TSSA Investigation Leads to Fine for Safety Violations

Restaurant Owner fined $11,250

An investigation by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has resulted in fines for a Toronto restaurant owner who operated gas appliances the authority had deemed unsafe.

The Ontario Court of Justice has levied a fine of $9,000 against Mansoor Ismail, owner of Silver Spoon Catering, for violating safety regulations under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000.   Mr. Ismail was found guilty of turning on three separate gas appliances after they had been “red tagged” as unsafe for operation and was subsequently fined $3,000 per charge plus the mandatory 25% victim surcharge for a total penalty of $11,250.

“These are serious violations of Ontario’s public safety rules that put the public in real danger,” said John Marshall, Director of TSSA’s Fuels Safety Program. “Putting a fuel appliance into service when it has been red tagged could easily lead to disastrous conclusions, such as a deadly explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning.”

In Ontario, red tagged appliances are placed out of service and cannot operate until all safety violations have been corrected. Additionally, all technicians employed in the installation of fuel appliances must possess valid TSSA certification and ensure their operations comply with Ontario’s safety rules.

TSSA reminds the public that all gas appliance work must be performed by a TSSA-certified technician. If in doubt of a technician’s certification, contact TSSA toll-free at 1-877-682-8772.

About TSSA

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is one of Ontario’s public safety regulators 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.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Steve Robinson, 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.