Passenger Ropeways
Annual State of Safety 2024
State of Safety: Passenger Ropeways
We oversee the safety of passenger ropeways throughout BC in accordance with the Safety Standards Act and the Elevating Devices Safety Regulation. These include tramways, gondolas, chairlifts, rope tows, and passenger conveyors.
In 2024, we worked on a detailed technical review and assessment of impacts for the newest edition of the Passenger Ropeways and Passenger Conveyors standard, CSA Z98-24. This standard was published in December 2024. We also began research and discussions with industry to clarify regulatory requirements related to training and competence of maintenance personnel working on passenger ropeways and conveyors. As we work to clarify these requirements, we are collaborating with industry to create a unified framework for documenting training and competence, ensuring consistent compliance across industry operators.
122
incidents reported in 2024
52
injuries reported in 2024
212
assessments completed in 2024
Snowboarder Severely Injured in Attempt to Reenact Stunt Seen on Social Media
A snowboarder was severely injured after jumping off of a chairlift to reenact a social media video, falling over eight meters and suffering a concussion, broken bones, and internal injuries that required long-term hospitalization. This incident highlights that patrons also have an important role to play in the safety of passenger ropeways.
Incidents
There were 122 incidents related to passenger ropeways reported to us in 2024, which was in line with the 123 incidents reported in 2023. Of the reported incidents, four were ranked as “major,” while 22 were ranked “moderate,” 36 were ranked as “minor,” and 51 ranked as “insignificant.” There were nine incidents “under assessment” as they were still under investigation at year’s end. Misloading or unloading incidents and falls from carriers continue to be leading causes of injury.
Passenger Ropeways Incidents by Year (2020-2024)
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Injuries
Fifty-two injuries were reported to us in 2024, a decrease of 29% compared to 2023. Of these injuries, 13 were ranked as “insignificant,” 21 were ranked as “minor,” 15 were ranked as “moderate” and three were ranked as “major.” Many injuries, such as falls or misloadings from chairlift carriers, are tied to behavioural factors, with some incidents involving children.
Passenger Ropeways Injuries by Year
(2020-2024)
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Permits
In 2024, we issued 20 installation permits for alterations and repair of ropeways, a decrease of 29% compared to the previous year. No new ropeways were installed in the year. We saw 199 active operating permits, which represents an increase of 4% compared to the previous year.
Passenger Ropeways Installation Permits by Year (2020-2024)
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Passenger Ropeways Operating Permits by Year (2020-2024)
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Assessments
Our safety officers completed 212 assessments in 2024, which represents an 11% increase compared to 2023. Of this total, 200 were in-person assessments while 12 were remote assessments.
The results of physical assessments included: 27 that “passed,” and 23 that “failed," and 150 that were each given a “conditional pass.” The results of remote assessments included: 10 that were each given a “conditional pass” and two that “passed."
Learn more about how we define these assessment outcomes. The most common non-compliances are related to the submission of reports, documented procedures, training and inspection information.
Passenger Ropeways Compliance of Duty Holder's Work in 2024 (Physical Assessment)
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Passenger Ropeways Compliance of Duty Holder's Work in 2024 (Remote Assessment)
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Learning from International Perspectives
We recently had the exciting opportunity to learn from, and exchange knowledge with global teams about passenger ropeways.
In 2024, we attended an international ropeway congress in Vancouver, organized by the Organization for Transportation by Rope (OITAF). This event brought together ropeway operators, manufacturers, public authorities, and other institutions to exchange knowledge, discuss industry developments, and showcase the latest technological advancements in the ropeway industry. The theme of urban transportation ropeways was especially relevant to British Columbia, as this technology is being considered in the proposed Burnaby Mountain Gondola project, which, if built, would become Canada’s first urban ropeway.
In addition, we participated in an international meeting of passenger ropeways regulators, organized by the International Organization of Ropeway Supervising Authorities (ITTAB). We collaborated with regulators from various countries and regions, sharing industry trends, regulatory challenges, and solutions. The insights gained from these discussions offer valuable perspectives to enhance our oversight of passenger ropeways in BC.