The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Acts specify in Paragraphs 155(1)(a) and (b) (Federal version) and Paragraphs 147(1)(a) and (b) (Provincial Version) that the Chief Safety Officer and/or the Chief Conservation Officer may
(a) authorize the use of equipment, methods, measures or standards in lieu of any required by any regulation made under section 153 (Federal version) and under section 146 (Provincial version), if those Officers are satisfied that the use of that other equipment or those other methods, measures or standards would provide a level of safety, protection of the environment and conservation equivalent to that provided by compliance with the regulations; or
(b) grant an exemption from any requirement imposed, by any regulation made under section 153, in respect of equipment, methods, measures or standards, if those Officers are satisfied with the level of safety, protection of the environment and conservation that will be achieved without compliance with that requirement.
Furthermore, Paragraph 210.07(1) (Federal version) and Paragraph 202BT(1) (Provincial version) states that the Chief Safety Officer may, on application, permit the use at a workplace, for a specified time and subject to specified conditions, of specified equipment, methods, measures, standards or other things, in lieu of any required by regulations made under Part III.1 (Federal version) and Part IIIA (Provincial version), if he or she is satisfied that protection of the health and safety of employees at the workplace would not be diminished and the granting of the permission is not otherwise prohibited by regulation.
To process such requests, a "regulatory query” process has been developed which the Board’s Operations/Health Safety & Environment Department administers.
Applicants requesting approval for substitution or exemption from a regulatory requirement must submit a Regulatory Query Form (RQ Form) in accordance with the Safety and Conservation Directive entitled Regulatory Queries.
RQ applications for substitution in lieu of Part III.1 (Federal version) and Part IIIA (Provincial version) regulations will be posted below for public review and submissions. Submissions received are forwarded to the applicant for review and consideration, and to the Chief Safety Officer for consideration before making an RQ decision.
If CNSOPB staff determines that the applicant's proposal is acceptable, they will make a recommendation to the Chief Safety Officer and/or the Chief Conservation Officer. The Chief Safety Officer and/or the Chief Conservation Officer makes the decision and posts such decisions below.
REGULATORY QUERY APPLICATIONS – Public Notice Board
The following Regulatory Query Applications have been made to the Chief Safety Officer for a regulatory variance in lieu of Regulations made under Part III.1 (Federal version) and Part IIIA (Provincial version) of the Accord Acts, and are open for public review and submissions. Public submissions may be made to the CNSOPB at email.
REGULATORY QUERIES – Decisions (Chief Safety Officer)
The CNSOPB posts all RQ decisions. You can view the decisions by clicking on the links in the table below.
Note: RQ Decisions made prior to April 13, 2012 are not posted
Date
|
Decision
|
25-10-18
|
RQ-163 - Venture Facilities Transition and Light House Mode
|
07-09-18
|
RQ-NRA-2018-OP-008 - Explosives Allowance on Noble Regina Allen
|
31-08-18
|
RQ-075 Rev 2 - Ice Fall Protection Removal
|
30-07-18
|
RQ-162 - North Triumph Facilities Transition and Lighthouse Mode
|
04-07-18
|
NRA-2018-OP-007 Life Rafts - Alternate Location for Rig Move
|
30-05-18
|
RQ-161 Temporary Increase in Maximum Personnel on Board
|
17-05-18
|
RQ-074, Rev 2, Deluge Testing
|
10-05-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ28 (Rev 0) Welding and Hot Work on West Aquarius
|
13-03-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ23 (Rev 0) – Escape Routes
|
13-03-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ13 (Rev 0) Fire Extinguishing Systems in Machinery and Flammable Liquid Storage Spaces
|
13-03-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ16 (Rev 0) Gas Detection Systems
|
13-03-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ17 (Rev 0) Alarm Panels and Signals
|
13-03-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ15 (Rev 0) Automatic Fire Detection Systems
|
21-02-18
|
RQ-160 Rev 1 - Hot Work - Non-Flame Hot Work on Offshore Platforms
|
21-02-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ22 (Rev 0) – Piping |
21-02-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ25 (Rev 0) – Sprinkler Systems in Accommodations Areas |
31-01-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ24 (Rev 0) - Rescue Basket |
18-04-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ14 (Rev 0) Fire Extinguishers
|
06-04-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ05 (Rev 0) Cranes
|
23-03-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ18 (Rev 0) Ladders, Stairways and Ramps
|
23-03-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ19 (Rev 0) Elevating Devices
|
23-03-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ03b (Rev 1) Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Areas
|
21-03-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ33 (Rev 1) Maximum Angle of Heel
|
14-03-18 |
WAQ-NS-RQ8 (Rev 0) – Ventilation of Hazardous Spaces
|
13-03-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ09 (Rev 0) Emergency Electrical Power
|
22-02-18 |
WAQ-NS-RQ07 (Rev 0) – Arrangement of Materials and Equipment
|
22-02-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ04 (Rev 0) Mechanical Equipment
|
21-02-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ12 (Rev 0) Fire Pump Systems and Water Mains
|
21-02-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ10 (Rev 0) Fire Hydrant Systems
|
21-02-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ06 (Rev 0) Collision Regulations
|
21-02-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ03c (Rev 0) Electrical Standards
|
25-01-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ03a (Rev 0) Hazardous Area Compliance
|
25-01-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ02 Helideck
|
13-01-18
|
WAQ-NS-RQ01 (Rev 1) General
|
18-12-17
|
RQ -NRA-2017-HZ-002 Hot Work – Under Permit During Operations |
21-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-HZ-004 Self-closing Doors – Manual Operation
|
21-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-FS-001 Deluge System – Manual in Lieu of Automatic Operation
|
21-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-EL-002 UPS for Alarm & Communication System
|
10-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-HZ-007 Static Electricity Technical Specification
|
10-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-ME-004 Man-lifts, Manriders, and Elevators Certification
|
10-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-HZ-003 Electrical Code – Alternate Standards
|
10-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-FG-001 System Design
|
09-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-OP-005 Rescue Boat — Alternate Arrangements
|
09-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-OP-004 Maintenance Regime
|
09-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-HZ-006 R1 Doors to Enclosed Areas
|
09-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-ME-002 Fuel Supply Shutoff— Alternate Standards
|
09-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-ME-001 Engine Maintenance — Alternate Standards
|
09-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-CN-004 A-class Divisions — Alternate Standards
|
09-11-07
|
RQ-NRA-2017-HZ-001 API 500 — Alternate Standard
|
06-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-ST-001 Stability Calculations to Include Ice_Snow Loading
|
06-11-07
|
RQ-NRA-2017-ST-002 Site Study_Investigation Standard
|
06-11-07
|
RQ-NRA-2017-CN-013 Platform Construction
|
06-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-CN-008 Structural and Fatigue Analysis
|
06-11-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-CN-001 Loads & Forces – Alternate Standards
|
26-09-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-CN-005 Rev.1 - Piping Design - PVC
|
18-09-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-CN-006 – Structural Design - Installation
|
18-09-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-OP-002, V1 - TP 4414 - Alternate Standards
|
18-09-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-CN-003 - Two Means of Escape – Alternate Standards
|
18-09-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-FS-006 Foam System - Design Standard
|
15-09-17
|
RQ-157, Rev 2 - Temporary Diesel Driven Air Compressor
|
15-09-17
|
RQ-075, Rev. 1 - Handrail Welding
|
05-09-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-OP-001 CSA Z299 Alternate Standards
|
05-09-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-FS-004 Water Mist System - Equivalent to Water Spray System
|
05-09-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-FS-003 Water Mist System - Equivalent to Sprinkler System
|
08-08-17
|
RQ-NRA-20I7-EL-001 Electrical Systems Design and Cable Standards
|
08-08-17
|
RQ-NRA-20I7-FS-002 Fire Pump - Audible Alarm at Pump
|
08-08-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-CN-011 Air Gap Determination Standard
|
08-08-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-OP-003 Rescue Basket Alternate Arrangements
|
08-08-17
|
RQ-NRA-2017-FS-007 Extinguishing System - Operational Status
|
22-06-17
|
RQ RQ-N RA-20 I 7-CN-002, Corrosion Protection Standard
|
12-08-15
|
RQ-070, Cert of West Fire Pump oil Circulation Unit Transformer
|
19-10-12
|
RQF 066, Global Marine Distress Safety System
|
29-09-12
|
RQF 065, Statutory Operations Manual
|
20-07-12
|
RQF-064, Light and Sound Signals
|
REGULATORY QUERIES – Decisions (Chief Conservation Officer)
The CNSOPB posts all RQ decisions. You can view the decisions by clicking on the links in the table below.
Note: RQ Decisions made prior to April 13, 2012 are not posted.