BMP 14 – Temporary Work Camps

Temporary work camps are a common element of a mineral exploration program. All work camps, either on Crown Land or in a provincial park, are to be established in an environmentally friendly manner with consideration given to the protection of surrounding natural resources.

The plans and specifications for all proposed work camps, or any additions to an established camp, must be submitted for approval prior to setup or alteration through a Work Permit Application submitted to Permit.Office@gov.mb.ca. that details:

The location of the camp and areas proposed for use;
Number of work camp occupants;
Length of camp operation;
Proposed access route and methods used to set up and service the camp;
All proposed water supply sources and methods of withdrawal;
Proposed facilities to allow the camp to be operational (e.g.: power source, waste management, etc.);
Proposed method of wastewater handling and disposal; and
Decommissioning plan.

Depending on the developments proposed, a work camp may require permits (e.g.: building / plumbing / occupancy) to be obtained from the appropriate Land Authority (e.g.: municipality, Provincial Parks or Indigenous Economic Development). In specific circumstances, a building permit may be required to be issued by Inspection and Technical Services Manitoba in the Department of Labour and Immigration at the request of the Land Authority.

For more information on the roles of and responsibilities around building permits please refer to bulletin: ITS 22-011 – The Buildings Act Roles and Responsibilities.

Information on permits issued by Inspection and Technical Services can be found here.

The type and duration of the stay will dictate the kind of permit required:

A Crown Land Work Permit for a work camp proposing to operate for less than one year;
A Crown Land General Permit for a work camp proposing to operate longer than one year and involving broader development (to apply, contact the local Crown Land Management Specialist); or
A Provincial Park Permit for a work camp proposed in an acceptable land use category of a provincial park.

Any changes to the type or size of an approved work camp must be updated and approved with the appropriate authority issuing the respective permit.

NOTE: A Work Permit holder, for purposes of a temporary construction camp, is responsible for the actions of their contractors, subcontractors, agents, and employees.

Work Camp Planning Considerations

Where possible, temporary work camps should:

Minimize surface disturbance and environmental impacts;
Utilize previously established roads and trails for access – refer to BMP 7 – Road and Trail Access;
Utilize previously cleared areas or natural openings to limit the amount of new clearing – refer to BMP 6 – Timber Clearing Activities;
Be situated no closer than 30 metres from a Water Body unless otherwise approved;
Utilize existing solid waste disposal facilities or liquid wastewater treatment facilities, with authorization obtained from the local jurisdiction;
Locate proposed greywater disposal, waste and hydrocarbon storage, and portable or outhouse style sewage facilities at least 100 metres from a Water Body or high-water level and in an area that will not result in runoff into a Water Body should a spill or release occur.

Work Camp Wastewater Considerations

All wastewater must be managed in accordance with the requirements set out by the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

If proposed, operations with a combined wastewater flow of more than 10,000 litres per day must file a proposal for an Environment Act Licence with the Environmental Approvals Branch. All other wastewater management systems must be approved by the Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Branch.

Disposal of liquid waste arising from food preparation, laundry, bath, and latrines must not pollute groundwater or surface water. Disposal methods will depend on:

Type of waste;
Volume of waste;
Soil characteristics;
Water table depth;
Distance from water wells, water bodies and other dwellings or facilities;
Remoteness of the work camp; and
Seasonal considerations (e.g.: frozen ground).

Unless otherwise approved, any sump or pit used for storing liquid waste must be a minimum of 30 metres back from the high-water level of any Water Body; 7.5 metres away from occupied buildings; and 15 metres away from drilled wells.

Greywater: Liquid waste produced by things like bathing, laundering, and food preparation, including drainage related to these sources (excluding sewage and septage). Greywater is not permitted to be discharged onto the surface of the ground.

A greywater (sullage) pit is simply a covered hole in the ground that is filled with stone used to collect and distribute small volumes of greywater. Greywater pits are only permitted when the camp is not serviced by a water system under pressure.

Greywater Pits:

Must be located a minimum of 30 metres back from the high-water level of any Water Body;
The depth of the pit must be shallow, and the bottom of the pit must be a minimum of 1 metre from the bedrock or high water table;
The pit should remain covered when not in use; and
Must be covered over with earth during decommissioning.

For work camps in remote areas or small, short-term camps, pit privies including latrines and sewage pits/sumps may be used for the disposal of wastewater. The method of wastewater disposal must be identified in a Work Permit Application.

Outhouses and Pit Privies:

Should only be constructed in suitable soils which will not contaminate the water table due to high permeability;
Should be of sound construction, vented, fly proof and sanitary;
Must be at least 6 metres from any habitable building, must be at least 30 metres from surface water and 15 metres from a well;
The pit shall be of adequate depth and located where the soil depth, measured from the bottom of the pit is a minimum of 1 metre from the bedrock or normal high-water table; and
Must be filled in and covered over with earth during decommissioning.

NOTE: Any liquid waste containing heavy metals, toxic materials, flammable, explosive or radioactive substances must not be discharged into greywater pits, pit privies or to domestic wastewater systems. Such wastes must be taken to a licensed hazardous waste facility that is authorized to accept that type of waste. Storage and handling of hazardous waste must comply with applicable regulations, including the Hazardous Waste Regulation, M.R. 195/2015 . See BMP 4 – Hazardous Substances, Wastes and Dangerous Goods for more information.

If proposed, any onsite wastewater management systems, including holding/septic tanks and septic fields, must be registered with the Department of Environment and Climate. An application form must be submitted for any new installation, modification or repair to an existing system. The requirements are set out in the Onsite Wastewater Management Systems Regulation, M.R. 83/2003. More information on the Onsite Wastewater Management Systems program can be found here.

Holding Tanks

Are prohibited in areas where pump out service is not available;
Must be CSA approved, have a child-resistant cover and be constructed of an approved material; and
Must meet minimum setback distances, including a minimum of 8 metres from a well.

Septic Fields (Disposal Fields)

Must not be located in a Nutrient Management Zone N4, a provincial park, Crown Land cottage subdivision or in sensitive areas unless otherwise approved in writing;
Must be registered and be of a design approved by an Environment Officer;
Must be installed by a certified installer;
Must be on a parcel of land of at least 2 acres in size;
Be in an approved location, setback a minimum of 30 metres from surface water, 15 meters from a well and 6 metres from a habitable building without a basement;
Not be located where the depth of the soil is less than 1 metre from the base of the field to the bedrock or high-water table;
Must not leak onto the ground surface; and
All components of the septic field system, including chambers, piping and tanks must be removed when the camp is decommissioned.

Work Camp Requirements

At the immediate access point to a work camp, a sign must be erected in a location that is easily visible to people accessing the camp with the company name and contact number identified. The size, design, and additional information displayed on the sign is at the discretion of the company.

To ensure the health and safety of workers, an individual or company responsible for the work camp must ensure that:

Appropriate first aid kits are readily available;
There is access to emergency communication;
All persons at a work camp are trained in safe working practices;
All pits, trenches and excavations are made safe; and
Any explosive are used and stored safely.

All work camp buildings must have appropriately sized chemical fire extinguishers.

Any proposed burning of paper, cardboard, wood products and food waste in a burning barrel at a work camp during the fire season must be approved under a Burning Permit issued by the Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources. See details in BMP 5 – Fire Prevention related to burning and required firefighting equipment.

Wastewater must be managed in accordance with the requirements set out by the Department of Environment and Climate.

Work Camp Operating Considerations

The operation of a work camp should:

Where possible, minimize surface disturbance and environmental impacts;
Not be conducted in a way that pollutes surface water or groundwater;
Adhere to storage and handling procedures for hazardous substances detailed in BMP 4 – Hazardous Substances, Waste and Dangerous Goods];
Be kept in a safe, neat, and sanitary condition with all waste disposed of at a licenced waste management facility;
Take preventative measures (e.g.: utilize access mats) to mitigate Rutting from vehicular traffic if wet conditions are present;
Collect and store solid waste (e.g.: garbage, litter, refuse) in covered, weatherproof, leak proof, fly/animal proof (e.g.: bear proof garbage can) containers until removed to an approved waste disposal facility;
Secure all potential attractants so as to prevent access to them by wildlife – refer to BMP 15 – Wildlife;
Dispose of all solid waste at an authorized waste disposal facility, unless otherwise directed;
Only burn wood, paper products and food wastes in a controlled and supervised manner if approved under a Burning Permit authorized by the Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources. The burning of materials such as plastic, used oil, etc. is not allowed, refer to BMP 5 – Fire Prevention;
Provide safety training related to potential encounters with local wildlife and reporting protocols, refer to BMP 15 – Wildlife.

Work Camp Decommissioning

A work camp should be decommissioned according to procedures and considerations outlined below and detailed in BMP 16 – Decommissioning.

When a work camp is being decommissioned:

All waste and large non-combustible objects, including discarded equipment and empty fuel containers, must be removed to an authorized waste disposal facility;
If applicable, a greywater pit must be covered over with earth;
If applicable, outhouses and pit privies must be filled in and covered over with earth;
If applicable, all structures/improvements must be removed from the site, including septic systems and holding tanks. An Out-of-Service Wastewater Management System Decommissioning Form must be submitted to the Department of Environment and Climate Change when a wastewater management system is taken out of service.
If applicable, all water wells must be capped and decommissioned on the authority of the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Contacts

Department of Labour and Immigration

Inspection and Technical Services Manitoba
204-945-3373
TechnicalServices@gov.mb.ca

Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources

Mining, Oil and Gas
204-945-1119
Toll free 1-800-223-5215
Mines_br@gov.mb.ca

Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources

Lands and Planning Branch
204-945-6784
Toll free 1-800-214-6497
List of Regional Office Contacts

Department of Environment and Climate Change

Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Branch
Winnipeg Office
204-945-5305
EnvCEWinnipeg@gov.mb.ca
For areas outside of Winnipeg, see Listing for Regional Office Contacts

Related Acts and Regulations 

M162 –  The Mines and Minerals Act
MR 63/92 – Drilling Regulation, 1992
C340 – The Crown Lands Act 
P20 – Provincial Parks Act
MR 141/96 Park Activities Regulation
F150 – The Forest Act 
W128 – The Wildfires Act 
W130 – The Wildlife Act
E125 – The Environment Act
W80 – The Water Rights Act
MR 188/2001 – Storage and Handling of Petroleum Products and Allied Products Regulation
MR 439/87 – Environmental Accident Reporting Regulation
M.R. 195/2015 – Hazardous Waste Regulation
MR 83/2003 – Onsite Wastewater Management Systems Regulation
MR 37/2016 – Waste Management Facilities Regulation
B93 – The Buildings Act