Operating Engineer Caught with a Forged Certificate

TSSA Cracks Down on Fraud and Safety Violation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Burlington, ON, March 26, 2014) – The Technical Standard and Safety Authority (TSSA) has successfully prosecuted an unauthorized power engineer, Jeff Bennett, operating in Burlington Ontario. 

The Ontario Court of Justice in Burlington levied a fine of $4,000, plus the mandatory 25% victim surcharge, for violating safety regulations under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (the Act).

Following an investigation by TSSA, it was determined that Jeff Bennett worked at an R12 refrigeration plant in Burlington without holding a certificate as a Refrigeration Operator B Class or a Fourth Class Operating Engineer. Bennett had misled both management and the Chief Operator, pretending to have completed his exams and passing off a forged certificate, purporting to be a Refrigerator Operator Class B.

By knowingly providing, using and displaying a false certificate of qualification, Bennett pled guilty to this dangerous contravention of the Act.

“This is a serious violation of Ontario’s public safety rules,” said Mike Adams, Director of TSSA’s Boilers and Pressure Vessels, and Operating Engineers, “flouting critical conditions for a safe plant and the good name of power engineers. That’s why Ontario has stringent laws around training and certification – to essentially protect the public.”

In Ontario, operating engineers must possess valid TSSA certification, which ensures all operators are properly trained and familiar with Ontario’s safety rules. If in doubt of an operator’s certification, contact TSSA toll-free at 1-877-682-8772.

About TSSA

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is Ontario’s public safety regulator mandated by the Government of Ontario to enforce provincial safety regulations and enhance public safety. Throughout Ontario, TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, ski lifts, and upholstered and stuffed articles. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety.

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For more information, please contact:

Wilson Lee, Spokesperson

Technical Standards and Safety Authority

Telephone: 1-877-682-8772; Email: media@tssa.org

For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org.