Compliance Standards for Surface Passenger Ropeways
IMPORTANT: These Compliance Standards will go 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 Surface Passenger Ropeways
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 has 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.
Overspeed Device
- SHUT-DOWN – If the overspeed device is 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.
Tensioning Systems
- SHUT-DOWN – If carriage limit switch is not operative.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If carriage limit switch is not adjusted properly (to stop within 150 millimetres of the physical limits of the carriage).
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If carriage limit switch does not stop the lift when the carriage travels 150 millimetres beyond its normal operating range.
Hydraulic Tensioning
- SHUT-DOWN – If the relief valve is not operational once the pressure is more than 10% above that at which the valve opens or the rating noted in the acceptance test procedure/maintenance manual.
- SHUT-DOWN – If high- or low-pressure limits are not operative.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the velocity fuse is not operative.
Counterweight
- SHUT-DOWN – If the counterweight is not in full suspension at all times during operation.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the counterweight travel switch is not operative.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the counterweight tensioning ropes are not adjusted to provide at least 150 millimetres of remaining carriage travel when the counterweight reaches its upper or lower limits.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the counterweight wire rope is damaged.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the annual visual non-destructive testing (NDT) of the whole length of the counterweight rope and its connections was not completed.
Communication Systems
- SHUT-DOWN – If communication systems are not operative at the unloading and loading area.
Tow Path
- SHUT-DOWN – Pathway does not allow for continuous contact with the snow service while riding the lift.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – The tow path does not extend 1.5 times the stopping distance beyond the safety gate.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – The tow path width is less then 1.8 metres.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If tow path beyond safety gate is not clear of debris.
Tower Clearance
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If hanging tree limbs are encroaching or contacting the carriers.
Towers and Equipment
- SHUT-DOWN – If the tower de-ropement switch is not operative.
- SHUT-DOWN – The station de-ropement switch is not operative.
- SHUT-DOWN – The tower de-ropement switches is not of sufficient length in order to stop the ropeway if the rope leaves its normall running position.
Sheaves
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the tower sheave assembly is damaged, worn or bent.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the tower sheave assembly is not aligned correctly.
Carriers
- SHUT-DOWN – The single passenger carrier interval is less then 4.5 seconds.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the multiple carrier interval is less then 6 seconds.
- SHUT-DOWN – If the carrier interval does not allow the passengers to clear the loading point prior to the following carrier arriving.
- REPAIR / REPLACE – If the carrier seats have cracks, sharp edges, or snag points.
Haul Rope
- 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.
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)