Dam Safety

Dam Safety Committee

Dam Safety Committee	The Dam Safety Committee is responsible for Identifying issues relevant and important to dam safety, with implications for dam owners, regulators and dam practitioners Developing strategies to seek consensus on resolution of issues Provide stewardship of the Dam Safety Guidelines Developing other dam safety documents for publication. Committee members (May 2011) Clare Raska (Co-Chair) – Email Andy Zielinski (Co-Chair) Tony Bennett Ray Stewart Stephen Rigbey Dave MacMillan	Links and Attachments Committee Terms of Reference Dam Safety Committee Annual Report 2010 Status of Dam Safety Issues
Other committees	Because the subject of Dam Safety is central to the objectives of the CDA, strong liaison in maintained between the Dam Safety Committee and other committees including Regulators Committee Mining Dams Committee Small Dams Committee Education and Professional Development Committee Conference Organizing Committees
Working groups	The Dam Safety Committee establishes working groups to address particular topics and report back to the Committee. For example: Working group to develop Guidelines for Public Safety Around Dams Working group (Mining Dams Committee) to develop a Technical Bulletin on application of Dam Safety Guidelines to mining dams. Other working groups exist with less formal deliverables. These groups seek to advance the awareness and understanding of developing dam safety issues.

Dam Safety Guidelines

Dam Safety Guidelines	CDA first published Dam Safety Guidelines in 1995, with a revision in 1999. In 2007, a comprehensive revision was published after extensive engagement of the CDA membership by cross-Canada working groups. Principles applicable to all dams, which should be understood by dam owners, regulators, managers, operators, and others Outline of processes and criteria for management of dam safety in accordance with the principles. Questions and discussions arise about interpretation, criteria, and context. Management of dam safety is a complex matter with many uncertainties, and differences of opinion and practice. The CDA is committed to ongoing development and improvement of the Guidelines, in order to enhance dam safety practice. The Dam Safety Committee provides stewardship of the Dam Safety Guidelines and oversees the process for revisions.	Links and Attachments Purchase Dam Safety Guidelines Process for Revision of Dam Safety Guidelines Currently proposed revisions List of Technical Bulletins Corporate Sponsor access to Dam Safety Guidelines
Technical Bulletins	Nine Technical Bulletins were published in 2007, outlining suggested methodologies and procedures for consideration by professionals who are properly qualified by education and experience to carry out dam analyses and safety assessments. Revisions and additions to the Technical Bulletins will be published as separate documents after approval by the Dam Safety Committee.
Online access	A significant benefit for CDA Corporate Sponsors (Major Corporate Members) is online access to view the Dam Safety Guidelines.

PUBLIC SAFETY AROUND DAMS - ANNOUNCEMENT

The CDA Board of Directors and Dam Safety Committee are pleased to release a new publication, Public Safety Around Dams, and announce a program of regional workshops for 2012.

Construction and operation of dams and hydroelectric plants present unique challenges for management of public safety. Public Safety Around Dams provides guidance on implementing a managed system approach to these challenges. The principles apply to all dams and associated facilities.

Public Safety Around Dams includes the following documents under one cover:

• Guidelines for Public Safety Around Dams, a 44-page document which outlines a managed system approach, discussion of the public safety hazards associated with dams, step-by-step risk assessment methodology and templates, and description of typical risk treatment or control measures.
• Technical Bulletin: Signage for Public Safety Around Dams, a 20-page document of technical recommendations for signage and dozens of sample signs. This will help dam owners to plan and purchase appropriate signage.
• Technical Bulletin: Booms and Buoys for Public Safety Around Dams, 12 pages of technical guidance and an outline of regulatory requirements for booms and buoys in Canada.
• Technical Bulletin: Audible and Visual Signals for Public Safety Around Dams, 4 pages of guidance and references for use of audible and visual signals.

To purchase a copy of Public Safety Around Dams, fill out the order form on the CDA website or contact , Executive Director.

WORKSHOP PROGRAM

The Public Safety Workshop held at the 2011 CDA Conference in Fredericton received high praise as a very practical hands-on event providing realistic case studies and tools that could immediately be applied for assessment of public safety risks at a facility. Similar workshops will be presented at several locations during 2012. The instructors are trained in the CDA methodology and materials. Classes are limited in size so that participation is maximized and case studies can be addressed by small working groups.

Managers and operators of dam facilities who make risk management assessments or decisions related to public safety should consider attending the 2-day workshop.

Instruction will be based on Public Safety Around Dams. Participants should bring their own copy or order it as part of the workshop registration process.

A preliminary schedule is indicated below. Updates and registration will be available on the web in late January 2012. Registration for the March 5-6, 2012 workshop in Toronto is now open via the Conferences tab at the top of this page (then click on CDA Workshops).

TORONTO:	March 5-6, 2012
WESTERN CANADA:	April-May, 2012 (to be determined)
ATLANTIC CANADA:	April-May, 2012 (to be determined)
SASKATOON:	September, 2012 (either before or after the annual conference)
QUEBEC:	To be determined