TSSA Investigation Prompts Contractor’s Guilty Plea for Safety Violations

Gio Contracting Fined $10K for Damaged Pipeline

A TSSA investigation into a 2017 pipeline strike and natural gas leak that caused the evacuation of 30 homes has led a Toronto contractor to plead guilty to violations under Ontario’s Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems Regulation (Ontario 210/01).

In September 2018, the Ontario Court of Justice found that Gio Contracting Ltd. had damaged the pipeline and caused the natural gas leak. The company pled guilty and, on December 12, 2018, was fined $10,000, plus the mandatory 25% victim fine surcharge, for a total of $12,500.

“Hitting a pipeline with pressurized gas is a significant risk to public safety,” said John Marshall, Director of TSSA’s Fuels Safety Program. “It can cause explosions, damage, injury and death. That’s why Ontario has stringent laws around pipeline safety, and why we are so passionate about working to enforce them.”

TSSA reminds the public that any excavation work must comply with Ontario’s safety laws, including obtaining a valid pipeline locate from the license holder or gas utility before breaking ground and not using mechanical equipment while digging within one metre of a pipeline. Free locates can be obtained from Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 or http://on1call.com.

Ontario Regulation 210/01 prohibits interfering with or damaging a pipeline and any damage and/or subsequent release of gas should be immediately reported to the Ministry of Environment’s Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060 or by contacting 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.

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