CLARIFICATION ON GROW OPS

To the Editor:

This is in response to a story (May 27, 2010) in the Nelson Daily
News entitled "NPD to moving ahead with grow op bylaw."

The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) is the province's delegated authority
that oversees the safe installation and use of technical equipment in
specific technologies; one of them being electrical equipment and
systems. Our operational strategy towards preventing accidents and
managing risks involves enforcement, education and outreach, research
and inspection.

Whenever we conduct inspections, our primary objective is to keep the
public safe by ensuring that the equipment and related systems have
been installed and used according to code. If not, then the proper
enforcement action must be issued.

With regards to inspections related to grow operations, we take extra
precaution to ensure the safety of our staff. The BCSA prohibits its
employees from attending or performing inspections on any grow
operations property without clear and written authorization from
their direct supervisor. That authorization only comes about after
the BCSA is assured that all controlled substance operations have
ceased, the premises are free of any harmful or toxic chemical
substances, the building is structurally sound and that where a legal
grow operation exists, a federal permit authoring the legal
cultivation of marijuana has been obtained.

We hope this provides clarity with regards to this issue.

Craig Pickerell

Regional Business Leader

Southern Interior British Columbia Safety Authority