Skip to main content Skip to footer

Trenton Power Plant Operator Fined For Misrepresenting Certificate

Court levies $15000 fine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Toronto, ON, June 23, 2017) – The Ontario Court of Justice convicted Mohsen Barakat, a Trenton power plant operator for performing work without a valid certificate, contrary to the Operating Engineers Regulation (Ontario 219/01).

Mr. Barakat was fined $15,000, plus the mandatory 25% victim surcharge, for a total penalty of $17,500, for violating safety regulations under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (the Act), by the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville.

Following an investigation by TSSA, it was determined that Mohsen Barakat worked at an operating plant in Trenton, Ontario without holding the required certificate as a first class operating engineer. Mr. Barakat had previously held certification as a second class operating engineer; however, the certificate was revoked in 2009 for misrepresenting himself as first class engineer.

Mr. Barakat pled guilty to performing work without a valid certificate. The court also stipulated two years’ probation for the offense.

“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 Safety Program. “Mr. Barakat flouted critical safety rules, put himself, his colleagues and the public at needless risk, and sullied the good name of power engineers.”

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.

legal hammer