Authorization Late Payment and Inspection Cancellation Fees Consultation

Industry: All Industries

Category: TSSA News

Apr 22, 2024

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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. 

TSSA Garners Safety Excellence Recognition for Third Straight Year

Industry: All Industries

Category: Press release

Apr 17, 2024

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Toronto, ON, April 17, 2024 – The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is proud to announce that it has been honoured by Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine with a 5-Star Safety Cultures Award for the third straight year. This award recognizes Canadian organizations that consistently demonstrate their commitment to fostering a strong safety culture. 

“TSSA is a safety culture leader, both internally and externally, as it helps organizations in Ontario meet the highest safety standards,” said Shane Mercer, Senior Journalist, Canadian Occupational Safety. TSSA should be celebrated for its devotion to creating resilient safety cultures that help protect workers in many sectors of the economy.” 

Nominated by COS magazine, TSSA was shortlisted as a finalist for the award following a comprehensive submission outlining its internal safety initiatives. In the next qualifying round, a cross-section of TSSA employees participated in a safety culture satisfaction survey, resulting in an overall satisfaction rating exceeding 75 percent. 

TSSA has been on a transformative journey since 2018, transitioning into a modern Outcome-Based Regulator that harnesses data insights to better target safety risks and reduce harm. Strengthening TSSA's internal safety culture is a critical component to this transformation, enabling TSSA to achieve its safety goals. 

“Winning this award for the third year in a row is a tremendous honour and a testament to the dedication of our entire team to maintaining the highest standards of safety,” said Bonnie Rose, President and CEO, TSSA. “At TSSA, safety is a core value ingrained in everything we do. This award serves as a validation of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe and healthy work environment for all our employees and working together with the industries we regulate for a safer Ontario.” 

In a feature article in COS magazine, TSSA sheds light on the strategies and initiatives that have contributed to its strong safety culture. For more details, read the story.

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For more information, please contact:  

Alexandra Campbell Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations  

Technical Standards and Safety Authority  

Telephone: 416-734-6227  

Email: media@tssa.org

Nominations Open for TSSA Safety Awards 2024

Industry: All Industries

Category: Press release

Apr 04, 2024

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Annual award program recognizes Ontario leaders in public safety

TORONTO, April 4, 2024 - The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is now accepting nominations for its 2024 Safety Awards honouring Ontario leaders in public safety.

Access online nomination forms on TSSA's website. Nominations of individuals and organizations working in TSSA's regulated sectors will be accepted until June 3, 2024 (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.

Organizations, teams or individuals can be nominated in two award categories recognizing acts and initiatives 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.

TSSA will announce the 2024 Safety Awards recipients at its annual public meeting on September 19, 2024.

The following were recipients of TSSA's Safety Awards in 2023:

2023 Impact Award Winner, Brandon Irwin

As a Lift Operator at Osler Bluff Ski Club in Blue Mountains, Ontario, Brandon Irwin proved that a vigilant safety mindset can save lives on the slopes. His unwavering focus on customers, along with a lifesaving outcome from his prompt safety actions, has distinguished him as the winner of the TSSA Impact Award 2023. Read the write-up or watch the video.

2023 Legacy Award Winner, Western University Power Plant Team 

For two decades, Western University's Power Plant team has maintained an impeccable record of zero lost-time incidents. This safety achievement demonstrates the plant's robust safety culture, earning the 15-strong Power Plant team the TSSA Legacy Award for 2023. Read the write-up or watch the video.

Bonnie Rose, President and CEO of TSSA, says recognizing people and organizations that have made significant contributions to public safety in Ontario is an important part of TSSA's efforts to encourage best practices and improve safety outcomes.

"Organizations, teams and industry professionals dedicated to safety are vital partners in fostering a safer Ontario. These awards underscore that safety is a shared responsibility. Everyone has the potential to make an impact on safety," says Rose.

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.

TSSA President & CEO Named Among Canada’s Top Women in Safety

Industry: All Industries

Category: Press release

Mar 08, 2024

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Toronto, ON, March 8, 2024 – The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is pleased to announce that TSSA President and CEO Bonnie Rose has once again been honoured as one of Canada’s Top Women in Safety by Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine. 

“I’d like to congratulate Ms. Rose for once again being recognized with this prestigious honour, especially fitting as we mark International Women’s Day today,” said RJ. Falconi, Chair of TSSA’s Board of Directors. “Bonnie has steered TSSA through an ambitious transformation into an Outcome-Based Regulator that uses data insights and other modern regulatory tools to improve safety for Ontarians. Thanks to her strong leadership, TSSA has a phenomenal foundation upon which it can advance safety standards, better target safety risks to reduce harm and blaze new trails in safety.” 

TSSA has launched innovative regulatory initiatives that enhance safety for the province. These efforts include establishing compliance standards and a compliance support program that leverage data for harm reduction. 

Rose said, “Everyone at TSSA has worked together to improve safety. I’m very proud of the work we have done as One TSSA, working collaboratively with our valued stakeholders, for a safer Ontario.” 

Rose was initially recognized as one of Canada’s Top Women in Safety in 2021. Her leadership profile is now showcased on COS Top Women in Safety 2024 website. 

Canada’s Top Women in Safety is a nomination-based award. Nomination needs to include the nominee’s professional achievements over the past 12 months, initiatives and innovations, and contributions to the Occupational Health and Safety industry. 

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For more information, please contact: 

Alexandra Campbell 

Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations  

Technical Standards and Safety Authority  

Telephone: 416-734-6227  

Email: media@tssa.org

Temporary Impact on Services & Response Times During Launch of New Portal

Industry: All Industries

Category: TSSA News

Mar 07, 2024

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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 ServiceFrom 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.

Safety Dispatch E-Newsletter, January/February 2024

Industry: All Industries

Category: TSSA News

Feb 29, 2024

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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. 

Important Information: Fee Changes – Effective May 1, 2024

Industry: All Industries

Category: TSSA News

Feb 26, 2024

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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.