INNOVATION September-October 2017
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LIFE MEMBERSHIP UNDER REVIEW For many years, Engineers and Geoscientists BC has awarded life memberships under the association’s Bylaw 10(c.1). As a result of concerns raised about the bylaw, this practice has been discontinued while the matter is under review. Under the current bylaw, members may apply for life membership if they are 70 years of age, have been practising for 35 years or more, and have been a member in good standing for 20 years or more. Concerns have been raised with Engineers and Geoscientists BC that the bylaw is discriminatory on the basis of age. In light of the allegation of discrimination, Council has decided to stop awarding life membership until this issue has been examined in detail. Life membership requires a member to be retired from all gainful employment and does not provide practice rights. There are currently just over 2,400 life members of the association. We are working diligently to identify an interim solution for members who may be affected in the 2017/2018 renewal period. We have reached out to these members, and are gathering their input as we develop our next steps. Council will be reviewing the bylaw that governs this process, as well as related bylaws. If any changes become necessary, Council may be proposing bylaw revisions for member consideration in 2018. We are committed to keeping members informed as we learn more about this issue. If you have any questions about this process, please contact lifemember@egbc.ca. The Professional Practice Guidelines – Legislated Dam Safety Reviews in BC , were initially published in October 2016, 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 lsteele@egbc.ca.
UPDATES TO DAM SAFETY REVIEW GUIDELINES ADDRESS ENGINEER OF RECORD Engineers and Geoscientists BC 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 at egbc.ca/guidelines. 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 on 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 ∙Section 3.6 – Revisions made to reflect climate change impacts ∙Appendix B Mining Dams – Revisions made based on changes to the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code
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