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Summary Report

For the

Electrical Contractor Community

2013 – 2014

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Minutes of Advisory Council meetings can be found

on ESA’s website at: www.esasafe.com/about-esa/stakeholder-engagement/meeting-minutes

For more information about ESA’s Advisory Councils

contact stakeholder.esa@electricalsafety.on.ca

2013 – 2014 Contractor Advisory Council (CoAC) MembersRichard Charron, Chair

Sandy Ragno, Vice Chair

Dave Ackison

Luke Bogdanovic

Joe Kurpe

Michael Lettner

Barry Moss

Dan Toppazzini

John Salmon

Scott Kelly

2013 – 2014 Electrical Contractors Registration Agency (ECRA) Advisory Council John Salmon, Chair

Fred Black, Vice Chair

Larry Allison

Sean Bell

Mark Garner

Debbie Mattina

Gary Oosterhof

Louis Violo

Paul Rawlings

John Buchanan

About this ReportEvery year ESA produces a corporate Annual Report

which provides a comprehensive review of the company’s

initiatives and accomplishments and is designed for use

by multiple stakeholders.

This Contractor Summary Report is produced specifically

for the Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) and Master

Electrician (ME) community and focuses on items of

greatest relevance to them. To read or obtain a copy

of the ESA Annual Report, visit www.esasafe.com.

Advisory CouncilsAn important way that ESA gets contractor input

is through its Advisory Councils. The Contractor

Advisory Council considers a broad range of issues

related to the application of the Ontario Electrical

Safety Code (OESC), while the Electrical Contractor

Registration Agency (ECRA) Advisory Council

focuses on contractor and Master Electrician licensing.

Contractor representatives also participate in the

Ontario Provincial Code Committee, which considers

changes to the OESC.

John B. Salmon, ME 1959 – 2014John Salmon served as Chair of the ECRA Council

from 2012 until his sudden passing in July 2014.

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FY2014 was a year filled with many accomplishments and

opportunities for ESA and the contractor community. ESA has

seen a 33 per cent decrease in the rate of electrical fatalities

between the periods 2004-2008 and 2009-2013. Safety among

contractors continues to be a priority, as interest in industry

electrical safety forums, regional contractor and licence holder

meetings grows.

Operationally, eight new Inspectors were trained through

our intensive Inspector Training Program (ITP), and are now

working with you in the field. Our licensing department is hard

at work, and continues to pursue contractors who break the

law and perform electrical work without a licence or contrary

to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. There have been a

number of significant convictions and fines, which we have

publicized throughout the year.

While we have much to be proud of, ESA is facing some

challenges. We know that we can do better than the current

level of service we’re providing at the Customer Service Centre.

We have completed a detailed review of our processes to see

where we can make improvements.

Message from the Chair –Contractor Advisory Council (CoAC)I am pleased to provide an overview of CoAC’s accomplishments

from the past year. CoAC meets five times a year in Toronto to

provide ESA with contractors’ perspectives on compliance and

safety issues.

Important topics this year included feedback on enforcement

of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, input into the Guideline

for LECs and DMEs, the development of the new online permit

application system, fee adjustments, content for Plugged In,

the administration of the Authorized Contractor Program (ACP),

and ESA’s ongoing public awareness campaigns.

The members of CoAC know firsthand that Electrical

Contractors and electricians have a real impact on the everyday

safety of Ontarians. I look forward to continuing to offer ESA the

industry perspective and building on CoAC’s accomplishments.

Richard Charron

Anew Electrical Contracting Ltd.

OEL Representative

Electrical Contractor Registration Agency (ECRA) Advisory CouncilThe mandate of ECRA is to provide input and advice to ESA

related to Electrical Contractor and Master Electrician licensing.

ESA would like to thank the members of ECRA for their

significant contributions of time and effort over the last year.

Among other activities, ECRA identified a need for LECs

and DMEs to have a deeper understanding of their obligations

under the licensing regulation. So ECRA and ESA created

the Guideline to the Duties and Responsibilities of Licensed

Electrical Contractors and Designated Master Electricians,

which was released in August 2014. It provides plain language

explanations of the requirements in the regulation. It includes

examples and suggestions provided by the contractor members

of ECRA. The purpose is to help contractors and MEs

understand the details of the regulation and ensure you

are meeting your obligations. To download a copy of the

Guideline, go to esasafe.com

Contractors are a business-savvy group that understands the

power a license represents in a marketplace where consumers

link professionalism to safety and trust. The input from the

contractor community is vital for ESA.

Letter from ESA’s Vice President, Operations

We’re upgrading our IT systems to help us complete requests

for inspections. For example, more LECs than ever are now

using our improved online system which allows them to take

out their own permits and make use of other useful features.

We will share progress on the actions we’re taking to improve

our service levels to you.

There was an increase in the actual number of electrical-related

fatalities in 2013. Eighteen preventable deaths that will affect

countless people for the rest of their lives – mothers, brothers,

children, colleagues. I know through our shared commitment

to safety where we work and live, ESA and Licensed Electrical

Contractors can and must prevent these types of tragedies.

I became ESA’s Vice President of Operations in September

2013 following Scott Saint’s appointment as Chief Public Safety

Officer (CPSO). I thank him for guiding an inspection team

with a passion for safety that is second to none. I would also

like to thank the CoAC, ECRA, and OPCC Advisory Councils

for their many contributions. Their advice is invaluable as we

work together on electrical safety initiatives that keep

all Ontarians safe every day.

Earl Davison

Vice President, Operations

and performed more than

427,000 inspections

ESA answered more than

490,000 calls at our call centre

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Plug in Safely Awareness Campaigns ESA continued to raise consumer awareness of the hazards

involved in faulty or improper electrical work and to

encourage those contemplating doing electrical work

to hire an LEC. The campaigns included radio ads, online

advertising, and social media components that encouraged

consumers to visit the pluginsafely.ca website to find an LEC.

Key Achievements of the Year – FY2014

Modified Inspection Process for Low-Risk Installations In FY2014, ESA launched a modified inspection process

for specific low-risk installations including ACP Residential

renovations (<$100), ACP Commercial and ACP Industrial.

ESA used our safety risk assessment tool to conduct an

electrical risk analysis by market sector to help with priority

setting, and to analyze Code defects to support the

development of compliance strategies and efficiencies.

Extreme Weather EventsFloods in the spring and summer of 2013 in Sault Ste. Marie,

Muskoka and Toronto presented these communities with a

host of electrical safety challenges. ESA Inspectors worked

to make sure that the electrical safety of homes, cottages

and business were not compromised, or an LEC was on the

scene to make the needed repairs safely. ESA also targeted

homeowners in these areas with messages on flood

electrical safety and hiring of LECs.

Four days before Christmas, Southern Ontario experienced

a devastating ice storm that left 350,000 homes without

electricity. Heavy ice brought down power lines and

damaged many homes’ electrical equipment. ESA went

to crisis response stance and deployed extra Inspectors,

extended call centre staffing through evenings, weekends

and holidays, and worked closely with Local Distribution

Companies and many local LECs to ensure power was

restored safely and quickly. ESA also executed a mass public

awareness campaign to educate consumers that their home’s

electrical equipment might need repair and they should hire

an LEC. The efforts of ESA, LECs, LDCs, first responders

and other safety partners contributed to the best possible

outcome: no electrical fatalities or critical injuries during

the ice storm or its aftermath.

Social Media Success

TWITTER garnered more than

825,000 impressions

During the spring campaign alone Facebook ads achieved

571,460 impressions

which resulted in 4,653 new fans for the ESA Facebook page

In the last year…

68,750 people clicked on ads to go to pluginsafely.ca

Once there, more than 2,875 people clicked on web page links, including Hire a Contractor

117.9 million impressions

The Fall and Spring LEC Campaigns saw:

More than

1,000

people attended

Contractor MeetingsOver 2400

LECs were members of ACP

ESA had more than

4,000 Continuous Safety Service (CSS) customers

and CSS Inspectors

visited more than

26,000 sites

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High Profile Convictions Licensing of electrical contractors has been required

since 2006, yet there are still those who do electrical

work without a license or a permit. In the last year, ESA

has successfully prosecuted many offenders, including

a case where a general contractor, Licensed Electrical

Contractor, and unlicensed individual were found guilty

of co-ordinating illegal electrical work in schools.

When convictions occur, ESA puts significant effort

into publicizing them so as to warn and deter others.

ESA will continue to encourage the courts to impose

higher fines on those who break the law.

New Online Application System ESA’s new and significantly expanded online application

system for processing permits was launched in March

2014. The new system provides:

• increased account information including permit

history and credit balances

• a multi functional home page with easy-to-use

point-and-click menus and drop-down options

to easily navigate screens,

• an address locator that allows you to pinpoint

the site of inspection

• improved search function to edit and schedule

multiple notifications

A dedicated group of LECs provided advice and guidance

to ESA throughout the development of this new system.

To access the new online system,

visit www.esaonlineservices.com

Senior Inspector Paul Murray tests a downed powerline during the December 2013 Ice Storm.

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Financial Info

FY2014 Allocation

of Contractor Licencing Revenue

Customer Service Activities:• 490,799 customer service calls• Permit processing• Inspector scheduling• Database management

and account management• Records searches

Wiring Inspection Activities and Enforcement:• 427,046 inspections• 17,851 warnings issued• 217,714 defects• 780+ investigations conducted• 37 charges laid• 7 convictions• Inspector and staff training• ACP administration• IT systems support

and developments

Contractor Licensing Revenue: $3.8 million

from licensing fees and associated training.

This is 4 per cent of ESA’s annual revenue.

Corporate Services:• Associated corporate support to the

contractor licensing program including labour and direct expenses for finance, HR, IT regulatory, policy, government liaison, building and IT infrastructure costs, insurance, etc.

ECRA/Other: • ECRA Advisory Council activities and projects,

including development of the “Guideline to the Duties and Responsibilities of Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs) and Designated Master Electricians (DMEs)”

• Master Examining Committee activities

Communications and Awareness Efforts:• 117.9 million impressions for public awareness

campaign advising consumers to use an LEC• LEC toolkits distributed and social media

strategy developed

Revenue ESA’s funding comes from fees paid for safety oversight, safety

services, licensing, and training, as well as investment income.

For this report, we are providing information on the allocation

of revenues from wiring permits and licensing fees.

FY2014 Allocation of Wiring Revenue 61%

18%

16%

25%

21% 32%

18%

4%

Regulation/Code Development:• New Code implementation and updates• CSA and government liaison• Ongoing technical assistance (TAs), bulletins• Regulatory policy reviews

Awareness and Education:• Plugged In newsletter distributed to all LECs• Campaigns to raise awareness of electrical

wiring safety• Safety event participation: Partners

in Prevention and more than 100 participants in mining and petrochemical sector electrical safety forums

• Ongoing stakeholder engagement, consultations and advisory council management

• Issues management e.g. disconnections, storms• Publicizing convictions

Corporate Services:• Associated cost to support the wiring program

including labour and direct expenses for finance, HR, IT, policy, government liaison, building and infrastructure costs, insurance, etc.

Licensing Administration: • 9,000+ licences renewed• 670+ master exams administered• 415+ ME licences issued• 1650+ licensing complaints handled• Development of new online

application system

Licensing Enforcement:• Investigations and enforcement

activities including:o 673 discipline notifications

and 479 licensing violationso 53 licensing investigationso Suspension of 55 licenceso Laying of 42 charges

3%2%

FY2014 Wiring Revenue: $53.2 million based on $29.4 million

from residential and $23.8 million from industrial, commercial

and institutional. This represents 56 per cent of ESA’s annual

revenues of $94.8 million.

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Operational ImprovementsESA will work to improve service at ESA’s call centre.

We’ve completed an end-to-end review of our processes

to see where we can make improvements and adjust

systems and technology to ensure we answer your

calls faster. ESA will also focus on Inspector utilization,

and look at ways to make Inspector scheduling more

mindful of LECs’ business needs.

Ontario Electrical Safety Code The next edition of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code

will come into effect in 2016. Stakeholder consultation

on proposed changes will happen in fall 2014 and winter

2015. ESA will be seeking feedback from LECs, DMEs

and electrical workers, among others.

Promotion of Electrical Safety Management Systems ESA will continue to target improvements in electrical

worker safety. ESA has developed a digital tool,

e-WorkSAFE, that puts safety plans and information

in hands of electrical workers at the job site. A contractor

specific variation of the tool will be launched in 2014.

ESA will explore ways to increase awareness around the

benefits of electrical safety management systems and look

at providing additional, tools, aid and education to skilled

electrical workers regarding the benefits and requirements

of following proper safety procedures.

Stakeholder Collaboration Improving worker safety would be impossible without

the participation of all safety partners. ESA will grow

relationships with WSPS, IHSA and the Ministry of Labour

while continuing to focus on our responsibilities of

transparency and collaboration with the contractor

community. ESA will always strive to maintain effective

Advisory Councils, whose recommendations provide ESA

with invaluable insight on electrical issues related not only

to contractors, but also consumers, industry and utilities.

High Risk Worker Safety

The Year AheadAt least one electrician or apprentice is killed each year working live.

• Electricians and apprentice electricians accounted for

24 per cent of occupational electrical-related fatalities

between 2004 and 2013, and they continue to

be critically injured on the job when working on

energized electrical panels or Ballasts/347V lighting.

• Fatalities to electrical trade workers accounted for

31 per cent of all occupational electrical-related

fatalities between 2004 and 2013.

• There are at least 4 critical injuries to electricians

on average each year.

Eliminating these deaths and injuries depends on an

effective partnership with Licensed Electrical Contractors

and Master Electricians. ESA has undertaken a number of

initiatives over the last year designed to ensure electrical

workers go home to their families at the end of the day.

• Electrical safety forums with mining and petrochemical

managers, electrical superintendents and electricians

from the largest employers in each industry.

Over 100 participants attended.

• Partnering with Workplace Safety and Prevention

Services (WSPS) and Infrastructure Health and

Safety Association (IHSA) to establish and expand

relationships specifically tied to skilled electrical

worker safety.

• Participation in a number of studies, helping

to identify strategies for modifying workplace

practice in high risk work.

• Collaboration on revising and providing training

on the Electrical Safety Handbook for Emergency

Responders, ensuring police, fire and paramedics

can safely assist in the event of an

electrical-related emergency.

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CONTACT USesasafe.com 1-877-ESA-SAFE (1-877-372-7233)www.esaonlineservices.com

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is a delegated administrative authority acting on behalf of the Government of Ontario with specific responsibilities under the Electricity Act and the Safety and Consumer Statutes Administration Act. As part of our mandate, we are responsible for administering regulation in four key areas:

• Ontario Electrical Safety Code (Regulation 164/99);

• Licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians (Regulation 570/05);

• Electrical Distribution Safety (Regulation 22/04); and

• Electrical Product Safety (Regulation 438/07).

ESA operates as a private, not-for-profit corporation. Our funding derives from fees for safety oversight, safety services, and licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians.

Our activities include:

• identifying and targeting leading causes of electrical risk;

• promoting awareness, education and training on electrical safety;

• ensuring compliance with regulations;

• investigating fatalities, injuries and fire losses associated with electricity;

• engaging with stakeholders to improve safety.

In 2010, ESA launched its five-year Harm Reduction Strategy which targets a 30 per cent reduction in electrical fatalities and fire fatalities by 2015.

MANDATE To enhance public electrical safety in Ontario.

MISSIONTo improve electrical safety for the well-being of the people of Ontario.

VISION An Ontario free of electrical fatalities and serious damage, injury or loss.