CSA Group has unveiled its new global logo and tagline to consolidate all of its divisions under a unified brand identity.

The multi-dimensional logo reflects CSA Group’s global focus. The blue bands pay homage to the association’s past logos and the trusted CSA certification mark while the addition of green embodies the organization’s environmental commitment. The fluid spherical design reflects the unification of the operational structure and global outreach, with all divisions now recognized simply as “CSA Group.”

Along with the new logo, CSA Group also unveiled a new tagline: “Advancing Today, Anticipating Tomorrow” — underscoring the organization’s core principles of safety, collaboration, sustainability and innovation. The company says its commitment to social good, outstanding service and being a trusted advisor has never been stronger.

“The new brand is a result of our collaborative work with stakeholders, members and customers. We listened to their feedback about a desire to work with a more modern and global organization, while still maintaining our rich history and an emphasis on sustainability,” said Ash Sahi, president and CEO of CSA Group. “The singular, more streamlined brand identity will help as the organization extends its global service offerings and solutions to our customers and members while building on our specialized technical expertise, reputation, trustworthiness and rich heritage.”

Dedicated to efficiency and innovation for its customers, CSA Group strives to achieve excellence in all areas and markets in which it works. The newly unveiled brand positions CSA Group as a dynamic, future-focused organization while incorporating the knowledge and expertise gained over the organization’s 92-year history. 
www.csagroup.org

Since its launch in December 2008, the first edition of CSA Z462-08 Workplace Electrical Safety has had a significant impact on the electrical industry. Next to the Canadian Electrical Code, it has become the best-selling CSA standard. This January, CSA has published the second edition of CSA Z462. What changes are included in the 2012 edition?

Retraining
The first edition requires worker retraining at intervals sufficient to maintain an appropriate level of awareness, or more frequently if evidence indicates otherwise. The 2012 edition specifies that retraining intervals must not exceed three years. It is hoped that this will ensure employee training remains current with the changes that occur every three years in Z462.

The electrical safety-related work practices in the first edition of CSA Z462 primarily address electrical equipment that operates on alternating current (AC), and not direct current (DC). This gap has been addressed with both new and added requirements specific to DC. A new shock protection boundary table and an arc flash energy calculation method for DC equipment have been added.

What’s in a name?
For decades the terms “flame resistant” (FR) and “arc rated” have been used interchangeably when referring to arc flash personal protective equipment (PPE). While all arc rated PPE is flame resistant, not all FR material is or can be arc rated. 

To address this potentially fatal confusion between FR PPE and arc rated PPE, the new edition of Z462 consistently uses the term “arc rated” when referring to arc flash PPE.

Arc flash PPE selection
Most employers currently attempt to use the Hazard/Risk Category PPE Table to assign arc flash PPE. However, this approach is problematic as the Hazard/Risk Category PPE table was not designed for that purpose. A table has been added to assist employers to select arc flash PPE based on potential arc flash energy exposure.

The first edition of the standard frequently refers to hazard/risk as though the terms were synonymous, whereas in the OHS world hazard is a source of harm and risk is the combination of the likelihood that harm can result and the severity of that harm. Hazards are identified and risk is assessed. 

With the exception of the Hazard/Risk Category Method, in the second edition of Z462 the use of these terms will align internationally accepted standards on risk management. Annex F, Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, has been completely rewritten and is a good introduction to electrical hazard identification and risk assessment.

All too often, electrical safety is left to the electrical professionals such as engineers and electricians. OHS professionals need to become involved in and bring their wealth of hazard identification and risk management knowledge to electrical safety. The 2012 edition of CSA Z462 is a good place to start.

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Daniel Roberts is the national safety manager for Schneider Electric Canada Services and Projects Division. He serves as a technical committee member on the Canadian Electrical Code Part I, CSA Z1001 OHS Training Standard, and CSA Z1002 OHS Risk Management Standard technical committees. He is vice-chair of the CSA Z462 Workplace Electrical Safety technical committee.

Part 1 in a series of videos from CSA outlining the changes to the 2012 edition of CSA Z462 – Workplace Electrical Safety, which handles electrical maintenance and arc flash hazards.

Tim Pope and Bob Nelson from CSA Standards discuss the 2012 Canadian Electrical Code, Part I. Topics covered include: what is the Canadian Electrical Code, factors that drove the update, key changes for 2012, jobs that will be most impacted, and when will it be adopted.

The 2012 Canadian Electrical Code, Part I is now available for pre-order through CSA Standards. Whether you're a contractor, installer, designer or manufacturer, it's your responsibility to ensure that you follow the most up-to-date safe electrical installation requirements. The 22nd edition Canadian Electrical Code builds on an 80-year legacy as a key component of the Canadian electrical safety system.

The new edition contains over 180 updates and revisions — the most comprehensive set of changes ever. New and extensively updated sections apply to emerging technology, renewable energy sources including solar & wind, new requirements for electric vehicle charging, and more.

While the new edition publishes in early January, pre-order purchasers can save 15% on orders placed before Oct. 31, 2011.  More information is available at www.knowthecode2012.com.

To help businesses and organizations better understand how the new standard can impact their energy consumption, CSA Standards is presenting a 90-minute webinar on Tuesday, Sept. 27, from noon to 1:30 p.m. EDT. Entitled “ISO 50001: Insights into Implementation,” it will discuss how implementation of an energy management system can improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs -- making them more competitive in the global marketplace.
 
CSA believes the adoption of this new standard will help businesses and organizations throughout Canada and the world to become highly-efficient energy users.
 
For more information on ISO 50001, or to register for this webinar, go to shop.csa.ca.

CSA Standards has announced the Canadian availability of the ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard — the world's first global energy management system standard — to help businesses manage and reduce energy consumption and costs and remain competitive in today's marketplace. (CSA is also offering a $49 webinar on the standard.)

According to a CSA/Leger Marketing survey, almost a quarter of Canadian executives feel energy is not being consumed efficiently within their organization. The new standard will outline best practices for streamlining energy consumption such as the measurement of current energy use and the implementation of an energy measurement system to document, report and validate ongoing improvements in energy management.

"Seventy-nine percent of Canadian executives believe that energy efficiency is a key component to business success," said Bonnie Rose, president of CSA Standards. "And although the bottom line is not the only measure of success, the implementation of ISO 50001 will help businesses move forward in achieving their environmental goals by reducing their energy consumption and carbon footprint, while also recognizing the cost savings associated with reduced energy consumption."

The ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard is a voluntary, internationally accepted framework for the management of energy for businesses of all sizes. More than 90 per cent of Canadian executives believe that every organization has a responsibility to manage its energy use, the CSA/Leger Marketing survey reveals. Conformance with the standard will demonstrate an organization has an energy management system in place, has completed an established baseline of energy use, and has committed to continuous improvement of its energy performance.

Before the introduction of ISO 50001, no national energy management systems standard in Canada existed. In fact, according to the CSA/Leger Marketing survey, only about 30 percent of Canadian executives say that their organization has an active energy management program. Among those organizations that do not, 12 per cent are planning to implement one within a year. The adoption of the ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard in Canada will assist thousands of businesses, many of which have global operations and require adherence to international standards, to become highly efficient energy users.

"Every new road travelled requires a map; the ISO 50001 standard is a roadmap for Canadian businesses that have chosen the path to sustainable energy performance," Rose said. Ninety percent of Canadian executives believe that equipping employees with the right tools and training to manage energy use will reduce consumption. "The standard is a critical element in the collective fight against climate change. After all, if you do not measure it, you cannot control it. The standard offers a systematic review and analysis of energy consumption helping to lead to better energy conservation and efficiency," she added.

The CSA/Leger Marketing survey reveals more than half of Canadian executives say it is important to participate in programs that improve the energy or sustainable performance of their organization and 14 per cent say their suppliers, customers or stakeholders are asking for evidence of their environmental or energy performance practices.

ISO is the International Organization for Standardization. It is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies representing approximately 140 countries. Publication of an international standard like the ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard requires approval from at least 75 percent of member bodies.

The CAN/CSA ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard is priced at $105 CDN. It is available for purchase immediately at shop.csa.ca.

The newly released ISO 50001 Energy Management System standard will establish an international framework for companies and organizations to manage all aspects of energy, including procurement and use, to increase energy efficiency, reduce costs, and improve environmental performance.

Attend this free 90-minute webinar and gain an understanding of the new standard, its impact on Canadian industry, and how an effectively-implemented energy management system can help your company reduce costs and environmental impact, and enhance your competitiveness in the global marketplace. 

Register for the webinar here.

Franklin, WI - Meltric Corporation, a manufacturer of CSA switch rated plugs and receptacles, introduces a new line of portable power distribution boxes that are made of a durable rubber material. The heavy-duty rubber boxes provide portability while the switch rated plugs and receptacles ensure electrical safety and simplify code compliance. Standard as well as custom configurations are available with inputs up to 100 amps and voltages up to 600 volts. Optional features include mini circuit breakers and duplex receptacles. With the release of this new product line more facilities will be able to benefit from using Meltric’s switch rated plugs and receptacles to distribute power to welders, lighting, pumps and other electrical equipment.

CSA Standards has recently released its new CSA Z1006 Management of Work in Confined Spaces standard, which specifies requirements and guidelines for work in confined spaces as well as co-ordinating rescues — an issue that affects maintenance professionals working around tight spaces, including tunnels, shipping compartments, pump stations, boilers and chemical tanks.

Workers in confined spaces can be at risk of serious injury or death resulting from asphyxiation, engulfment, electric shock, falls, and heat, fire, explosion or long-term illness. In addition, more than 60 percent of confined space fatalities are would-be rescuers, according to the CSA.

WATCH VIDEO: CSA Z1006 Management of Work in Confined Spaces standard is an issue that affects maintenance professionals.

“Even the most skilled workers can become trapped, injured or overcome by toxins in a confined space,” says Suzanne Kiraly, president of CSA Standards. “This new CSA standard, the first of its kind in Canada, defines what a confined space is and provides guidelines to managers, workers and rescuers for identifying and avoiding potential risks while not becoming victims themselves.”

A confined space is defined as a workspace that is fully or partially enclosed, is not designed or intended for continuous human occupancy and has limited or restricted access, exiting or an internal configuration that can complicate provisions of first aid, evacuation, rescue or other emergency response services. Confined spaces can be found in almost all industries in Canada, which include tunnels, mines, grain silos, hydro vaults, shipping compartments, pump stations, boilers, chemical tanks and more. Every confined space is considered to be hazardous unless deemed not so by a competent person through a hazard identification and risk assessment.

CSA Z1006 is pending approval as a national Standard of Canada. Current standards and regulations vary across jurisdictions and, until now, there has not been a comprehensive national standard or even a consistent definition of “confined space.”

Some regions have general occupational health and safety or sector regulations addressing various minimum requirements relating to their jurisdictions. CSA has considered these jurisdictional differences and embraced applicable legislation to address the need for a comprehensive national standard. The standard was developed specifically to ensure that it does not conflict with existing regulations but rather works in combination with them to help ensure a high level of safety.

CSA Standards Z1006 Management of Work in Confined Spaces standard is available for pre-order in English by contacting CSA Standards Sales at 800-463-6727 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The French version will be available late summer 2010.
www.csa.ca