Our Annual Meeting (APM) and Safety Awards Presentation will held be on September 25, 2025.
The APM is an opportunity to report on our performance and present safety awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to public safety in Ontario.
Please RSVP to apm@tssa.org by September 5, 2025, indicating whether you will be attending in-person or virtually.
We look forward to having you join us.
Annual award program recognizes Ontario leaders in public safety
April 1, 2025 — The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is now accepting nominations for its 2025 Safety Awards honouring Ontario leaders in public safety.
Access the online nomination form on TSSA’s website. Nominations of individuals and organizations working in TSSA’s regulated sectors will be accepted until June 2, 2025 (Monday).
TSSA presents Safety Awards every year to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Ontario’s public safety in TSSA’s regulated sectors: Fuels; Boilers and Pressure Vessels and Operating Engineers; Elevating and Amusement Devices and Ski Lifts.
Nominations can be made in two award categories recognizing acts and initiatives of organizations, teams or individuals that enhance public safety for Ontarians:
- Impact Awards highlight significant contributions to safety or significant initiatives or projects that have positive safety outcomes and go above and beyond regulatory compliance.
- Legacy Awards recognize the impact over time for persons or organizations that have demonstrated a history of safety conscientiousness.
Bonnie Rose, President and CEO of TSSA, emphasizes that safety is a shared responsibility, and collaboration with industry partners is integral to TSSA’s collective efforts to keep Ontarians safe. “It is important to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations that go above and beyond to enhance safety outcomes in Ontario. TSSA’s Safety Awards celebrate best practices and promote a culture of safety in the workplace."
TSSA will announce the 2025 Safety Awards recipients at its annual public meeting in the fall.
The following were recipients of TSSA’s Safety Awards in 2024:
2024 Impact Award Winner, Modern Niagara Group Inc.
As one of Canada’s largest mechanical contractors responsible for building much of the country’s infrastructure, Modern Niagara Group Inc. goes above and beyond industry regulations to prioritize safety. Its commitment to safety excellence and proactive approach to fostering a culture of compliance has earned it the TSSA Impact Award for 2024. Watch the video; Read the writeup
2024 Legacy Award Winner, Andreas Tanzer
Water has always been a recurring theme throughout Andreas Tanzer’s life. As the son of master sailboat builder Johann Tanzer, Tanzer inherited his father’s passion for facilitating fun in the water. Over a 38-year career, he has become a leading figure in professional water-ride design and developing industry standards and safety regulations for the waterpark industry. Tanzer, who recently retired as Director of Research, Designs and Standards with ProSlide Technology Inc. in Ottawa and continues to provide consulting services to the amusement and waterpark industry as president of AJT Consulting Ltd., is the recipient of the TSSA Legacy Award for 2024. Watch the video; Read the writeup
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.
This news item was sent to all TSSA clients.
Thomas Cavanagh Construction Fined $100,000 for Gas Line Strikes in Ottawa
Toronto, ON, March 19, 2025 – Thomas Cavanagh Construction Limited (Cavanagh Construction) has been fined $100,000 after pleading guilty last week to five safety violations under the Technical Standards and Safety Act. Cavanagh Construction’s violations resulted in damage to multiple gas lines in and around Ottawa, causing gas outages for six homes and a retail mall. The Ontario Court of Justice also imposed a 25% victim surcharge.
Between March 28, 2023, and July 24, 2024, while under contract with the City of Ottawa for tunnel and pipeline upgrades, Cavanagh Construction caused 11 gas line breaks. The company had proper locates and maps identifying gas lines and was aware that regulations prohibit using mechanical excavators within one metre of a gas line. Despite this, Cavanagh Construction used mechanical excavators instead of the required hand digging or hydro excavation methods near pipelines, leading to breaks and gas supply disruptions for homes and businesses.
“Using heavy machinery for excavation near pipelines is unsafe, as reflected in our safety regulations, and this case has proven that,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of Fuels at the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). “It is important to be cautious when digging because unsafe practices can put many people at risk of losing heat, hot water, and the ability to prepare meals. In the most serious cases, it can lead to explosions that cause property damage, injuries, or even loss of life.”
TSSA reminds individuals and businesses to contact Ontario One Call before digging to locate underground infrastructure, including gas, hydro, cable, and phone lines. Any damaged pipelines or gas leaks should be reported immediately to the Ministry of the Environment’s Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060 or TSSA at 1-877-682-8772.
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.
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For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications, Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Service
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
Email: media@tssa.org