Safety Order: Doppelmayr DS series fixed jaw failure

Failure to comply with a safety order is an offence under section 72 of the Safety Standards Act.

Part 1: Details of Regulated Work or Regulated Product

This safety order is being issued in relation to (circle or highlight one):

This safety order, No: SO-PR 2012-03, applies to all Doppelmayr detachable above surface passenger ropeways that utilize DS Series detachable grips.

An incident where a fixed jaw failed on a Doppelmayr DS108 detachable grip in on an 8 passenger gondola in February 2012 at a resort in BC has prompted the manufacturer to issue a bulletin. It has been determined that a bulletin issued in 1997, identified as Doppelmayr Bulletin D-09, was not complied with on a majority of affected passenger ropeway installations in BC. Doppelmayr bulletin D-09 required action to mitigate these types of failures. The purpose of this Safety Order is to ensure that all affected passenger ropeway contractors in BC have complied with the manufacturers requirements identified in bulletin SB-12-009.

All operators of this equipment should be in receipt of Doppelmayr Service Bulletin SB-12-009 as of September 7,2012. If you are not in receipt of this bulletin it is attached for your reference; however if you did not receive it please notify the manufacturer immediately.

Part 2: Requirement(s) of this safety order

All operators of Doppelmayr detachable above surface ropeways that utilize DS Series grips that are not already in compliance with Doppelmayr bulletin D-09 must complete the following requirements:

1. Complete the visual inspection requirements identified in Doppelmayr Service Bulletin SB-12-009 (see item #1 on page 2 of the bulletin). If the affected passenger ropeway installations at your area were in operation at the time the bulletin was issued this visual inspection should have been implemented immediately. If the affected installations at your area are not in operation but operation for public is planned prior to completing the MT testing identified in the bulletin, then the required visual inspections must take place prior to operation. Any jaws found with crack indications must be taken out of service and reported to the manufacturer and BCSA immediately.
2. Complete MT testing of all non-compliant fixed jaws identified in Doppelmayr Service Bulletin SB- 12-009 (see item #2 on page 2 of the bulletin) prior to public operation for the 2012/2013 winter season. The testing must be in accordance with Doppelmayr test procedures PSKL0112 and PAMT0020 identified in the bulletin. These test procedures require wet fluorescent magnetic particle inspection. Any rejected fixed jaws must be reported to the manufacturer and BCSA prior to operation for public on the affected installation. This testing must occur every two years on detachable grips that are not in compliance with requirements of Doppelmayr Bulletin D-09.
3. If any affected passenger ropeway installations are in operation for public prior to the required MT testing identified above then a monthly visual inspection is required (see item #3 on page #2 of the bulletin). This applies to affected passenger ropeways that may be in operation for foot passengers leading up to the 2012/2013 winter season. Any jaws found with crack indications must be taken out of service and reported to the manufacturer and BCSA immediately.
4. Repair procedures SPKL0001 and/or SPKL0002 identified in Doppelmayr Service Bulletin SB- 12-009 (see item #4 on page 2 of the bulletin) must be started on a minimum of 20% of the detachable grips on the affected passenger ropeway installations at your area prior to the 2013/14 winter season. Ongoing repairs of 20% of the detachable grips will occur each year until all repairs are complete. Maintenance records must reflect actual measurements and the actions taken on each fixed jaw. Maintenance records for these actions must be submitted to BCSA each year until all repairs are complete.

All passenger ropeway contractors must submit the attached response form for each affected passenger ropeway installation prior to the 2012/13 winter season. The response form must be completed in its entirety.

Part 3: Details of Issue

This safety order is being issued to the following: All passenger ropeway contractors operating Dopplemayr passenger ropeways utilizing DS 104/108 detachable grips.

Part 4: Details of Ordering Safety Manager or Safety Officer – Please read following page

I certify that I am authorized to issue this safety order in accordance with section 15 (d) of the Safety Standards Act or that I have been delegated this power under section 15 (g) of the Safety Standards Act.

Jason Gill                                                                                                              Date: September 24, 2012

Provincial Safety Manager, Passenger Ropeways and Amusement Devices

References:

Safety Standards Act