Update on the implementation of TSSA's Fuel Oil Distributor Audit Program

A message from John Marshall, Statutory Director – Fuels Safety Program, TSSA
 
I would like to provide an update on TSSA’s implementation of a fuel oil distributor audit program which was due to commence on April 1, 2020 but as the COVID-19 pandemic arose, I chose to delay the introduction of this program. At that time, TSSA revised our contractor audit program so that TSSA inspectors were allowed to conduct audits remotely. The contractor audit and fuel oil distributor audit programs are very similar and with the learnings from the contractor audit program, I am now confident that we can implement the new fuel oil distributor program smoothly and in a safe manner. Thus, TSSA will introduce the fuel oil distributor audit program on November 1, 2020.
 
This program has been vetted by industry and focusses on six distributor regulatory responsibilities. The audit parameters are outlined in the FS Advisory entitled “Introduction of TSSA’s Fuel Oil Distributor Audit Program”. Our inspectors will be conducting virtual audits, typically via Skype or telephone, whereby they explain the six requirements outlined in the advisory. This is an interactive process between distributors and TSSA where distributors explain their operations and TSSA explains the regulatory requirements, with the focus of the discussion being on education and compliance. TSSA will also go over the distributor’s inspection history. No orders will be issued at this time.
 
Under the circumstances described above, this new audit program is a good example of how inspections/audits can be conducted in compliance with Ontario’s directive while being low risk to the public, distributors and inspectors.