Inspection Officer Order No. RRW–001–2026

Inspection Officer Order No. RRW-001-2026 [PDF 826 KB]

INSPECTION OFFICER ORDER NO. RRW-001-2026

IN THE MATTER OF THE CANADIAN ENERGY REGULATOR ACT,
AN ORDER UNDER SECTION 109

NorthRiver Midstream NEBC Connector GP Inc. (NorthRiver) is a Company conducting work near Fort St. John, British Columbia.

On or about 23 September 2026 at 09:00, the undersigned Canada Energy Regulator Inspection Officer conducted a compliance verification activity (CV2627–296) of the NEBC Connector Project near Fort St. John, BC.

RELEVANT FACTS

The following are the relevant facts relating to relating to the issuance of this Order:

1. On Spreads 4 and 6, CER Inspection Officers (IOs) observed that, upon inquiry, NorthRiver inspectors, contractor supervisors, and contractor workers were unable to demonstrate a consistent understanding of where hearing protection was required at the worksite. CER IOs observed the following work activities:
• Spread 4 contractor (SPI): trench construction, hydrovac operations, welding, pipe pullback operations, and non-destructive testing.
• Spread 6 contractor (Arnett & Burgess Energy Services): tie-ins, riser construction and welding, trench construction, section welding, and non-destructive testing.
2. The IOs observed that some NorthRiver inspectors were wearing single hearing protection; however, hearing protection was not consistently used when personnel were working near loud noise sources, including operating heavy equipment.
3. A review of field operational documents identified differing requirements for hearing protection. The 24 September 2026 Field Level Hazard Assessment (FLHA), Job N8346, for bending activities at RD 25–27, identified noise as a hazard and stated that “precautions need to be taken when sounds exceed 80 dBA.” The Daily Toolbox Meeting record for Job N8346 identified hearing protection as a control for operating equipment, specifying single hearing protection at 85 dBA and double hearing protection at 95 dBA.
4. IOs observed that some hearing conservation measures had been implemented for contractor workers, including hearing assessments, indicating that elements of a hearing conservation program were in place. Some contractor workers were also observed wearing single hearing protection during work activities on both Spreads 4 and 6.
5. NorthRiver was unable to provide documented assessments demonstrating that workplace noise hazards had been identified, evaluated, and controlled.
6. NorthRiver was unable to provide contractor noise assessments, surveys, or site studies demonstrating that workplace noise hazards had been assessed and appropriately controlled.
7. During CV2526-258, CER IOs identified inadequate oversight of contractor heavy equipment operators working within enclosed equipment cabs, where potential noise exposure above 85 dBA had not been adequately assessed or controlled.
8. NorthRiver did not demonstrate that employee exposure to noise was adequately identified, assessed, and controlled in accordance with its management system and applicable regulatory requirements of OPR 6.5(1)(g).
   NorthRiver did not demonstrate effective verification and supervision of contractors to ensure that noise exposure was managed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements of OPR 6.5(1)(k).

MEASURES TO BE TAKEN

Based on the facts referenced herein, where the Inspection Officer has reasonable grounds to believe that there is or is likely to be a contravention of Parts 2 to 5 or section 335 of the CER Act, or for a purpose referred to in subsection 102(2) CER Act, the Inspection Officer may, by Order, direct a person to

• stop doing something that is in contravention of Parts 2 to 5 or section 335 or cause it to be stopped;
• take any measure that is necessary in order to comply with Parts 2 to 5 or section 335 or mitigate the effects of non-compliance;
• stop doing something that may cause a hazard to the safety or security of persons, or damage to property or the environment or cause it to be stopped; or
• take any measure that is necessary to prevent or mitigate the hazard to the safety or security of persons or damage to property or the environment.

NorthRiver is ORDERED pursuant to subsections 109(1) and 109(2) of the CER Act to:

SPECIFIED MEASURES

Specified measures:

1. By 9 October 2026, NorthRiver shall provide a detailed corrective and preventive action report that demonstrates the immediate corrective actions implemented to address gaps in NorthRiver's hearing conservation program.
2. By 30 October 2026, NorthRiver shall:
• Establish and implement a hearing conservation program that complies with applicable regulatory requirements or standards specific to the jurisdiction in which work is conducted, and provide documentation demonstrating implementation.
• Provide NorthRiver's requirements for occupational monitoring of noise exposure, including the circumstances under which monitoring is required.
• Demonstrate that NorthRiver has implemented an audit and inspection program to verify compliance with company and contractor noise control requirements.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ORDER

This Inspection Officer Order takes effect immediately on 25 September 2026 at the time of delivery of this Order to the Company to whom it is directed. Nothing in this Order shall be construed as reducing, increasing, or otherwise affecting what may be required of the Company to whom it is directed to comply with all applicable legislative or legal requirements.

COMPLIANCE WITH THIS INSPECTION OFFICER ORDER IS MANDATORY

Failure to comply with an Inspection Officer Order issued under section 109 of the CER Act is an offence under section 112 of the CER Act.

Please note that:

1. In compliance with the CER’s Enforcement Policy, this Order will be posted on the CER’s website.
2. All submissions to the CER in response to the Order are to be provided within the CER Operations Regulatory Compliance Application (ORCA) quoting the associated CVA #, Inspection Officer Order #, and any specific measure with which the submission is associated. In addition, the Company is requested to send a copy of any response provided in the ORCA to the Inspection Officer via email.

CVA# CV2627-296

Date modified:

2026-10-16