Pubdate: Fri, 11 Jun 2010
Source: Nelson Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Nelson Daily News
Contact: http://www.nelsondailynews.com/section/nelson0303&template=letter
Website: http://www.nelsondailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/288
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n395/a01.html
Author: Craig Pickerell

CLARIFICATION ON GROW OPS

To the Editor:

This is in response to a story (May 27, 2010) in the Nelson Daily 
News entitled "NPD to moving ahead with grow op bylaw."

The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) is the province's delegated authority 
that oversees the safe installation and use of technical equipment in 
specific technologies; one of them being electrical equipment and 
systems.  Our operational strategy towards preventing accidents and 
managing risks involves enforcement, education and outreach, research 
and inspection.

Whenever we conduct inspections, our primary objective is to keep the 
public safe by ensuring that the equipment and related systems have 
been installed and used according to code.  If not, then the proper 
enforcement action must be issued.

With regards to inspections related to grow operations, we take extra 
precaution to ensure the safety of our staff.  The BCSA prohibits its 
employees from attending or performing inspections on any grow 
operations property without clear and written authorization from 
their direct supervisor.  That authorization only comes about after 
the BCSA is assured that all controlled substance operations have 
ceased, the premises are free of any harmful or toxic chemical 
substances, the building is structurally sound and that where a legal 
grow operation exists, a federal permit authoring the legal 
cultivation of marijuana has been obtained.

We hope this provides clarity with regards to this issue.

Craig Pickerell

Regional Business Leader

Southern Interior British Columbia Safety Authority
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom