Check out the latest updates in the January/February 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.
Technical safety is improving in Ontario with fewer serious injuries over the past few years. Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)’s aim is to reduce administrative burden and improve efficiency so that everyone can focus their time on what matters – reducing the potential for harm.
As a not-for-profit public safety regulator, TSSA charges fees on a cost-recovery basis that reflect the true cost of providing public safety services.
Fees are reviewed annually to ensure that TSSA is adequately resourced to fulfil its safety mandate and regulatory responsibilities. After conducting a thorough fee review, TSSA has determined that a fee increase is necessary across all sectors. TSSA’s efficiency measures have meant that over the last decade TSSA’s fee changes have been lower than inflation.
Fee increase of 5% for all safety programs
For the purpose of cost recovery, TSSA is implementing a 5% increase to all fees effective May 1, 2024. Averaged over three years this puts TSSA’s fee increases at 2.94% which is less than the 4.57% average rate of inflation over the same period.
Ease of doing business with TSSA: introducing the TSSA Client Portal
TSSA is investing in a new Client Portal that will make it easier for regulated parties to perform online transactions with TSSA. Starting from April 2024, the portal will launch in stages, providing customers with access to an increasing range of digital services. These include creating and updating account information, viewing exam results, paying outstanding invoices, submitting applications online and many more. Please visit our website www.tssa.org for more updates about this portal.
General reminders: the steps to minimize your fees
TSSA has already adopted a streamlined fee structure that charges fixed fees for safety administration and oversight. Additional billing for inspections occurs when more than one follow-up inspection is required due to non-compliance. Customers with a good safety record can avoid additional charges for repeated follow-up inspections. To comply with regulatory obligations and save costs, customers are encouraged to take the following steps:
- Remain compliant with all safety regulations and codes.
- Make sure your workers have the appropriate training and certifications that apply to them.
- Provide ongoing safety training and education for your workers.
- Make sure all required documentation is in order.
- Provide any support needed for TSSA to complete an inspection.
- Plan ahead so you do not pay additional fees for rush services.
- Keep your authorizations (licences, permits, registrations, certificates) current.
Keep your contact and device information up to date.
TSSA is introducing more compliance standards that target high-risk hazards identified through an analysis of historical inspection and incident data. These standards provide regulated industries with an enhanced understanding of their obligations and help ensure public safety. TSSA’s fee structure supports TSSA’s transformation to an Outcome-Based Regulator by enabling the organization to focus its resources on high-risk areas that pose the greatest threat to public safety, on making further service improvements, and on investigating and following up on unauthorized owners and workers.
Paying your fees
TSSA accepts credit card payments for invoices through TSSA’s Online Payment Portal.
Applications must be submitted and paid for in advance through TSSA’s Prepayment Portal.
Please visit the TSSA Client Portal to sign up for paperless invoicing.
The Consumers Advisory Council is seeking to recruit a member to add to the broad range of public and consumer interests and perspectives on the Council.
The mandate of the Consumers Advisory Council (CAC) is to provide independent, non-partisan advice and guidance on any aspect of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority’s (TSSA’s) operations which:
- has an impact on the public or on consumers who are purchasers or users of products and/or devices regulated by TSSA; or
- affects public safety of activities regulated by TSSA.
Such advice and guidance will assist TSSA in successfully achieving its mission to enhance public safety.
In support of its mandate, the council provides the President and CEO with observations, identifies gaps, and recommends opportunities for improvement with respect to TSSA’s services, policies and actions, including but not limited to TSSA’s:
- reporting of, and response to, safety incidents and trends;
- provision of public safety education; and
- reporting of, and responding to, specific issues and trends.
Visit the TSSA website to access information about the Consumers Advisory Council, including the minutes of past meetings.
If you are interested in applying, please submit a letter of interest and resume later than March 29, 2024. The letter of intent should include a statement of the applicant’s background and interests relevant to the Council, such as relevant previous work, consumer or service advocacy, or volunteerism with consumers, and any special interests in one or more of the technical areas regulated by TSSA or public safety in general. Please submit both the resume and letter of interest to:
Olga Sousa-Dias
(Acting) Council Coordinator
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
345 Carlingview Drive
Toronto, Ontario
M9W 6N9
Tel: 416-734-3320
Fax: 416-231-1060
Email: tssaadvisorycouncil@tssa.org
Notice: Parties having an interest in 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 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 to 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 its services;
- 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 nominations from Utilities/Distribution (CNG or LNG or hydrogen or RNG) to represent this stakeholder group.
https://www.tssa.org/en/fuels/advisory-council.aspx
If you are interested in nominating yourself for a position as a Council Member, please submit a letter of interest/nomination together with a resume to by March 29, 2024:
Olga Sousa Dias
(Acting) Council Coordinator
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
345 Carlingview Drive
Toronto, Ontario
M9W 6N9
Tel: 416-734-3320
Email: tssaadvisorycouncil@tssa.org
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 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 to 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 its services;
- 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 nominations from a Manufacturer/Designer to represent this stakeholder group.
Please visit the TSSA website to access information about the Propane Advisory Council, including the minutes of past meetings.
If you are interested in nominating yourself for a position as a Council Member, please submit a letter of interest/nomination together with a resume by March 29, 2024 to:
Olga Sousa Dias
(Acting) Council Coordinator
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
345 Carlingview Drive
Toronto, Ontario
M9W 6N9
Email: tssaadvisorycouncil@tssa.org
Notice: Parties having an interest and expertise in the Amusement Device 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 a number of 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 Amusement Devices 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 its services;
- a valuable resource through which to solicit industry input and advice; and
- a mechanism to facilitate communication back to industry at large.
The Amusement Devices Advisory Council is seeking the following nominations to represent the respective stakeholder groups:
- An owner or operator of Go Karts
- An Amusement device mechanic
- An owner or operator of Camps
Please visit the TSSA website to access information about the Amusement Devices Advisory Council, including the minutes of past meetings.
If you are interested in nominating yourself for a position as a Council Member, please submit a letter of interest/nomination together with a resume by March 29, 2024 to:
Olga Sousa Dias
(Acting) Council Coordinator
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
345 Carlingview Drive
Toronto, Ontario
M9W 6N9
Tel: 416-734-3320
Email: tssaadvisorycouncil@tssa.org
A reminder on the importance of using a personal carbon monoxide monitor when entering a building with a suspected incident
In light of an incident where first responders were exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide (CO), the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) reminds all fuel contractors of the importance of using a personal CO monitor when entering a building with a suspected incident.
TSSA investigated an incident involving a fatality where the fuel appliance was producing very high levels of CO (more than 60,000 parts per million). When first responders entered the building, they suffered CO poisoning shortly after.
The last responder to enter the building had a personal CO monitor that alarmed them, and he immediately ordered everyone to evacuate. This action limited the effects of the CO exposure, allowing them to exit safely.
As CO is undetectable and given this near miss, TSSA strongly advises that crews have at least one personal CO monitor for use when entering a building with an incident.
Sign up as a new user to access Portal services & highest-volume applications
The TSSA Client Portal is set to launch in April and will make it easier for regulated industry customers to perform online transactions.
Here’s what you need to know:
- All customers need to sign up as new users of the TSSA Client Portal before they will be able to conduct any transactions.
- The following online services will be available on the Portal in April:
- Creating and updating accounts
- Submit a request to write an exam
- Viewing exam results
- Submit and pay for applications
- Pay invoices
- The Portal will initially offer access to the highest-volume applications listed in the table below.
- All other applications will continue to be submitted through the Service Prepayment Portal via TSSA’s website until more applications are added to the TSSA Client Portal.
From April 29, 2024, the highest-volume applications will only be available on the TSSA Client Portal. Customers who may have started filling out an existing application will have to complete and submit it via our existing Prepayment portal no later than Friday, April 26.
List of highest-volume applications on the TSSA Client Portal:
| Service Type | Application |
| Inspection Scheduling | - Request for Installation Inspection of a Boiler & Pressure Vessel (BPV) - Request for BPV Inspections: New Manufacturing (Shop Fabrication), Repair, Alteration, Welder/Brazer Qualification |
| Public Information | Public Information Requests for documents |
| Training, Certifications & Exams | Submit a request to write an exam |
| Customer Management | - Request for Change of Ownership (for customers of Fuels and Elevating & Amusement Devices only) - Register in Ontario as a Fuel Safety Contractor - Request for Ontario Licence to Transport Fuel |
| Boilers & Pressure Vessels | - Apply for BPV Design Registration - Request for BPV Variance |
| Licensing & Registrations | Renew Amusement Device Permit |
TSSA will be providing multiple resources to help customers navigate the Client Portal. Please watch for future communications on TSSA’s website.
Rebrand signals a fresh approach to promote safety in Ontario
Over the past few months, you have likely noticed a new look for TSSA, including the design and approach of our new website and social media channels. Those changes are part of a larger effort to refresh our brand.
For us, that means we are:
- Changing the way our printed and online materials look so they are more approachable and easier to read
- Signalling that we are approaching our work in fresh, new ways
- Promoting the fact that we are becoming a more modern, collaborative, Outcome-Based Regulator, and
- Demonstrating our redoubled commitment to partnering for a safe Ontario
As long as there are safety concerns in any part of the industries we regulate, we have work to do as a key player in our provincial safety system.
We are using our systems, data and expertise at TSSA to evolve as an organization to provide Ontario with more advanced approaches to safety regulation. We work with all our stakeholders, including contractors, operators, owners, industry experts and the public on improving safety and preventing harm.
We are TSSA: Partnering for a Safe Ontario
Related: View the infographic on what an Outcome-Based Regulator means and how this regulatory approach leads to safety outcomes.
As we wrap up 2023, TSSA extends our sincere appreciation to our community of stakeholders, including the Ontario government, Advisory Council members, equipment designers, manufacturers, installers, maintainers, contractors, owners, insurers, consumers, and the public. Thank you for your valuable contributions to our joint safety efforts.
With 2024 on the horizon, we look forward to another year of strong partnership with you to keep Ontario safe today and tomorrow. Wishing you a joyous and safe holiday season and a fabulous 2024!
Holiday Hours
While the office is open to visitors by appointment only, please note the following changes to TSSA’s regular business hours:
- On December 22nd and December 29th, TSSA staff are available from 8 a.m. to noon.
- On December 25th, December 26th, and January 1st, TSSA will be closed.
- On all other business days, you can reach a TSSA representative during regular office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by phone at 1-877-682-8772 or email customerservices@tssa.org.