Compliance verification activity type: Field Inspection
Team:
Regulated company: Westcoast Energy Inc., carrying on business as Spectra Energy Transmission
Operating company: Enbridge Pipelines Inc.
Province(s) / Territory(s):
Discipline(s):
Related events:
Rationale and scope:
Environmental construction inspection of the Westcoast Energy Inc., carrying on business as Spectra Energy Transmission (Westcoast) High Pine Expansion Project (the Project). The Project consists of the construction of the North Loop (9.4 km NPS 42 sweet natural gas pipeline) and South Loop (29.8 km NPS 42 sweet natural gas pipeline), as well as the installation of a compressor unit at the Sunset Compressor Station (CS 16). This inspection was focused on the South Loop. The North and South Loops are located in the Peace River Regional District near Chetwynd, BC and parallels Westcoast’s existing T-North pipeline right-of-way (RoW). The Board issued Order XG-W102-024-2016 approving the Project on 17 August 2016. The purpose of the inspection was to verify that measures outlined in Inspection Officer Orders SLM-001-2017 and SLM-002-2017 have been implemented, as well as to verify compliance with the High Pine Expansion Project Environmental Protection Plan, the relevant portions of the Environmental Manual for Construction Projects in Canada (3rd Edition) and applicable legislation. The scope of the inspection included, but was not limited to, wetland and watercourse crossings, species at risk habitat mitigation, traditional land use sites, soil handling, erosion and sediment control, equipment cleaning, and waste management.
Compliance tool(s) used:
Facilities:
Facility Types
Life-cycle Phases
Regulatory requirements that apply to this activity:
Regulatory instrument number(s):
Additional Project-specific requirements or conditions:
Observation 1 - Watercourse Crossings
Date & time of visit: 2017-09-12 10:35
Discipline: Environmental Protection
Categories:
Facility:
Observations:
Inspection Officers (IOs) visited watercourse crossings (WCS) 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 40, and 42 on the South Loop.
Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used
Observation 2 - Notice of Non-Compliance (NNC) No. 1 - Garbage
Garbage was observed in various locations on the right-of-way (RoW), including:
Compliance tool used: Notice of Non-compliance (NNC)
Regulatory requirement:
Relevant section(s):
Company action required:
The company shall remind all crews to pick up garbage from the RoW on a daily/ongoing basis. The company must provide information on when and how this was discussed with crews.
Due date: 2017-11-03
Date closed: 2017-11-06 Note: the date closed is the date that the inspector completed their review of the company corrective actions for adequacy and determined that no further actions are required.
Reason closed: Requirement met
Compliance achieved: Yes
Observation 3 - NNC No. 2 - Spill Kits
Date & time of visit: 2017-09-13 14:02
IOs conducted multiple vehicle checks to look for "clean equipment" stickers, spill kits and fire extinguishers. On multiple occasions, vehicles were found to be missing spill kits:
The company shall equip all vehicles with spill kits, including the pieces of equipment mentioned in the observation. Operators shall be reminded that the daily check includes ensuring that the vehicle is equipped with a spill kit. The company must provide confirmation that the above noted equipment have been fitted with a spill kit.
Observation 4 - Corrected Non-Compliance (CNC) No. 1 - Missing Fire Extinguisher Tags
Date & time of visit: 2017-09-14 13:49
Discipline: Safety Management
During a vehicle check, IOs observed that the fire extinguisher on excavator EX184 did not have any inspection tags. IOs reviewed the inspection log for the excavator, and observed that the missing tags had been noted as missing on 30 August 2017
Compliance tool used: Corrected Non-compliance (CNC)
The company shall ensure that all vehicles are equipped with proper fire extinguishers, including up-to-date inspection tags. The fire extinguishers shall be checked every month as detailed in the Site-Specific Safety Plan.
Due date: 2017-09-14
Date closed: 2017-09-14 Note: the date closed is the date that the inspector completed their review of the company corrective actions for adequacy and determined that no further actions are required.
Observation 5 - NNC No. 3 - Equipment Cleanliness
Date & time of visit: 2017-09-13 13:03
IOs conducted multiple vehicle checks to look for "clean equipment" stickers, spill kits and fire extinguishers. Stickers confirming that the equipment was checked for cleanliness (weed-free, etc.) were absent on Bobcat 289D #4525 and Forklift G125A at the direct pipe installation site. A company representative stated that the Bobcat had just arrived on site and was being quarantined until they had a chance to inspect it. IOs noted that the bucket of the Bobcat was dirty with mud and organic matter, and mud was also observed in the tracks of the vehicle.
The equipment noted above shall not be used until it is cleaned according to the standards set out under section 6.0 of the EPP. The company shall ensure that all equipment arriving on the Project is checked before being delivered on site. The company must provide confirmation that the equipment above noted was cleaned before further use.
Observation 6 - IR No. 1 - Species at Risk
Date & time of visit: 2017-09-12 11:43
Near KP 11+800 (location of direct pipe installation), IOs observed the salvaging of juvenile western toads. There was a break in the exclusion fencing, which company representatives stated was done in order to facilitate the migration of toads through the site and to reduce the need for salvage and relocation. KPs 2+900 and 6+100 were also located in amphibian breeding habitat, as noted on the environmental alignment sheets. Signage and exclusion fencing were noted at these sites. IOs requested amphibian sweep reports prior to installing vehicle/equipment crossings at these locations.
Compliance tool used: Information Request (IR)
The company shall provide evidence (e.g. reports) that amphibian sweeps or daily searches were performed immediately prior to construction activities at KPs 2+900 and 6+100.
Observation 7 - NNC No. 4 - Pipeline Identification Signage
Date & time of visit: 2017-09-13 13:36
Discipline: Damage Prevention
IOs observed two pipeline identification signs for Westcoast operating pipelines that had fallen over due to erosion on the south bank of the Moberly River crossing.
A company representative notified the Operations group to immediately rectify the situation, and stated that a crew was sent out to re-install the signs. The company shall provide evidence that the signs were re-installed.
Observation 8 - CNC No. 2 - Secondary Containment
Date & time of visit: 2017-09-13 13:02
IOs noted that most stationary equipment at the direct pipe installation site had secondary containment and proper fire extinguishers. Some of the secondary containment had water that had accumulated at the bottom. The company was reminded to monitor the capacity of the drip trays and to dispose of the water appropriately when required.Near the storage area of the site, a drip tray was placed under many containers which together exceeded the capacity of the drip tray. A stack of drip trays that weren’t being utilized was located next to this tray. IOs also noted several stacked 2" pumps that were being stored without proper secondary containment.
The company shall provide confirmation that proper secondary equipment is being utilized (including for all containers and pumps) at the direct pipe installation site.
Due date: 2017-10-20
Date closed: 2017-09-15 Note: the date closed is the date that the inspector completed their review of the company corrective actions for adequacy and determined that no further actions are required.
Identified non-compliances to company plans or procedures are non-compliances either to:
- the condition of an authorization document that requires the implementation of that plan or procedure; or
- the relevant section of the regulations that requires implementation of that plan or procedure including those sections that require implementation of plans or procedures as a part of a Program