BC RAVS documents. Written to the OHS Regulation.

BC RAVS — common questions

Why do BC contractors need ISNetworld RAVS?

Major BC operators — Trans Mountain, Enbridge, LNG Canada, Coastal GasLink, BC Hydro, FortisBC, Teck Resources — use ISNetworld to pre-qualify contractors before issuing purchase orders. The RAVS (Review and Verification Service) section verifies that your safety program meets the operator's requirements and is aligned with applicable BC legislation. Without passing RAVS, your company cannot be approved to work for that client. BC-specific RAVS reference the BC OHS Regulation (B.C. Reg. 296/97) and the Workers Compensation Act (RSBC 1996, c 492), which is what ISNetworld reviewers verify against.

What legislation governs BC workplace safety and RAVS?

Workplace health and safety in BC is governed by the Workers Compensation Act (RSBC 1996, c 492) and the BC OHS Regulation (B.C. Reg. 296/97). WorkSafeBC administers and enforces both. The OHS Regulation contains detailed requirements for confined spaces (Part 9), fall protection (Part 11), personal protective equipment (Part 8), electrical safety (Part 19), rigging and lifting (Part 14), mobile equipment (Part 16), and WHMIS and hazardous substances (Part 5). Our BC RAVS documents reference these specific parts and sections.

How are BC RAVS different from Alberta RAVS?

BC RAVS are written to the BC OHS Regulation and Workers Compensation Act, using BC-specific regulatory language. Alberta RAVS are written to the Alberta OHS Code and OHS Act. The RAVS content covers the same safety topics but cites different legislation — and ISNetworld reviewers flag generic or wrong-province answers. If your work is in BC, you need BC-specific RAVS. If you work across both provinces, you may need both sets. We also carry National (Canada Industry Practices) RAVS for companies that operate across multiple provinces.

Do BC mining contractors need different RAVS?

BC mining operations are regulated under the Mines Act (RSBC 1996, c 293) and the Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia, in addition to the Workers Compensation Act. We carry BC Mining RAVS in addition to standard BC RAVS. Mining-specific RAVS address hazards unique to mine sites — blasting, ground control, mine rescue, and surface mining operations. If your company works at mine sites in BC, select the BC Mining RAVS that match your ISNetworld requirements.

How long does it take to complete a BC RAVS after purchasing?

Most companies complete a single RAVS element in 15 to 30 minutes. You open the Word document, replace the placeholder company name with your company's name, review any company-specific details (emergency contact numbers, safety officer name), then copy the content into the ISNetworld RAVS questionnaire. The BC RAVS bundle — all elements at once — typically takes two to four hours to complete and upload to ISNetworld.

Can I use the same RAVS for both ISNetworld and Avetta in BC?

ISNetworld and Avetta are separate pre-qualification platforms and each has its own questionnaire format. However, the underlying content of your RAVS answers — what your safety program covers and how it aligns with BC regulations — is the same for both. Our RAVS documents provide the safety program content. You would copy that content into whichever platform's questionnaire your hiring client uses. If your client uses Avetta or ComplyWorks rather than ISNetworld, the same documents apply.