Sask. reduces requirements for some service rig drivers in the oil and gas industry
CBC
The provincial government eased regulations for service rig drivers in the energy sector on Tuesday, in a bid to reduce interprovincial trade barriers.
The changes apply to drivers who are members of the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors (CAOEC).
Previously, those drivers were required to have a G endorsement on their licence, which requires drivers pulling trailers weighing more than 4,600 kg to undergo additional medical testing and pass extra written and road tests for pulling a heavy trailer.
The province also scrapped the requirement for those drivers to submit periodic medical fitness reports to the provincial insurer, SGI.
The changes brings Saskatchewan in line with Alberta, says Minister of Crown Investments Corporation — which is responsible for SGI — Jeremy Harrison.
“Having a consistent set of rules means that we are going to be able to have that efficiency,” Harrison said, noting the previous rules created administrative red tape for service rigs when crossing the provincial border.
“It is one oil field and individual companies are operating between the two jurisdictions,” he said.
Harrison said Saskatchewan is also working with Manitoba to try to create one set of regulations for the whole Prairie region.
The president and CEO of CAOEC — whose service rig drivers are now facing less regulations — Mark Scholz says the association is focused on providing “specialized” training to its Saskatchewan drivers in line with Alberta.
CAOEC will train and certify service rig operators for both provinces.
“There truly is no border that exists between Alberta and Saskatchewan from a commerce perspective in oil and gas,” Scholz said.
“We want to make sure that our crews can move back and forth between Alberta and Saskatchewan as efficiently and seamlessly as possible. And that's what this agreement does.”
Both Scholz and Harrison said the changes will not impact road safety.
“You have to keep in mind that our industry has an impeccable safety record when it comes to transportation,” Scholz said.
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