Compliance Standards for Fibre or Rope Tows
IMPORTANT: These Compliance Standards went into effect on March 1, 2023.
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Compliance standards are lists of high-risk non-compliances associated with various devices. On periodic inspections, TSSA will only follow up on these high-risk non-compliances; however, regulated parties should recognize these high-risk non-compliances as items that need to be immediately addressed at any time. Other non-compliances that do not pose the same level of risk should be addressed in accordance with the timeline documented in the inspector's report. For more information, visit Compliance Standards - What, Why and Benefits.
Owners and operators are responsible for verifying that proper operating and maintenance procedures are being followed to ensure public safety, and have specific responsibilities for conveyor device safety under Ontario Regulation 209/01: Elevating Devices, advisories and manufacturers' bulletins.
Important Reminders
Certified Mechanics
- No person shall undertake any work on a ski lift unless the person is employed by a contractor and is either a mechanic or a mechanic-in-training working under the supervision of a mechanic
- A person may be involved in a task that is ancillary or incidental to the installation or maintenance of a ski lift provided he or she is supervised by a mechanic
Preseason Inspection
- Licence holders shall perform and document their preseason inspection to confirm compliance with Part 5 of the Elevating Devices Code Adoption Document.
TSSA Periodic and Operational Inspections
- TSSA periodic inspections are scheduled on a risk informed basis. Contact your local inspector to confirm if your lift is scheduled for inspection. Arrangements for inspections should be made with TSSA, preferably prior to the start of the season, to minimize any potential disruptions to your operation.
- An operational inspection may be required for your lift and it will be conducted during the ski season. Please have a copy of your preseason inspection at the ski area so it is available for the TSSA Inspector. The Inspector will check:
- The device is only operated and attended by trained and competent personnel
- The operator/attendant is located where they can observe the ropeway/conveyor operation and can immediately access stopping and communication devices
- That a second attendant is located at the unloading area where a single operator is not able to maintain surveillance of the entire pathway
- That provisions are made to readily load or unload or assist passengers who fail to load or unload
Compliance Standards / High-Risk Items for Fibre or Wire Rope Tows
During the periodic inspection, TSSA will be checking the following items and orders will be issued for non-compliance.
Note: In some circumstances, orders may be issued where high-risk safety hazards are discovered which are not identified in this standard.
- SHUT DOWN- If an item is deficient and an order is issued for immediate compliance (0 days for the compliance time):
- Remove the device from service and
- Repair before putting it back into service
- A repair can be done immediately during the maintenance unless it is a reportable incident according to the Incident Reporting Guidelines. Even if it is a reportable incident, a TSSA Supervisor or Investigator can authorize an immediate repair
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If the item is deficient and an order is issued for compliance within a 14-day time period:
- Fix as required
General
- REPAIR / REPLACE - If licence is expired.
Machine/Control Room
- SHUT-DOWN – If the Machine/Control Room lighting is not adequate or is not working.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the Machine/Control Room door is not lockable.
Controller
- SHUT-DOWN – If lift does not stop when a ground fault has been detected (all relevant devices).
- SHUT-DOWN – If any electrical protective devices are not operative (jumpers including fuses).
- SHUT-DOWN – If stop buttons are not operative.
Service Brake
- SHUT-DOWN – If the service brake surface is contaminated (oil/dirt).
- SHUT-DOWN – If the maximum stopping distance is greater than 8 metres; or D=1.2V2.
- Note: D = stopping distance (m), V = rope speed (m/s)
Anti-Rollback Device
- SHUT-DOWN – If the anti-rollback device is not free moving or is not operative.
Drive and Return Sheaves
- SHUT-DOWN – If there is no means to retain drive and return sheaves in their approximate operating positions in the event of bearing, shaft, or hub failure.
Counterweight - CWT
- SHUT-DOWN – Replace the damaged counterweight wire rope.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – The counterweight shall be in full suspension at all times during operation.
Tow Path
- SHUT-DOWN – If the snow depth does not prevent lift off of passengers from the tow path.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the tow path does not extend 1.5 times the stopping distance beyond the safety gate.
- SHUT-DOWN – If a clearance of 0.9 metres between the uphill rope and any obstructions between the loading and unloading area does not exist.
- SHUT-DOWN – If 1.8 metre tow path width matches T-bar
Clearances - Vertical
Fibre Rope Tow
- SHUT-DOWN – If the downhill rope is less than 2.1 metres above the surface and means to prevent contact do not exist.
Wire Rope Tow
- SHUT-DOWN – If the towing devices are not making contact with the surface at any point along the tow path.
Clearances - Horizontal Between Uphill and Downhill Side Rope
Fibre Rope Tow
- SHUT-DOWN – If the distance between the uphill and downhill ropes is less than 1.4 metres.
Wire Rope Tow
- SHUT-DOWN – The horizontal distance between uphill and downhill ropes exceeds twice the projection of any carrier attached to the haul rope.
- Note: This distance shall not be less than 1.0 metres for tows up to 100 metres in length and 1.4 metres in slope length and 1.4 metres for tows over 100 metres in slope length.
Towing Outfits
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the grips for wire rope tows have defects, cracks or sharp edges.
Guides
- SHUT-DOWN – If the means to guide the carriers into, around and out of the drive terminal are not present.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the carriers are swinging ecessively while passing around the sheave.
Haul Ropes
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the haul rope is found to have defects, wear, loss of diameter or breaks beyond the manufacturer's allowance.
Safety Gate
- SHUT-DOWN – If the safety gate is not located as close to the unload point as practicable.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the safety gate is not at least 1.5 times the maximum stopping distance from the bull wheel.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the safety gate height is not adjusted to be activated by all riders.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the safety gate is not above the snow height.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the safety gate is not the current carrying type.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the safety gate does not extend across the entire tow path.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the safety gate is not operative.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the safety gate does not encircle the uphill slope.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the path beyond the safety gate is not groomed.
Operation
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the line equipment is not cleared of ice and snow before operation.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the carriers are note cleared of ice and snow before operation.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the operating controls are located in such a manner that attendants cannot remain clear of the moving equipment.
Contact(s)