Media Release - Record Fine for Gas Technician Guilty of Safety Violations
June 5, 2012
Record Fine for Gas Technician Guilty of Safety Violations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Lindsay, ON, June 5, 2012) – A gas technician from Lindsay, Ontario, was recently found guilty of installing, converting and supplying a gas appliance without holding the appropriate certification and registration, contrary to provincial requirements under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (the Act).
Following an investigation conducted by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), an inspector for TSSA’s Fuels Safety Program determined that, in September 2009, Jeff McIntyre removed an oil furnace tank, installed a natural gas furnace converted to propane, supplied propane for several months, then converted the furnace back to natural gas at a residence in Lindsay, Ontario. Not only did Mr. McIntyre not possess the appropriate gas technician certification to do such work, but he failed to register as a fuels contractor and failed to comply with previous orders to cease and desist illegal operation. The Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (the Act), Ontario Regulation 215/01 (Fuel Industry Certificates and Ontario Regulation 212/01 (Gaseous Fuels) prohibits a person from installing an appliance or thing that is employed in the handling or use of gas unless the installer is certified and registered for that purpose.
The Ontario Court of Justice in Lindsay fined the defendant $18,000, plus the 25% Victim Surcharge, given the circumstances of the case.
While there were no injuries as a result of this violation, Mr. McIntyre did perform work on a gas appliance without holding appropriate certification, without possessing contractor registration, failing to notify the fuel distributor (at the time of activation) and failing to comply with inspector safety orders, consequently undermining essential processes for public safety.
“Certified technicians are trained professionals and this guy was playing with fire,” says John Marshall, Director of TSSA’s Fuels Safety Program. “Failing to comply with certification and registration requirements is a serious offence and all technicians employed in the installation, repair or servicing of natural gas appliances in Ontario must possess valid certification, as per Ontario Regulation 215/01 and must be registered as a fuels contractor under the Act.”
TSSA reminds the public that any fuel-fired appliance should be installed, serviced and/or inspected by a TSSA-certified technician who is registered with TSSA to additionally conduct such work. If in doubt of a technician’s certification or registration, contact TSSA toll-free at 1-877-682-8772.
"Prosecution for non-compliance is an important tool of enforcement," adds Marshall. "However working with stakeholders toward compliance and cooperation, often in proactive partnership, is the cornerstone of fuels safety."
Full media release attached below.
