Acronym
Fuels
Toronto, ON, September 16, 2026 – Ferreira & Sons Construction pleaded guilty to two safety violations under Ontario’s Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000. The charges relate to two incidents in Toronto where workers struck gas pipelines. The Ontario Court of Justice fined the contractor $20,000, plus a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge.
In May 2025, Carlos Ferreira, an employee of Ferreira & Sons Construction, was excavating in the walkway between his home and a neighbouring property. While shoring up the dirt using a piece of wood, he struck an underground gas pipeline. He then repaired the pipeline himself and removed the gas meter. Mr. Ferreira was not authorized to perform work on gas appliances or pipelines.
In another incident in July 2025, an employee of Ferreira & Sons Construction struck an underground gas pipeline while performing landscaping work with an excavator at a different Toronto property. The excavation was conducted without the required locate, a map identifying the location of underground pipelines. Ferreira & Sons Construction failed to take all reasonable precautions to ensure its employees complied with safety requirements.
Between 2016 and 2023, TSSA issued several orders to Ferreira & Sons Construction in relation to underground pipeline strikes. Five of those incidents occurred when required locates were not present at the worksites. In two incidents, gas meters were removed from gas pipelines.
“Before any excavation begins, contractors need to know what is underground and take the necessary steps to protect that infrastructure,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of Fuels Safety at Technical Standards and Safety Authority. “Striking an underground gas pipeline can cause serious injury, property damage and disruption to the natural gas supply. Obtaining a locate and using it as a guide while digging is an important safety measure.”
Contractors and property owners who are planning to excavate must obtain the required locates before digging and follow all applicable safety requirements. For more information about obtaining locates, contact Ontario One Call.
About TSSA
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority 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.
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For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
416-734-2728
Toronto, ON, July 21, 2026 — Uncertified fuels worker Robert Spearing has been sentenced by the Ontario Court of Justice to 60 days imprisonment and a $60,000 fine, plus a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge, after being found guilty of multiple offences related to performing gas appliance work while uncertified and operating as an unregistered fuels contractor.
Spearing was previously convicted of these offences after his illegal work created immediate safety risks in two homes in Hamilton, Ontario. This is the third prosecution he has faced for similar offences. He has not held valid gas technician certification since 1996.
“Individuals who perform fuels work without proper certification and registration put homeowners at risk,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of Fuel Safety at TSSA. “This case demonstrates that TSSA will continue to take enforcement action against those who perform unauthorized work and compromise public safety.”
Under Ontario law, gas appliance work must be performed by TSSA-certified technicians working for registered fuels contractors. Homeowners are encouraged to verify contractors through Authorized Heating Fuel Contractors Lookup Tool and report suspected illegal fuels work to TSSA.
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.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org
The Liquid Fuels Handling Code (LFHC) Technical Working Group (TWG) made three amendments to Appendix I of LFHC on retail mobile fueling. Please click to read the updated Appendix I – Retail Mobile Fueling Requirements.
The amendments are as follows:
Item 1
Existing Clause: I.3.1 Twenty heavyweight spill pads (hydrophobic 45cm x 60cm)
Amended Clause: I.3.1 Twenty heavyweight spill pads (hydrophobic, 38cm x 45cm)
Rationale for Change: The size listed is not a common size and therefore it is difficult to source in the marketplace.
Item 2
Existing Clause: I.4 Nozzles used for dispensing shall be no greater than 25.4mm (1in) in diameter and shall be of the automatic shut-off design. The fuel delivery driver shall be in attendance (within arms-reach) of the nozzle during fuel transfer.
Additional Clause:
I.5 Notwithstanding Clause I.4, the dispensing of Class II fuel may be permitted using a non-auto shut-off nozzles with a spout greater than 25.4mm (1in) in diameter where:
(a) The fuel level in the tank is visible during the fueling operation at the filling point when the fuel nozzle is inserted into the fill opening; and
(b) The fuel delivery driver, or in the case of a watercraft, the person located at the fueling position, shall maintain a constant line of sight of the level of the fuel in the fuel tank during the fueling operation to prevent a spill.
Rationale:
It has become evident that the requirements listed in Appendix I – Retail Mobile Fueling, will place a burden on fuel distributors that currently perform mobile fueling to large commercial vehicles and watercraft using highway tanks that do not have a dedicated low pressure delivery hose used to conduct mobile fueling to small vehicles, watercraft and equipment. In most cases these existing delivery vehicles cannot be retrofitted to accommodate a third reel, piping configuration or controls to accomplish this. In addition, for trucks that can accept a third reel, the cost is excessive. This will effectively prevent any fuel distributor from continuing to use their existing delivery vehicles for the purpose of retail mobile fueling to these types of vehicles and watercraft, an activity that they have been doing safely for years with their highway tanks. Requiring an auto shut-off nozzle with a 25.4 mm (1in) spout to be used in this application will not increase dispensing safety or reduce the risk to the environment. In fact, it could have the opposite effect by creating unsafe conditions by using a device that may not function properly under this level of pressure.
Item 3
Under I.13 include an extra provision to allow fueling within 30 m of a stream, river, lake, canal or natural watercourse when fueling watercraft:
I.13 (a) Fuel may be dispensed within 30 m of a stream, river, lake, canal, or natural watercourse
Rationale: Need this provision to fuel watercraft
This communication was sent to Liquid Fuels Handling Code Working Group, liquid fuels tanker trucks, liquid fuel facilities and Fuel web subscribers.
Hamilton resident, facing third prosecution, was found guilty of multiple violations after unsafe work created immediate risks for homeowners
Robert Spearing has been found guilty of multiple counts of working on gas appliances while being uncertified and acting as a contractor when not registered.
Spearing was convicted on multiple counts. In two cases, the work was left with such immediate hazards that the local gas utility had to be called to shut off the gas supply to protect the residents.
This is the third prosecution that Robert Spearing has faced for similar reasons. He has not held a valid certification to perform fuels work for households since 1996. Sentencing is scheduled for July 17, 2026.
“Contractors without a valid certification or registration with TSSA are operating illegally,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of the Fuel Safety at TSSA. “None of their work, equipment or qualifications are audited or verified by TSSA. Hiring these fuels scammers can lead to serious risks, including carbon monoxide poisoning and other harmful consequences.”
Under Ontario law, maintenance of furnaces and fuel-fired appliances must be performed by TSSA-registered contractors. All registered contractors are required to hire TSSA-certified gas technicians who have extensive training and are qualified to perform fuels work safely.
Before hiring a contractor for fuel-related work, members of the public are encouraged to search for and verify registered contractors using TSSA’s online Authorized Heating Fuel Contractors Lookup Tool.
When approached by fraudulent fuels workers, consumers should report them to TSSA. TSSA is committed to investigating these reports and taking legal action when necessary. Reporting illegal workers can help save others from fuels scams.
About TSSA
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority 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.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org
TSSA is using the Client Portal to share important, sector‑specific safety information with liquid fuel licence holders who renew their licences online.
Beginning June 1, 2026, operators renewing liquid fuel facility licences through the Client Portal will see a safety message pop‑up. They can choose to read the message immediately or later via email before completing the renewal process.
The Client Portal provides a timely opportunity for TSSA to share critical safety information with liquid fuel facilities to help prevent incidents and support safer operations. We encourage licence holders to read the message and share it with their safety teams.
Operators also have the option to email the safety message to colleagues or individuals responsible for safety, helping to reinforce compliance obligations across their organization.
The safety message will appear only once per account, even if multiple facilities are associated with the same account.
This news was shared with Fuels web subscribers and liquid fuel authorization holders who renew their licences online.
Toronto, ON, May 25, 2026 – Repeat offender Mark Van Watteghem has been sentenced to 15 days in jail and fined $10,000 plus a victim surcharge by the Ontario Court of Justice after being found guilty of fuel safety violations under the Technical Standards and Safety Act.
Mr. Van Watteghem was convicted for the third time after removing a gas furnace and installing a replacement unit at a home in Windsor, Ontario. He was found performing this work without valid authorization by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). The fuel technician was previously convicted in 2016 and 2019 for unsafe fuel work and for performing fuel work as an unregistered contractor, receiving fines totalling $25,000 plus the victim surcharge.
“Mark Van Watteghem’s fuel work was deceitful and placed the lives of those who trusted him at serious risk,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of Fuels Safety at TSSA. “He has not been a registered contractor for 11 years and has been without a valid certificate for nine years. During that time, his work exposed customers to potentially fatal dangers, including carbon monoxide poisoning. TSSA supports the court’s decision to impose a stronger penalty in response to his repeated and fraudulent conduct.”
In Ontario, only fuel contractors registered with TSSA and individuals holding a valid gas technician certificate are legally permitted to work on fuel‑fired appliances. Before commissioning any fuel work, members of the public are encouraged to search for and verify registered contractors using TSSA’s online Authorized Heating Fuel Contractors Lookup Tool.
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.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org
TORONTO, ON, April 21, 2026 - Spring showers may bring flowers but torrential downpours, milder temperatures and the thawing of some mass accumulations of snow across parts of Ontario could bring serious flooding threats and consequences. As the risks of seasonal flooding increase, so do the potential hazards related to fuel-burning equipment and elevators. Additionally, disruptions to major energy systems during floods may prompt people to use unsafe power generation alternatives. The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is reminding Ontarians to avoid taking unsafe actions, ‘fixes or alternatives.
Reduce the risks and potential of harm.
- Never use any fuel-burning appliances indoors that are specifically designed and approved for outdoor use only such as portable, fuel-fired generators, BBQs etc., as they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, and other dangers.
- Keep outdoor generators away from open windows, doors, and vents to prevent carbon monoxide from infiltrating living spaces.
- Avoid using portable fuel-burning devices like generators and propane BBQs in enclosed areas such as garages or covered patios, as this can lead to carbon monoxide buildup.
- Exercise caution when using commercial ventilating fans to dry out a basement, as this could create negative pressure, allowing carbon monoxide from household appliances to re-enter the home. Ensure proper ventilation during this process.
- Never use elevators in a flooded building as water can accumulate in elevator shafts or adversely affect an elevator's operation leading to entrapment or injury.
If you're unsure about the safety of a specific TSSA-regulated equipment or device during floods, contact TSSA for more information.
Quotes
“CO is a leading cause of accidental poisonings in Ontario. That’s why it’s so important that residents do not compound a hazardous situation, such as a flood, by exposing themselves, families, friends and pets to potential CO risks. It’s critical that any fuel-burning appliances designed for outdoor use only, such as portable fuel generators or BBQs, remain just there – outside – to avoid the potential or CO poisoning, fires or other hazards.” Owen Kennedy, Director, Fuels Safety Program, TSSA
“In buildings impacted by flooding, the elevators can potentially be compromised. Water can accumulate in elevator shafts or adversely affect an elevator’s operation, creating a dangerous situation for passengers including entrapment or injury. It’s important to never use elevators in a flooded building or where there is any indication that water has leaked onto elevator components.” AJ Kadirgamar, Director, Elevating and Amusement Devices Safety Program, TSSA
About TSSA
Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services includes public education, authorization, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, compliance support, enforcement, and prosecution activities.
For more information or to arrange media availability, please contact:
TSSA
Ammara Khan
Director, Communications
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-2728
Email: media@tssa.org
Thank you for attending the webinar on submitting fuel engineering applications through the TSSA Client Portal on April 13, 2026.
We are pleased to share a recording of the webinar for engineering firms and contractors who submit fuel engineering applications on behalf of owners. The webinar showed attendees how to navigate key features of the Client Portal, submit engineering applications, and link third‑party submitter accounts to client accounts.
A recording of the webinar is now available. Click here to view the recording.
This news was shared with Fuels web subscribers and Fuels clients who have submitted engineering applications to TSSA as a third party in the last 12 months.