Alberta Boiler Pressure Equipment Safety

ABSA Information

	What Safety Programs and Services does ABSA deliver?
	Use of ABSA's Name or Logo on Promotional Materials

What Safety Programs And Services Does ABSA Deliver?

Under the Administration Agreement with the Alberta Government, ABSA is empowered and required to provide safety services in areas such as:

Safety regulation and standards development
Safety education, training, and support
Safety regulation compliance.

1. Safety Regulation and Standards Development

To ensure that the safety concerns of the public are addressed and to accommodate obsolete and changing technologies, ABSA participates in the development of legislative changes, policies, guidelines, directives and procedures.

As a jurisdictional representative, ABSA is also involved with the Canadian Standards Association, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and other committees.

2. Safety Education, Training, and Support

Accident prevention can be achieved through the education and training of personnel who design, fabricate, install, inspect, repair, and operate pressure equipment in the Province. Promoting industry knowledge and public awareness of safety issues is a very important role for ABSA.

ABSA supports industry with seminars for manufacturers, contractors, equipment owners, and other customer groups. We also support industry through the development and dissemination of information.

3. Safety Regulation Compliance

"Ensuring compliance with established regulations" is the fundamental reason for ABSA's formation and ongoing operations.

Accepted standards guiding the construction and use of pressure equipment have, in one form or another, been in place in Alberta for more than a hundred years. These standards are based, in large part, on the consequences and dangers of an unregulated environment.

Given the growth in the use of pressure equipment and the increasing complexities of the technologies, public safety can only be assured through regulations and the certification of qualified technical employees capable of ensuring compliance with those regulations.

Compliance is currently achieved through a variety of ABSA programs:

		a) Design Review and Registration include the review and registration of new pressure equipment designs, and of plans and procedures for repairs and alterations to existing pressure equipment, to ensure compliance with CSA, ASME, and other applicable codes and standards.
		b) New Construction Inspections ensure that equipment under construction will adhere to registered designs, all applicable codes and standards, legislative requirements and quality control procedures.
		c) Initial and Installation Inspections ensure that installation and fabrication meet all provincial legislation, codes and standards.
		d) In-Service Inspections provide for the periodic testing and inspection of equipment currently in operation to ensure that it is in safe operating condition. ABSA monitors the code and jurisdiction requirements by conducting regular inspections and audits of equipment and integrity management programs under the direction of the equipment owner. Inspections are scheduled to minimize the risk and liability of pressure equipment failures and malfunctions.
		e) Certification and Accreditation of Organizations reviews and verifies competency and compliance for organizations certified to construct, maintain, and service pressure equipment. The various quality programs for which certification may be obtained include: boiler and pressure vessel manufacturing pressure piping construction pressure fitting manufacturing pressure welder retesting pressure relief valve servicing Owner-User pressure equipment integrity management repairs and alterations to pressure equipment In-service inspection of pressure equipment.
		f) Certification of Workforce involves examining and certifying the competency of power engineers, pressure welders, welding examiners, and in-service inspectors. This program supports the legislated requirement for competent individuals in the safe operation of pressure plants, power plants, and heating plants and in the welding of pressure equipment.
		g) Accident Investigation's are conducted to determine causes and prevent future incidents/accidents. Accident investigation also involves working with industry to monitor the need for training, changes to operation or maintenance procedures, manufacturing specifications, and other requirements.
		h) Records Management defines and provides a framework to manage pressure equipment records and establish accountabilities.

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Use of ABSA's Name or Logo on Promotional Materials?

ABSA is frequently asked by industry for permission to use the ABSA logo in various forms of advertising including brochures, websites, and signs.

The ABSA logo is a registered trademark and cannot be used without ABSA's permission. In order to avoid misleading the public regarding any hint of affiliation, partnership or endorsement, ABSA does not allow its logo to be used by anyone other than ABSA.

As ABSA is a jurisdictional authority, not only must we be completely independent of all persons and companies that deal with us under the Safety Codes Act, but we must be perceived by all observers as being independent.

Additionally, companies may not use words indicating a special relationship to ABSA. An organization that holds a valid certificate of authorization issued by ABSA may use the wording "Certificate of Authorization issued by ABSA” however words like "ABSA certified" are misleading and are not permitted.

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Updated Dec 10, 2010