Submit an ASA Application

There are two options available under the Alternative Safety Approaches Regulation:

• An Equivalent Standard Approach (ESA) which usually applies to one aspect of an installation or operation.

• A Safety Management Plan (SMP) which is a broader approach and can apply to the safety of an entire facility.

Each instrument type is suitable to varying scopes of alternatives, which are further detailed and explained in the ASA manuals.

If you wish to submit an alternative safety approaches application, please be prepared to demonstrate that your alternative meets or exceeds the objectives of the prescribed regulations, codes or standards within the SSA. Given the varying scopes and magnitude of possible alternatives, there is no standard template for most types of ASA proposals, with the exception being an available Electrical Equivalent Standard Approach template.

Typically, an ASA can be developed by itemizing the regulatory sections, codes or standards, which are being suggested for “exemption”, and offering a well detailed and auditable proposal for alternatives which will meet or exceed the required safety requirements of the Act. ASA Guidance documents are provided to help you better understand and structure your proposal for application.

1. As a first step, contact asa@technicalsafetybc.ca to complete a screening assessment. This assessment helps determine whether the Alternative Safety Approaches (ASA) program is an ideal fit for your business, and which approach is most appropriate.

2. Decide if you are submitting an Equivalent Standard Approach* or a Safety Management Plan** Proposal. The Alternative Safety Approaches Process Overview (MAN 4035-04) document will guide you in deciding which approach best suits your needs.

3. If you are approved to apply, you will need to either log in using your existing online services account or you will need to create an account.

4. Once you have access to the ASA portal, select “Alternative Safety Approaches” from the left menu. We will create either a new pre-application or application file for you to complete and submit, which should be visible on your main dashboard.

5. For the most secure way to send documents and information to Technical Safety BC, please use the portal. While security measures are in place, email is not a fully secure method for sharing personal, confidential, or other sensitive information.

^{*Note: If you are submitting an Equivalent Standard Approach, please refer to the ESA Proposal Guideline (MAN 4042-02) document.}

^{**Note: If you are submitting a Safety Management Plan, please refer to the SMP Proposal Guideline (MAN 4034-03) document.}

The timing required to process an ASA application depends on the scope and nature of the desired alternative(s). Accordingly, we recommend you contact us at asa@technicalsafetybc.ca for a meeting to introduce your project as early as possible.

For more information on our fees, please see our fee schedule.

Once we have assessed your application, it will be available for review in our Alternative Safety Approaches (ASA) portal. This online portal will help you manage applications and documentation all in one place.

To manage your ASA application:

1. Either log in using your existing online services account or create an account. your account has been set up and activated, you can log in and begin using the portal.

2. To review the status of your ASA application, select "Alternative Safety Approaches" from the left menu. You will then see an overview table of all the applications you have submitted and their status.

To submit a name change to your ASA application, you will need to:

1. Log in to the ASA portal.

2. Select “Name Change” from the left menu.

3. If applicable, select the appropriate ASA number. If there is only one application, the ASA number will be pre-filled.

4. Complete the necessary updates to your application.

5. Submit the change to update records.

Note: If you need to send a message to TSBC staff, please use the “Correspondence” feature.

To submit a revision to your ASA application, you will need to:

1. Log in to the ASA portal.

2. Select “Revision” from the left menu.

3. If applicable, select the appropriate ASA number. If there is one application, the ASA number will be pre-filled.

4. Complete the necessary updates and select “Preview.” You will then be brought to an area to review your submission and click “Submit.”

5. The changes will be reviewed and processed by Technical Safety BC and a decision will be made available in the portal once it is finalized.