TSSA will enforce the new requirement starting January 1, 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, Gas Technician 3 (G3) certificate holders who earned their certification through the challenge process must provide proof of 450 hours of G3 work experience before enrolling in a G2 program.

This new requirement seeks to ensure that candidates who obtained certification through a challenge process — specifically those who take an exam for a certificate without attending formal training — possess the necessary practical experience before pursuing higher G2 certification. 

Accredited training providers of the Gas Technician and Oil Burner Technician Certification Program are responsible for obtaining proof of work experience totalling 450 hours from holders of G3 certificates. An acceptable form of proof includes a letter from the employer on company letterhead, confirming the candidate’s G3 work experience.

Background

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers the Gas Technician and Oil Burner Technician Certification Program. Following consultation with accredited training providers, TSSA revised the Gas & Oil Burner Technician Policies & Procedures (section 6.5) in March 2025 to reflect this new requirement. 

TSSA deferred the enforcement of this requirement to January 1, 2026, to give accredited training providers of this certification program time to implement this new requirement in screening processes for candidates of the G2 program. 

TSSA is identifying ways to help accredited training providers determine whether a G3 certificate holder obtained their certificate through the challenge process.

To communicate this new requirement to potential candidates, TSSA will: 

• Post information on its website
• Indicate the new requirement on the G3 challenge application form on the TSSA Client Portal
• Remind G3 candidates of the new requirement during practical assessments
• Notify employers of G3 certificate holders through the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada

For details, please read the Gas & Oil Burner Technician Policies & Procedures.

Since the launch of the Heating Contractor Audit Program in 2023, TSSA has received inquiries about the requirement for heating contractors with more than three technicians to perform Field Validation (QA) to ensure that their work on heating fuel installations complies with regulations.  

To assist contractors in performing QAs for heating-fuel installation work, TSSA has developed a generic template that can be applied to most fuel types and appliances. This template represents the minimum standard for contractor field validations acceptable to TSSA Fuel Safety inspections. The template can be adapted to include more details or used in addition to a contractor’s own QA checklists.

The Field Validation (QA) template is not meant to replace any current documentation, such as appliance start-up or commissioning sheets.

Deadline Thursday, September 25, 2025

Notice: Parties having an interest and expertise in the Propane industry

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) actively solicits the advice and input of key stakeholders from the respective industries that it regulates through several industry specific advisory councils. The advisory councils are invited to work with TSSA in support of safety initiatives and general enhancements in service delivery within their respective industries.

The Propane Advisory Council was established to provide a forum through which TSSA can consult with industry relative to its safety strategies and receive valuable input and advice to help guide TSSA’s decision making and operations. This structure provides:
•a communication channel through which their safety concerns can be voiced.
•a means to support and advise TSSA with respect to continuous improvement of itsservices.
•a valuable resource through which to solicit industry input and advice; and
•a mechanism to facilitate communication back to industry at large.

The Propane Advisory Council is seeking the following nominations to represent this stakeholder group:
• Maintenance & Designers – Water Heating
• An owner/operator/distributor as a Bulk Cylinder Exchange Operator
• Transporter/Carrier

Visit the TSSA website to access information about the Propane Advisory Council, including the minutes of past meetings: If you are interested in nominating an individual as a Council Member, please submit his/her letter of interest or nomination together with the individual’s resume by 2025-09-25 to: 

Iuliana Afanase 
Stakeholder Outreach Advisor 
Technical Standards and Safety Authority 
345 Carlingview Drive Toronto, Ontario 
M9W 6N9 
Email: tssaadvisorycouncil@tssa.org 

Deadline Thursday, September 25, 2025

Notice: Parties having an interest and expertise in the Natural Gas industry

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) actively solicits the advice and input of key stakeholders from the respective industries that it regulates through several industry specific advisory councils. The advisory councils are invited to work with TSSA in support of safety initiatives and general enhancements in service delivery within their respective industries.

The Natural Gas Advisory Council was established to provide a forum through which TSSA can consult with industry relative to its safety strategies and receive valuable input and advice to help guide TSSA’s decision making and operations. This structure provides:
• a communication channel through which their safety concerns can be voiced.
• a means to support and advise TSSA with respect to continuous improvement of itsservices.
• a valuable resource through which to solicit industry input and advice; and
• a mechanism to facilitate communication back to industry at large.

The Natural Gas Advisory Council is seeking the following nominations to represent this stakeholder group:
• Manufacturers & Designers – Water Heating
• A Standards Development Organization or Certification Bodies
• Manufacturers & Designers – Boilers

Visit the TSSA website to access information about the Natural Gas Advisory Council, including the minutes of past meetings.

If you are interested in nominating an individual as a Council Member, please submit his/her letter of interest or nomination together with the individual’s resume by 2025-09-25 to:

Iuliana Afanase 
Stakeholder Outreach Advisor 
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
345 Carlingview Drive Toronto, Ontario 
M9W 6N9 
Email: tssaadvisorycouncil@tssa.org

Toronto, ON, May 15, 2025 – No matter what’s in store this May ‘2-4’ - whether you’re opening the cottage, sparking up the grill, pitching a tent, tuning up your RVs or trailers or simply gearing up to enjoy the great outdoors – your safety partners at the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) and Ontario Poison Centre (OPC) want you to keep these safety tips in mind so you can make the most of your days as summer unofficially gets underway.

Carbon Monoxide Safety

A highly poisonous and deadly gas, Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a by-product of incomplete combustion of carbon-containing (or carbon-based) fuels such as natural gas, propane, oil, wood, charcoal and more. And while some of us may tend to think that this is a winter concern, CO knows no seasonal boundaries. 

Commonly known as the ‘silent killer’ this poisonous, gas can go undetected as you can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. 

CO can make its way into popular summertime activities such as cottaging, camping, BBQing, RVing or boating. No matter what’s in store this May ‘2-4’ - CO should have no place in your summer space.

Take Action. Think Safe. 

• have all fuel-burning appliances inspected through the services of a TSSA-registered contractor
• install, certified, working CO alarms
• never use indoors, nor in enclosed spaces, any fuel-burning equipment that is specifically designed and approved for outdoor use only such as generators, portable heaters, BBQs and camping stoves
• keep external exhaust vents – whether at the cottage or your trailer or RV – free of debris or blockages
• know the sources; know the symptoms of CO poisoning
• if you suspect CO poisoning, get outdoors immediately and call 911

“No matter the season, any one CO incident is always one too many. Keep in mind that while seasons change, the risks of CO exposure don’t,” says Owen Kennedy, Director of TSSA’s Fuels Safety Program. “Even though fuel-burning appliances may be safely designed, they can emit deadly levels of CO gas if not properly installed, inspected and maintained regularly. Know the sources. Know the symptoms. Know the steps to keep yourselves, family, friends and loved ones – pets included – safe this summer,” stresses Kennedy.

For additional CO Safety information visit cosafety.ca

Other Poison Prevention

Whether indoors or out, don’t let other potential poisoning hazards, such as snake bites, poisonous plants, chemicals, or medications that may be in your environment, dampen your spirits on these summer days. 

Storage

Keep harmful products and medications “locked up tight and out of sight” in a cupboard or container. There are a variety of safety latches that can be purchased to lock a cupboard or cabinet. Find them in the child safety section of local stores. You should choose one that works for your family. For more details, check out the Poison Storage Checklist.

Snake Bites

Be prepared when hiking or visiting an area where rattlesnakes live. Have an emergency plan. Know how to contact the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the area and know how to get to the closest hospital.

• if you hear a rattle, move away from the sound of the snake. Do not try to touch it.
• if bitten by a snake, remain calm.
• if you experience a snake bite, call 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) or immediately call 911

Plant and Mushroom Safey

Plants, berries and mushrooms are attractive to many and particularly young children who like to put things in their mouths. Make sure you know the names of plants that grow inside and outside of your home. If your child eats a plant, berry, seed, bulb, or wild mushroom that you aren’t sure about or think may be poisonous, call OPC at 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) (Toll-free) or 416-813-5900 or 911 immediately.

• do not assume that a plant is safe for people just because birds or wildlife eat it
• do not suck nectar from flowers or make tea from flowers or leaves
• cactus plants can cause skin to be irritated and should be kept away from children
• poisonous and non-poisonous mushrooms may grow side by side
• it can be dangerous to eat a mushroom that you have found outdoors
• cooking outdoor mushrooms does NOT make them safe to eat

For more information on mushroom foraging safety, check out this infographic and video 

Pesticides:

As the season may call for people to use weed killers, pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers or other lawn or garden products, don’t ever leave these chemicals unattended, particularly if children may be around. 

• follow all instructions on the label carefully
• wear protective equipment
• store pesticides in a locked box or cabinet

“As families head outdoors this May long weekend, it’s important to remember that poison hazards don’t take a vacation. From plants and pesticides to bites and medications, prevention starts with awareness” – Dr. Connie Mackenzie, Assistant Medical Director, Ontario Poison Centre. 

For additional poison prevention information visit ontariopoisoncentre.ca

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, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety. 

About OPC
The Ontario Poison Centre (OPC) is a telephone toxicology consultation service that provides expert poison advice 24 hours a day to the public, emergency service personnel and health-care professionals across the province. The OPC participates in the ongoing care of the poisoned patient by following the clinical course of hospitalization, assessing the effectiveness of treatment recommendations and providing additional treatment recommendations. Our toxicology experts will collaborate with other health-care professionals to advocate for optimal, current and evidence-based care of the poisoned patient. The OPC is operated and supported by The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto.  The OPC also operates a bilingual satellite site in Ottawa in collaboration with Montfort Hospital.

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For more information, please contact:

TSSA: 

Alexandra Campbell 

Vice President, Communications, Stakeholder Engagement 
and Customer Service

Technical Standards and Safety Authority

Telephone: 416-734-6227

Email: media@tssa.org

For more information on TSSA visit www.tssa.org

 

OPC:

Sarah Warr

Team Lead, Communications & Public Affairs 

The Hospital for Sick Children

Email: Media.line@sickids.ca 

For more information on OPC visit www.ontariopoisoncentre.ca

As an Outcome-Based Regulator, Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is committed to continuously improving safety outcomes across Ontario. TSSA has identified an opportunity to strengthen the safe operation of Ontario’s biogas facilities by introducing regular audits aligned with both Gaseous Fuels Regulation, O. Reg. 212/01 and with other sectors under TSSA’s oversight. 

Starting in April 2025, TSSA will launch the Biogas Facility Audit Program, which applies to all biogas facilities in Ontario—commonly referred to as digester, landfill, and biogas (DLB) facilities. This program aims to support improved compliance and ensure ongoing safety in the sector. 

These audits will roll out in phases over the next three years. TSSA will contact each biogas facility owner directly to schedule their first audit and offer necessary assistance throughout the preparation and audit process. Facilities can anticipate an audit approximately every three years. This audit program is expected to eventually transition to a risk-based model, where high-risk biogas facilities would be audited more frequently than lower risk facilities. TSSA’s inspection rate will be charged for the audits and follow-ups, if one is required. For more information, please read TSSA’s fee schedule. 

Audit Parameters 

TSSA will continue to conduct initial engineering review and registration of biogas entities to ensure code compliance at the design and construction stage. The new audit program will establish a regular review cycle for code and regulatory compliance from an operational and maintenance perspective, ensuring that audited facilities continue to meet safety and compliance standards and address any emerging risks. Through the audit, facility owners can take greater ownership of compliance by demonstrating that their processes and records meet regulatory requirements. 

The audit program will focus on the five primary requirements under the Gaseous Fuels Regulation, O. Reg. 212/01 that are defined as the facility owner’s responsibilities. These responsibilities fit into the following five categories: 

1. Site compliance with respect to fuel storage and fuel burning equipment associated to it 

2. Employees’ certification and compliance 

3. Incident reporting, identification and action 

4. Identification and action of non-compliances (unacceptable conditions)

5. Compliance to documented Operating and Maintenance Procedures submitted during initial registration

Owners will be required to address all non-compliances found during the audit and TSSA will do a follow up inspection to ensure any outstanding high-risk safety issues are resolved. 

Please refer to the Audit Checklist below for further detail. Explore more information at Biogas Facility Audit Program. For enquiries, please contact TSSA at Tel: 1-877-682-8772 or email: customerservices@tssa.org. 

Register for Webinar 

Join us for a webinar, through Waste to Resource Ontario's Webinar Series, on Monday, April 28, 2025 at 1 pm for an overview of the new program and an opportunity to ask questions. Please register using this link: Waste to Resource Ontario | W2RO Webinar Series: TSSA Biogas Audit Program Webinar