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TSSA Investigation leads to Guilty Plea in Brewery Case

Operating Engineer Convicted for Lapse in Duty

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Toronto, ON, January 10, 2019) – The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has successfully prosecuted the chief operating engineer of a brewery in Hamilton, Ontario, Mr. Mike Murphy.

The Ontario Court of Justice in Hamilton levied a fine of $4,500, plus the mandatory 25% victim surcharge, for Mr. Murphy’s violation of a safety regulation under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (the Act).

Following an investigation by TSSA, it was determined that Mr. Murphy left unattended for approximately eight hours the Arts and Science Brewery plant at 207 Burlington Street East in Hamilton. During that time, while the plant and its units were in operation, there was no qualified operating engineer or chief operator on duty.

“Had a mechanical issue occurred, such as a boiler interruption, a steam leak or a boiler failure, there would not have been a competent, certified person on duty to take any necessary action to mitigate the inherent hazards, such as an explosion or a fire”, said Mike Adams, Director of TSSA’s Boilers and Pressure Vessels and Operating Engineers Safety Program.

Murphy pled guilty to this contravention of the Act.

“This is a serious violation of a chief engineer’s public safety duties,” added Adams. “That’s why Ontario has stringent laws around safe plant operation and chief oversight protocols – to protect the public.”

In Ontario, operating engineers must possess valid TSSA certification and follow Ontario’s safety rules and regulations. If in doubt of an operator’s certification and/or duties, contact TSSA toll-free at 1-877-682-8772. Members of the public can also visit www.tssa.org and click Operating Engineers - Open Data to confirm an operator’s certification.

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.

 

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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.