). CE documentation is subject to audit and will be evaluated during audits, practice reviews, and investigations to determine compliance. To comply with the new CE Program, all registrants with practice rights must meet requirements in the following four areas: TIMING OF IMPLEMENTATION AND REPORTING With the implementation of the PGA, the CE Program will come into effect in 2021. Registrants will be required to report their continuing education activities under the new model beginning in July 2021, with the first reporting deadline on June 30, 2022, and the first compliance check in 2025 following completion of the first three-year rolling period. Next Steps. Work is underway to develop a guide to the Continuing Education Program to support registrants in understanding and meeting the new requirements. The guide will be available in January 2021. Additional resources are also being developed to support registrants with their CE reporting and documentation, which will include a CE plan template and other online tools to support registrants in tracking their hours and activities.

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ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO PROCEED VIRTUALLY, FOCUS ON EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s annual conference has person gatherings to 50 persons or less. Engineers and

Professional; Management, Regulatory Affairs; Structural, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Better Business; and Diversity and Inclusion; and • keynote addresses from Dr. Roberta Bondar, the first Canadian woman and first- ever neurologist in space; Bob Joseph, founder and president of Indigenous Corporate Training; and Dr. Sheryl Staub-French, P.Eng., Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at UBC. More information, including the full schedule and registration will be available in August. For updated information, visit egbc.ca/ conference . gatherings of more than 50 people, notice is given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held using a virtual format on October 17, 2020, at 8:30 AM. The AGM is an opportunity for registrants to hear from Council and senior staff on the organization’s strategic progress, key initiatives, and financial standing. It is also an opportunity for registrants to participate in self-regulation by bringing forward motions for Council’s consideration. Additional meeting rules and protocols will be in effect to facilitate an electronic meeting. Visit egbc.ca/agm for the latest information on the AGM and meeting protocols, including how to register and how motions will be accepted for consideration at the AGM. NOTICE OF ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BC 2020 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING In compliance with restrictions on

been rescheduled to take place Wednesday, October 21 to Friday, October 23, 2020—and will be conducted virtually. The annual conference will include many of the features registrants have come to expect and value, including professional development sessions, topical streams, and keynote speakers. The virtual nature of the annual conference is ideal for professionals working remotely, and provides access and flexibility to registrants across the province—along with limiting the spread of COVID-19 by meeting the Government of BC orders to limit in-

Geoscientists BC’s Annual General Meeting, also planned to be held virtually, is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2020. This year’s annual conference will focus on education and three days of professional development opportunities, and will include: • 40 sessions and more than 60 speakers; • 10 professional development streams, including Engineering and Geoscience in the Resource Sector; Environmental Engineering and Geoscience; Municipal Engineering; Emerging

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COVID-19 INTRODUCES SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO ENGINEERING AND GEOSCIENCE IN BC COVID-19 introduced sudden and significant economic and professional changes to the engineering and geoscience professions through impacts to individual registrants, their organizations, industries, and personal lives. Engineers and Geoscientists BC surveyed registrants to understand the current practice challenges and key issues facing the professions.

Survey respondents’ biggest concerns for their business or industry related to a potential global recession, difficulty with project and/or research funding, and organizational stability. The survey also sought feedback from senior decision-makers (i.e., registrants who identified themselves as owners, partners, or executives of their organizations) on broader organizational impacts. In terms of business continuity, respondents in this category said the most widespread organizational challenges were cancellation or postponement of contracts, projects being put on hold due to economic uncertainty, and regulatory delays due to government focus on COVID-19 related matters. Many organizations are also facing significant financial disruption, with 41 percent of these senior decision-makers anticipating at least a 25 percent loss of revenue. This anticipated financial impact was most pronounced in the mining, oil and gas, and manufacturing industries. The insights obtained from this survey will help inform how Engineers and Geoscientists BC can better support registrants with practice advice and guidance, to help registrants continue to meet their professional obligations in a changing work environment. For further information, including practice advice as well as understanding your professional obligations at this time, visit egbc.ca/COVID-19 . for Council election, renewal information, and professional practice advisories and guidelines related to your area of practice. COVID-19 has impacted many areas of our operating environment, including our communications methods. For the upcoming annual renewal cycle, Engineers and Geoscientists BC is encouraging registrants to pay their fees electronically to limit the amount of paper handled by staff. To avoid potential delays associated with paper communications, be sure to add or update your email address on your account. Visit egbc.ca/update-info and log in using your six-digit user ID number and password. These plans focus on a conservative financial approach to our operations to ensure that Engineers and Geoscientists BC is financially equipped to continue to meet our mandate to protect the public interest over the long term. The operating budget is created within clear guidelines set by Council and in compliance with the organization’s Sustainable Financial Management Policy. This policy, and Council’s approach to financial management, is provided at egbc.ca/Responsible-Financial-Management .

Over 2,800 registrants completed this survey between May 8 and June 6, sharing their perspectives on the impact COVID-19 has had on their professional practice, their organizations, and their industries. Like many other sectors, engineering and geoscience professions in BC have seen a significant shift in ways of working, according to survey results. Over 46 percent of respondents reported a full shift to remote working, which created challenges for in- person activities like field reviews and site inspections. To help overcome the challenges faced as a result of social distancing practices, many organizations implemented new work- from-home policies and increased the use of online collaboration tools, such as video conferencing, cloud software, and increased their use of virtual reality and artificial intelligence software. While the results highlighted the innovative and collaborative nature of the engineering and geoscience professions, the survey results also reflected underlying uncertainty among registrants. REMINDER: UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION In September, Engineers and Geoscientists BC will hold its annual Council election. And, in November, annual renewals will open for registrants to renew their licence with Engineers and Geoscientists BC for 2021. To make sure that you don’t miss essential renewal, Council election, and other important information, take a moment to sign into your account to ensure your email address and contact information are up to date. Maintaining current contact information means that Engineers and Geoscientists BC can reach registrants with important information throughout the year, including updates on the Professional Governance Act , which will come into force in November 2020, voting information

COUNCIL APPROVES 2020/2021 BUDGET WITH NO INCREASE TO REGISTRANT FEES At its May meeting, Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Council reviewed and approved the operating budget for the 2020/2021 fiscal year. There will be no increase to registrant fees for 2021. The registrant fee for a practicing professional engineer or professional geoscientist will remain at $472.50 including GST.

Engineers and Geoscientists BC recognizes the significant impact of COVID-19 , and has developed a number of contingency plans to account for the uncertainty and change introduced by the pandemic.

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ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS BC ANNOUNCES CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION TO COUNCIL Engineers and Geoscientists BC holds its Council election annually. This September, there will be an election for one President, one Vice President, and five Councillors. Council election will open by Friday, September 4, 2020, and will close on Friday, October 2, 2020 at 12:00 PM. All professional members and limited licensees in good standing (P.Eng. and P.Geo., and Eng.L. and Geo.L) are eligible to vote. The Professional Governance Act requires that all candidates standing for election must be approved by the Nominating Committee, using a merit-based process. The Nominating Committee has selected the following nominees to stand for the 2020 Council election.

PRESIDENT (ONE TO BE ELECTED) G.D. (GARTH) KIRKHAM, P.GEO., FGC

IMPORTANT DATES Friday, August 21, 2020

GEOLOGY

BURNABY

relates to the desired skills and competencies; responses to supplementary conflict-of- interest and declaration questions; and three references. Following submission of the required information, all candidates also underwent at least one interview. Using this information, the Nominating Committee reviewed and assessed all prospective nominees using a rating matrix based on the desired skills and competencies. The committee then shortlisted candidates to advance to a second interview. The second interview was conducted by an interview panel comprising select members of the Nominating Committee. Following this comprehensive and rigorous process, the Nominating Committee selected its list of nominees to stand for election. Council previously had determined that paper ballots would be discontinued in 2021. However, due to new circumstances related to COVID-19, paper ballots will be discontinued one year earlier than planned. Only electronic voting will be available for the 2020 election. To learn more about the 2020 council election, or the council nomination process, visit egbc.ca/council-election . To ensure you receive information and instructions about Council voting, please update your contact information at egbc.ca/update-info by August 21, 2020. Friday, September 4, 2020 An Elections Package email will be sent to registrants by this date, which will include instructions on the electronic voting procedure. Only electronic voting will be available. Paper ballots will not be permitted. Friday, October 2, 2020 All ballots must be submitted and received by 12:00 PM . ABOUT PAPER BALLOTS The overwhelming majority of Engineers and Geoscientists BC registrants vote electronically.

L.B. (LARRY) SPENCE, P.ENG.

MECHANICAL

TRAIL

VICE PRESIDENT (ONE TO BE ELECTED) M.A. (MARK) ADAMS, P.ENG.

MINING

NORTH VANCOUVER

C.L. (CAROL) PARK, P.ENG.

BIOMEDICAL

VANCOUVER

COUNCILLOR (FIVE TO BE ELECTED) T.M. (TOMER) CURIEL, P.ENG., FEC

MECHANICAL

VANCOUVER

E.A.A (EMMANUEL) DOMINGO, P.ENG., FEC CIVIL

VANCOUVER

J.B. (JAMES) KAY, P.ENG.

CIVIL

KELOWNA

M.M. (MICHELLE) MAHOVLICH, P.ENG./P.GEO. GEOLOGICAL/GEOLOGY LANGFORD

J.L. (JESSICA) STEEVES, P.ENG.

GEOLOGICAL

KAMLOOPS

K.P. (KEVIN) TURNER, P.ENG., FEC, FGC (HON) CIVIL

KAMLOOPS

B.C. (BRENT) WARD, P.GEO., FGC, FEC (HON)

GEOLOGY

COQUITLAM

Further changes to Council composition will be introduced when the Professional Governance Act comes into force in Fall 2020. To learn more about the transition requirements under the Professional Governance Act , visit egbc.ca/council-election . ROLE OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE The Nominating Committee selects a list of qualified candidates with diverse experience, skills and expertise that they believe best demonstrate the qualities needed for strong, balanced leadership for Engineers and Geoscientists BC. Specifically, the committee sought candidates that have demonstrated skills in leadership, strategy, financial literacy, risk management, human resources, regulatory understanding, governance, and technical proficiency. To fulfil its mandate,

the committee sought candidates through a series of Call for Nominations notices sent to the membership, and committee members reached out to potential candidates in regions throughout the province of BC. NOMINATION PROCESS The committee’s candidate selection framework included: a gap analysis (i.e., a review of the skills and experience of remaining Councillors); the prioritization of desired skills, competencies, and experience for prospective nominees; diversity considerations; a systematic assessment of candidate skills and competences; and candidate interviews. To support this process, all prospective nominees were asked to provide: a written summary of their interest to serve on Council; a current CV; details of how their experience

COUNCIL ELECTION: HOW AND WHEN TO VOTE All professional registrants and limited licensees in good standing (P.Eng., P.Geo., Eng.L., and Geo.L) are eligible to vote in the upcoming Council election. An email will be sent to members by Friday, September 4, 2020, with instructions on the electronic voting procedure. Online voting will be securely and anonymously conducted using systems contracted from Simply Voting Inc. To ensure you receive voting information and instructions, please verify your contact information by August 21, 2020, at egbc.ca/update-info.

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JUNE 19, 2020 Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Council of elected members and government representatives meets throughout the year to conduct the business of association governance. The following are the highlights of its June 19, 2020 meeting. PROFESSIONAL GOVERNANCE ACT UPDATE Council received an update from staff on progress towards establishing the required framework for the implementation of the Professional Governance Act —Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s new governing legislation—in November 2020. The most significant component of this framework is establishing new bylaws stipulated by the Act , and transitioning other bylaws currently contained in the Engineers and Geoscientists Act into this new legislation. The first milestone of this work is now complete, and the Bylaws will be reviewed by the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance over the summer. Council also reviewed progress towards implementing other elements required by the Professional Governance Act , including transitioning to a smaller Council, recruiting lay persons to serve on committees, and an updated Register. More information on the Professional Governance Act can be found on page 5. BALLOTING FOR THE 2020 COUNCIL ELECTION Council confirmed the elimination of paper ballots for the 2020 Council election, in line with efforts to reduce in- person meetings and paper handling during the anticipated second wave of COVID-19. For the past several years, the overwhelming majority of ballots have been cast electronically, with just seven paper ballots returned in 2019 (0.16 percent of all ballots received). More information on the Council election is available on the previous page. 2020 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD VIRTUALLY Due to current restrictions on conferences and public gatherings above 50 people, the Annual General Meeting, which requires a quorum of 50 registrants, cannot be held in-person this year. Council rescinded its previous motion that the 2020 Annual General Meeting be held in Victoria, and passed a new motion confirming it will be held virtually on October 17, 2020. Additional information on the 2020 AGM can be found on page 8. REVISED PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES AND DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF ELEVATING DEVICES IN NEW BUILDINGS Council approved two revised guidelines for legal and editorial review: • Professional Practice Guidelines – Mechanical Engineering Services for Building Projects , Version 2.0.

This is a significant update from the previous version of this document, which was published in 1993. In addition to updates reflecting modern regulatory and technology changes, the guidelines have added an interpretation of the intended scope of items listed in the Schedule B Letters of Assurance for the mechanical and plumbing disciplines, including areas of overlap or coordination between the mechanical and other discipline engineers of record. • Professional Practice Guidelines – Professional Responsibilities for the Design and Installation of Elevating Devices in New Buildings , Version 2.0. This update relates to the Province’s recent adoption of the Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators (CSA B44-16), and provides added clarity to the responsibility matrix, and introduces a new assurance statement related to mechanical systems of new elevating devices in order to satisfy the requirements of Technical Safety BC for professional assurance.

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NEW PRACTICE ADVISORY ADDRESSES FLOWING ARTESIAN WELLS AND EXCAVATIONS Engineers and Geoscientists BC issued a practice advisory, "Flowing Artesian Wells and Excavations", to inform registrants and licensees about their roles and responsibilities for anticipating and managing flowing artesian conditions during well design and construction, and reporting requirements under the Water Sustainability Act and Groundwater Protection Regulation . Uncontrolled or poorly constructed flowing artesian wells may result in the chronic loss of valuable groundwater resources. In addition, flowing artesian wells have the potential to cause significant damage to property and risks to life and the environment. The Water Sustainability Act indicates that the engineering or geoscience professional, the well driller, and the well and/or landowner have a shared responsibility to stop or control artesian flow. Engineering and geoscience professionals must analyze and mitigate risks associated with flowing artesian conditions on a per-project basis, and throughout the screening, planning, design, implementation, and completion stages. Full details and the current standard of practice, including considerations for well design and construction, and reporting requirements for well construction and decommissioning, are described in the practice advisory. This and other practice advisories and resources are available at egbc.ca/guidelines . To contact an Engineers and Geoscientists BC practice advisor, email practiceadvisor@egbc.ca or call 1.888.430.8035 or 604.430.8035.

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PROFESSIONALS PRACTICE AND ONSITE SEWERAGE SYSTEMS The design of small-scale onsite sewerage systems has a direct impact on public health and safety. That’s why this work requires extensive qualifications and training, and a solid understanding of regulatory requirements and guidelines. But a recurring trend of complaints over the past year— comprising up to 20 percent of all received complaints— suggests knowledge of these requirements may not be well understood. The following four complaints are examples that demonstrate this recurring trend. Complaint A : A registrant who practices civil engineering with a focus on building construction and maintenance designed an onsite wastewater system that malfunctioned a year later. The registrant admitted that he had previously only completed three other onsite wastewater systems. Complaint B : A registrant who practices geotechnical engineering signed and sealed design and filing documents for an onsite wastewater system that had been prepared by a non-registrant. This matter is being investigated to determine whether the registrant conducted the design and necessary site assessment work to be in a position to register the onsite wastewater system. Complaint C : A registrant who practices mechanical engineering designed an onsite wastewater system. The system malfunctioned and had to be replaced two years later, much earlier than expected. In their response, the registrant admitted their company did not have experienced or qualified staff to design and install onsite sewerage systems. Complaint D : A registrant who practices geotechnical engineering signed and sealed design and filing documents for an onsite wastewater system, which later became the subject of a complaint. The registrant had witnessed the design process on some systems, but had limited self-study of sewerage system guidelines. Engineers and Geoscientists BC became aware that the typical practice of the registrant’s previous employer was for registrants to sign and seal sewerage system design drawings, as-built drawings, and field reviews that were, in fact, typically created or performed by a technician and not a registered professional. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE STANDARDS Professional engineers and geoscientists should only design onsite wastewater systems when qualified to do so, and in accordance with the applicable standards, guidelines and regulations. The required knowledge, training, and experience in onsite sewerage system practice is outlined in Professional Practice Guidelines – Onsite Sewerage Systems , found at egbc.ca/guidelines. These guidelines apply to design,

construction, and maintenance of onsite sewerage systems under the Sewerage System Regulation (SSR), which regulates systems in BC of under 22,700 litres daily design flow. QUALIFICATIONS To determine practice qualifications in this area, registrants should pay particular attention to Section 3.0 Qualifications of these guidelines, which specifies that registrants should self-assess their abilities based on several considerations, including experience designing onsite sewerage systems, and knowledge of relevant technology and regulations. Competencies relevant to onsite sewerage systems include: • knowledge of design flows and source characterization; • soil loading and distribution, drainage and site preparation; • process selection skills; and • onsite sewerage system installation, operation, maintenance, and monitoring. A complete list of relevant competencies is provided in Professional Practice Guidelines – Onsite Sewerage Systems. REGULATIONS AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT The SSR requires that system design, construction, and maintenance only be undertaken by or under the supervision of authorized persons—either engineering or geoscience professionals or Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioners. The regulation relies upon the authorized person to certify that sewerage systems are designed and constructed in accordance with standard practice (as defined in SSR); that is, will not cause or contribute to a health hazard. Section 2.3 of the guidelines refers registrants to additional quality management requirements, explained in Engineers and Geoscientists BC quality management guidelines titled Direct Supervision and Use of Seal . Registrants must be aware of the professional responsibilities to undertake field reviews, approve changes, testing and commissioning, and providing a final letter of certification to the health authority, including submission of Design of onsite sewerage systems is complex and requires an understanding of regulatory requirements and guidelines. The Western Canada Onsite Wastewater Management Association of BC and Equip Training Ltd. provide training for professionals who wish to practice in this area. For video training on onsite sewerage systems practice standards, visit egbc.ca/online-offerings . record drawings and a maintenance plan. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

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UBC Mine Rescue Team members Logan Clegg, Dan Hagn, and Eric Grosser. P hotos : K ellan H iggins /N orman B. K eevil I nstitute of M ining E ngineering

UBC’S MINE RESCUE TEAM AND MINE SAFETY IN BC

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A lerted to the presence of one or more live casualties at an underground mining operation, UBC Mine Rescue Team captain Logan Clegg and his colleagues quickly assemble their gear. Based on information presented at a briefing, the team expects to face dense smoke, limited visibility, and limited communication to the surface. They collect a rescue basket, don self-contained breathing apparatus, and enter the mine. The clock is ticking.

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the MERD competition. Its women’s team won first place overall, and its men’s team won second overall. Now, UBC’s team has created and hosted an international competition of its own in Canada. The team, with the generous support of its sponsors, hopes to encourage the development of new teams across Canada, enabling students to learn and apply fundamental skills in mine safety and rescue. BC’S MINE DISASTERS Devastating mining accidents are woven into our provincial history. On May 3, 1887, the worst mining disaster in BC’s history occurred in an underground coal mine in Nanaimo, killing 148 workers. Gas or dust in the No. 1 Esplanade Mine led to a pair of explosions shortly before 6:00 PM. Accounts of the recovery efforts in the days following the explosions describe how many fatalities were not caused by the blasts themselves, but by “afterdamp”—a toxic mixture of gases found in mines after an explosion. Only seven workers survived. The mine closed permanently in 1938.

Clegg and the team are participating in a hands-on underground mine rescue simulation, part of the Canadian International Student Mine Rescue Competition. This international competition, the first of its kind in Canada, took place on February 21 and 22 at UBC, and attracted competitors from mining schools in both Canada and the USA. The underground rescue simulation was just one of five events in a competition that also challenged teams to demonstrate fire skills, first aid, equipment inspection and repair, and general mine rescue theory. UBC’s Underground Mine Rescue Team, formed in 2011, quickly rose to prominence in international competition. In its first year of competition, it placed first overall at the Mine Emergency Response Development (MERD) competition—a prominent, biennial mine rescue competition held in Colorado. The UBC team, made up of undergraduate students from UBC’s Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering, has consistently placed in the top three overall in the MERD competition. In 2019, UBC entered two teams in

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Unfortunately, the No. 1 Esplanade Mine Disaster was not an isolated incident; many other disasters would follow. For example, in 1901, 64 would die in the Cumberland No. 6 Mine Disaster. In May 1902, 128 people were killed in the Coal Creek Mine Disaster in Fernie, BC. MINE SAFETY TODAY Mining in BC has radically changed since it began in the 1850s. Open-pit mining has mitigated some of the risks commonly associated with underground mining. Technological advancements have led to more controlled blasting operations, and more precise gas monitoring. Mine workers are better trained, and mine operations are better regulated. The concept of “safety” has grown beyond personal protective equipment and first-aid training to include structured approaches to safety management. But while mining hazards are now better understood and mitigated, the hazards themselves are ever-present. Recent disasters such as the 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster in West Virginia speak to the importance of an ongoing commitment to safety.

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