Data by technology: Passenger ropeways
Passenger ropeways
Technical Safety BC oversees the safety of passenger ropeways throughout British Columbia in accordance with the Safety Standards Act and the Elevating Devices Safety Regulation. These include tramways, gondolas, chairlifts, rope tows and passenger conveyors.
Incidents reported to us in 2021
Injuries reported to us in 2021
Assessments completed in 2021
Incidents
In 2021 there were 97 passenger ropeway related incidents, which is equal to the number of incidents reported in 2020. The majority of the incidents that occur on passenger ropeways or conveyors happen while loading, unloading or riding the ropeway or conveyor, and can be attributed to passenger actions or lack of competencies, operational factors, or a combination of both.
Note: The category under assessment refers to incidents reported to Technical Safety BC that were still under investigation at year’s end.
Passenger Ropeways Incidents by Year (2017 - 2021)
Injuries
Injuries in 2021 increased by 17% compared to 2020. This increase can be attributed to the increased number of skiers in 2021 as COVID-19 restrictions decreased, as well as a longer ski season in 2021, compared to when the ski season ended early in March 2020.
One incident resulted in a moderate injury. The majority of injuries attributed to patron actions or operational factors such as falls from carriers were rated as insignificant. However, these all had potential for more significant injuries
Passenger Ropeways Injuries by Year (2017 - 2021)
Permits
In 2021, there were a total of 233 passenger ropeway permits: 22 installation permits and 211 operating permits. Overall total permits increased by 14% compared to 2020.
Passenger Ropeways Permits by Year (2017 - 2021)
Assessments
In 2021, Technical Safety BC safety officers completed 208 inspections: 175 in-person and 33 remotely.
Assessments are rated as follows:
| Pass | The safety officer has assessed that the regulated work and/or regulated product was found to comply with the Safety Standards Act, regulations and/or applicable technical code(s). |
| Conditional Pass | The safety officer has assessed that the regulated work and/or regulated product was found to NOT comply with the Safety Standards Act, regulations and/or applicable technical code(s). Further regulated work may only be undertaken as directed on the certificate of inspection, while the identified non-compliances are being corrected. |
| Fail | The safety officer has assessed that the regulated work and/or regulated product was found to NOT comply with the Safety Standards Act, regulations and/or applicable technical code(s). Further regulated work on the affected system or phase of work, and/or operation of the regulated equipment must not be undertaken until the identified non-compliances have been corrected. |
Passenger Ropeways In-Person Inspections in 2021
Passenger Ropeways Remote Inspections in 2021
Industry partnerships
We continue to work with the BC passenger ropeways industry to improve training and knowledge of passenger ropeway maintenance personnel. This partnership with industry resulted in a Safety Order that was issued in January of 2021.