The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has published the Compressed Gas Code Adoption Document (CAD) and the associated Consultation Summary after reviewing feedback from the consultation that closed on June 7, 2024.
We thank stakeholders for their input on the Compressed Gas CAD.
Please read the latest Compressed Gas CAD and the Consultation Summary.
Check out the latest updates in the May/June 2024 issue of the Safety Dispatch e-newsletter, your source of safety news and initiatives across TSSA’s regulated sectors. Keep your fingers on the pulse of safety developments.
Highlights of this issue include:
- Save the Date: TSSA's Annual Public Meeting & Safety Awards Presentation
- New Client Portal Transforms Customer Experience
- Elevator Contractor Fined $300,000 For Safety Violation During Elevator Installation
- Report Elevators Out of Service for More than 48 Hours
- Ride Smart This Summer with These Safety Tips
- Presentation Slides for Inflatable Industry Training
- Seeking Feedback on Oil & Gas Pipeline Systems Code Adoption Document 2024
- TSSA Presented at HRAI Chapter
- Have Your Annual Inspection Report Ready for Periodic Inspections
- “Light it Right: Light it Up…” BBQ Safety Campaign
- Webinar on Submitting Boilers & Pressure Vessels Engineering Applications
- Verification of the Operating Status of Unverified BPVs Underway
- Report Regulated Boilers & Pressure Vessels Used for Agricultural Purposes
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has launched a new Client Portal to consolidate its online services into a user-friendly interface, streamlining processes and enhancing accessibility.
The TSSA Client Portal, launched on April 29, 2024, offers online submission of TSSA’s highest-volume applications with the ability to submit supplementary documentation where required. The Client Portal is also an online gateway to a suite of self-serve capabilities, empowering regulated clients to conduct various transactions, manage their accounts and pay invoices.
1. Design Registration Applications
The following online BPV (non-nuclear) applications are available on the TSSA Client Portal:
- Apply for BPV Design Registration
- Request for BPV Variance
Please see the table below for the types of BPV applications and the respective channels to which they should be submitted:
2. Unique Email Address for Each User
To get started with the TSSA Client Portal, all customers are required to sign up as new users.
- Existing clients must link to their existing TSSA account (Existing users should not create a new account).
- New clients need to create a new account.
Organizations are reminded that unique email addresses are required for each user – access to the Portal is not permitted for users sharing a single email address.
3. Submitting Applications On Behalf of Others
Before submitting a CRN application on behalf of the design owner, you must list the design owner as your client to ensure the registration letter is issued to the design owner by linking your organization's TSSA Client portal account to your client’s TSSA Portal account by clicking “LINK TO ACCOUNT”. To successfully link the accounts, you need to:
- Obtain your client’s TSSA customer number by asking your client for their TSSA account or customer number (available on a recent invoice); or call TSSA’s Customer Contact Centre at 1-877-682-8772. Our agents will provide you with the customer number after validating your credentials.
- Ask your client to sign the Consent To Grant Third Party Access form that will allow you to transact on their behalf.
This is a one-time effort that must be completed for each and every one of your clients.
If your client has never transacted with TSSA before, they will not have a TSSA account or customer number. To submit applications on their behalf, you need to create a TSSA Portal account for them by clicking “CREATE ACCOUNT” in the TSSA Client Portal and linking your client’s newly created Portal account to your Portal profile.
Improper linking to your account and that of your client, or attempting to submit through the Service Prepayment Portal will result in the cancellation of your application and your prepayment refunded. You will need to resubmit the application which will delay the processing time.
Please see the following resources for help:
1. How to Link Existing Accounts:
- How to Link an Existing Organization Account
- How to Link an Existing Individual Account – Personal Certificate Holders
- How to Link a Third-Party Submitter
- How to Link Third-Party Property Management Company
2. How to Create an Account:
- Create an Organization Account
- Create an Individual Account – Personal Certificate Holders
- Create a Third Party Account
3. Instructions on BPV Design Registration application:
- BPV Design Registration Submissions
4. FAQs on the TSSA Client Portal
For further assistance, please email customerservices@tssa.org or call the Customer Contact Centre at 1-877-682-8772.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is ushering in a new era of convenience and efficiency for its regulated clients with the official launch of the TSSA Client Portal. The innovative platform, unveiled today, consolidates TSSA’s online services into a user-friendly interface, streamlining processes and enhancing accessibility.
The TSSA Client Portal provides access to the highest-volume applications and offers a suite of self-serve capabilities empowering regulated clients to conduct a range of online transactions directly and update their business information as needed.
“At TSSA, we are committed to leveraging technology to provide our regulated clients with convenient and efficient solutions,” says TSSA President and CEO Bonnie Rose. “The launch of the Client Portal represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to modernize our systems and make it easier for our clients to do business with us so that they can focus on what matters most – managing safety.”
Key features of the Client Portal include automated functions that remove manual processing where possible to speed up servicing time and improve overall efficiency. Additionally, Client-portal applications provide clearer instructions on the information that TSSA requires to provide the service, which ensures a more seamless experience from start to finish. Watch the video about the Client Portal.
Portal Functionalities
Regulated clients can use the TSSA Client Portal to do the following:
- Create and update accounts
- Submit an exam request
- View exam results
- View issued orders
- Submit and pay for applications
- View inspection reports and permits, licences or certificates
- Pay a TSSA invoice (account setup not required)
Furthermore, the Client Portal offers direct access to the online submission of TSSA’s highest-volume applications with the ability to submit supplementary documentation where required.
To get started with the TSSA Client Portal, all customers are required to sign up as new users.
- Existing clients must link to their existing TSSA account (Existing users should not create a new account).
- New clients need to create a new account.
Step-by-step instructions can be found on the Training web page. Additionally, organizations are reminded that unique email addresses are required for each user – access to the Portal is not permitted for users sharing a single email address.
For assistance or inquiries regarding the Client Portal, customers can contact TSSA’s Customer Contact Centre at 1-877-682-8772 or refer to the self-help resources on TSSA’s website.
Single sign-on provides ease of access to BPV COI Owners or Insurers Portals and the TSSA Client Portal
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is launching the new TSSA Client Portal later this month which will make it easier for regulated industry customers to perform online transactions. The Boilers & Pressure Vessels Certificate of Inspection (BPV COI) Portals for Owners and Insurers will be connected to the new TSSA Client Portal.
This means that BPV COI customers will be able to access the BPV COI Portals for Owners or Insurers via the Client Portal with a single sign-on instead of having separate passwords for each portal.
To enable access, starting on April 8, 2024, existing users of the BPV COI Portals for Owners and Insurers will need to sign up as a new TSSA Client Portal contact to access the BPV COI Portals. This is a necessary step to introduce an enhanced and secure login process that will require multi-factor authentication.
There are no other changes to the BPV COI Owner and Insurer Portals.
See step-by-step instructions on how to sign into the BPV COI Portals.
For further assistance, please send an email to customerservices@tssa.org or call the Customer Contact Centre at 1-877-682-8772.
About TSSA
Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) enforces 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, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support, enforcement and prosecution activities.
Check out the latest updates in the March/April 2024 issue of the Safety Dispatch e-newsletter, your source of safety news and initiatives across TSSA’s regulated sectors. Keep your fingers on the pulse of safety developments.
Highlights of this issue include:
- Nominations Open for TSSA's 2024 Safety Awards
- TSSA Garners Safety Excellence Recognition for Third Straight Year
- Unveiling Soon…The New TSSA Client Portal
- Mark Your Calendar: Virtual Training for the Inflatable Industry
- Prevent Elevator Doors from Closing on Passengers
- 60-Day Public Review of CSA B149.1:25 Natural Gas & Propane Installation Draft Code
-Seeking Your Feedback: Compressed Gas Code Adoption Document (CAD) 2024
- Fraud Prevention Month: Combatting Trunk Slammers
- Report Regulated Boilers & Pressure Vessels Used for Agricultural Purposes
TSSA is seeking your feedback on two proposed fees: Authorization Late Payment Fee and Inspection Cancellation Fee.
TSSA’s fee structure does not currently include an authorization late payment or inspection cancellation fee. The introduction of these fees will encourage customer compliance, improve safety, efficiency and expediency in delivery of customer-initiated inspection services.
The opportunity to provide feedback will be open until Tuesday May 21, 2024.
TSSA will review and consider stakeholder feedback, and follow-up with respondents on the outcome of the consultation.
TSSA appreciates your time and attention in providing your input.
The consultation is now closed.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), in partnership with the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO), held the 22nd annual TSSA Amusement Ride Safety Training from April 2 to 5, 2024.
More than 160 registrants received 16 hours of continuing education credits from NAARSO by attending the three-day forum, which was held in Oshawa, Ontario this year.
In-class and practical sessions covered a gamut of topics that included ride inspection and audit, rider accessibility, ride evacuation, maintenance records, standards and regulatory updates, welding best practices, electrical requirements, grounding and bonding, and more.
Regional Supervisor for Elevating and Amusement Devices (EDAD) Sonny Silva and EDAD Engineer Joelle Javier were the event organizers behind this successful training event. Silva and Javier also gave an update on TSSA regulations and standards.
Presenters included ride manufacturers, engineers, ride mechanics, theme park operations professionals and other regulators.
Other notable speakers included Alan Black, principal of adbForensics, Inc. Black delivered a keynote, “Bringing Aviation Insights to Amusement Rides” and shared his safety insights gained from a career in aerospace and 18 years as a Principal Engineer and Director for Walt Disney working on the advanced design of rides, show and stunt equipment for theme parks and resorts worldwide.
Dr. Kathryn Woodcock, a Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University in the School of Occupational and Public Health, delivered an insightful session on accessibility and inclusive design in amusement rides from an accessibility rider’s point of view. Her area of expertise covers amusement rides and attractions, human-error and accident analysis, and safety inspection.
Dr. Woodcock underscored the importance of analyzing and documenting the rationale behind ride restrictions in ride manuals and operations and balancing safety, accessibility and inclusion to ensure that safety rules protect riders and do not exclude people with disabilities.
Other speakers at the training event included NAARSO’s John Riggleman who presented on rider eligibility and screening, and two speakers from Electrical Safety Authority — Gord Kelly and Keith Bartlett — who talked about the electrical process and industry practice.
TSSA’s Engineering Technologist Patrick McDermott’s presentation entitled "Electrical Schematics, Common Control Issues, Examples of Circuits” pointed to the importance of having good electrical schematics that would inform what to review and how the ride or device works.
The training event wrapped up with NAARSO level I and II exams on April 4, 2024.
“Providing the platform for amusement-ride professionals to receive 16 hours of continuing education credits from NAARSO is an important safety initiative to ensure that attendees have the updated expertise to operate safely in their jobs,” said AJ Kadirgamar, TSSA’s Director of Elevating and Amusement Devices and Ski Lifts Safety Program.
 In-class and practical sessions covered a gamut of safety topics over the three-day training. |
Did you know that 65% of fuels-related incidents in Ontario are attributed to issues such as substandard installation of fuel-burning appliances and poor maintenance practices?
Safety is a right, not a compromise. As we mark World Consumer Rights Day, TSSA wants to remind Ontarians about what you can do to protect yourself and loved ones from fraudulent fuels workers, otherwise known as “trunk slammers.”
In Ontario, furnaces and fuel-fired appliances must be installed and serviced by TSSA-registered contractors who employ certified and trained gas technicians. Without proper certifications and registrations, identifying and rectifying issues caused by trunk slammers can be challenging. Moreover, their work is not audited for safety compliance, potentially exposing consumers to severe consequences, such as carbon monoxide poisoning.
Spotting the Signs of Trunk Slammers
When seeking a contractor for fuels work, watch out for these red flags:
- Ontario prohibits the sale of furnaces and water heaters by door-to-door salespeople unless the homeowner has requested this or there is already a contract in place. Exercise caution when approached in this manner.
- Be cautious of businesses offering rebates and incentives supposedly approved by the government or utility companies. These may be baiting tactics. Always verify such offers directly from the source to avoid scams.
- Legitimate contractors seldom provide quotes over the phone without assessing the job on-site, nor do they demand a significant cash advance upfront. Beware of those pressuring you into making purchase decisions on the spot.
Be wary if someone claiming to be a TSSA inspector tries to sell furnaces, water heaters, or energy services. TSSA inspectors do not sell products or services and do not go door-to-door. TSSA inspectors only attend residential locations as part of an official incident investigation or when a homeowner requests a visit.
Tools to Protect Yourself from Trunk Slammers
Remember that you can take proactive steps to guard against trunk slammers when you are planning fuels work in your home:
- Verify Credentials: Qualified fuels contractors readily provide a full business address, telephone number, and customer references. Before engaging fuels contractors, use the "Look up a fuels contractor" tool on tssa.org to verify their credentials.
- Report Fraud: When you come across a fraudulent fuels worker, report them to TSSA by sending an email to: fuels_technical_services@tssa.org. As a regulator, TSSA is committed to investigating and taking legal action against unlawful operators. Your action can save others from fuels scams.
- Explore Resources: Visit TSSA’s website for additional resources and real-life scammer stories. These firsthand experiences offer invaluable insights for combating fuels scammers.
Stay fuels wise by educating yourself about trunk slammers, recognizing red flags and promptly reporting any suspicious fuels activity to TSSA.
Remember, safety is right, not a compromise.
Service delay expected during system shutdown from March 21 to 28, 2024, in preparation for the TSSA Client Portal, a one-stop shop for doing business with TSSA
March 7, 2024 — TSSA is performing some critical system upgrades that will require a system shutdown from noon on March 21 until 8:45 a.m. on March 28.
During and immediately after the system shutdown, TSSA’s response times may be delayed, and services may be limited for all sectors. We seek your understanding and patience as we perform these crucial system upgrades.
Customers in all sectors (Fuels, Elevating and Amusement Devices, Ski Lifts, Boilers and Pressure Vessels, and Operating Engineers) who have plans to submit requests or applications should do so before March 21 or after 8.45 a.m. on March 28, 2024.
The table below lists the affected services during the system shutdown.
Affected Services from noon on March 21 to 28, 8.45 a.m.
Service | Impact |
| Customer Service | From March 21 to 28, TSSA’s Customer Contact Centre will be available to answer general inquiries and assist customers in navigating the website. |
Prepayment Portal | - Applications that require prepayment can be submitted through the Prepayment Portal during the transition period. - Applications submitted through the Prepayment Portal between March 21 and March 28 will be processed after March 28, 2024. |
Invoice Payment Portal | - Credit card payments for invoiced services or authorizations can be made through the Online Payment Portal. - All payments submitted through the Invoice Payment Portal between March 21 and March 28 will be processed after March 28, 2024, and posted to customer accounts. |
Non-Credit Card Payments | All payments other than credit card payments submitted to TSSA between March 21 and March 28 will be processed after March 28, 2024, and posted to customer accounts. |
Issuance of Invoices | Invoices for services performed between March 21 and March 28 will be issued after March 28, 2024. |
Request for Public Information | Requests for public information received between March 21 and March 28, will be processed after March 28, 2024. |
New Account or Updates to Account Information | From March 21 to 28, 2024: - New accounts cannot be created - Account information (for example, address change, change of device ownership, etc.) cannot be updated. |
Engineering Services | Engineering customers should anticipate longer processing times for engineering services during and shortly after the transition period. |
| Inspection Services | Scheduled inspections will continue as normal. To schedule or reschedule an inspection, contact Inspection Scheduling Agents at 1-833-WFP-TSSA or send an email to: - EDAD Ski: EDADInspection@tssa.org - BPV/OE: inspectionscheduling@tssa.org - Fuels: fuelsinspection@tssa.org Customers are encouraged to schedule time-sensitive inspections taking place during the transition period as early as possible. For all reportable incidents, please contact the Spills Action Centre by calling 1-877-682-TSSA (8772) and choosing option 1. |
Inspection Reports | Customers may receive a temporary inspection report during the transition period. Standard inspection reports will follow once the system shutdown ends on March 28, 2024. |
Boilers & Pressure Vessels (BPV COI) - Certificate of Inspection | From March 21 to March 28: - General inquiries related to the status of a COI or requests for reprints will continue. - Changes to address or updates to technical data captured under TSSA’s inventory (devices and facilities) records cannot be processed from March 21 to 28, 2024. |
Portal for Boilers & Pressure Vessels - Certificate of Inspection (BPV COI Portal) | As the BPV COI Portal will not be accessible to insurers, inspection agencies or owners between March 21 and March 28, the following services will not be available: - Changes to address or updates to technical data captured under TSSA’s inventory (devices and facilities) records cannot be processed from March 21 to 28, 2024. - Records of Inspection for boilers and pressure vessels cannot be submitted from March 21 to 28, 2024. - Insurer cancellation requests cannot be processed during the transition period. |
Licences, Registrations and Other Items Mailed Out by TSSA | Mailings of licences, registrations and other items will resume on March 28, 2024. |
Exam Results/ Individual Authorizations | Exam results and individual certificates (authorizations) will not be officially issued from March 21 to 28, 2024. Note: Exam scheduling activities and marking will continue, and candidates will be notified of the results via email. |