TSSA’s new IT business solution supports and simplifies critical business functions

March 1, 2023               

The third and final phase of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority’s (TSSA) system upgrade was completed and went live on March 1, 2023. 

The system upgrade introduces the following enhanced functionalities for customers of the Elevating and Amusement Devices and Ski Lifts (ED/AD Ski) Safety Program:

• Centralized Inspection Scheduling: Improves customer experience by providing one point of contact for scheduling inspections.
• Compliance Standards: Launched in tandem with the third phase of the system upgrade are Compliance Standards for elevators, escalators and ski lifts. Compliance Standards are a list of high-risk non-compliances which, if found on a periodic inspection, will result in a follow-up inspection by TSSA to ensure compliance. Compliance Standards also help device owners and operators better understand their safety priorities and identify items that may pose a high risk to public safety if not addressed immediately. Low- and medium-risk safety tasks will be documented on the inspection report and are expected to be addressed as part of regular equipment maintenance.
• New Format for Inspection Reports: Enhanced clarity in inspection reports across Safety Programs through the improved use of language and the display of orders and safety tasks based on the compliance time; and resolved orders (if any).
  
   
• Consolidation of Expiry Dates: Elevating and Ski Lift customers can request consolidated authorization expiry dates for all their elevating and ski-lift devices effective March 1, 2023.
  
   
• Enhanced Authorizations: Reinforcing TSSA’s Lapsed Authorizations Policy, the new system identifies customers with lapsed authorizations and sends notifications to remind customers that they cannot legally operate without a valid authorization (e.g. licences and registrations).

System Upgrade Supports TSSA’s Safety Mandate

The successful completion of the third phase of the system-upgrade project puts all TSSA’s Safety programs — ED/AD Ski, Fuels, Boilers and Pressure Vessels and Operating Engineers — on one integrated platform. The upgraded IT business solution further advances TSSA’s transformation into an Outcome-Based Regulator by modernizing its processes and systems and improving core functions.

Providing real-time trustworthy data that will serve as the foundation for informed, risk-based decision-making puts TSSA in a stronger position to improve safety in Ontario. The modern functionality also sets the stage for future self-serve options for TSSA’s customers.

Longer response times can be expected for a period after the upgraded system goes live on March 1, 2023.

For more information, please refer to the infographic below and the Customer FAQ. 

Enhanced Functionalities for the Elevating & Amusement Devices 
& Ski Lifts Safety Program

 Centralized Inspection Scheduling

• Centralized Contact Point for Scheduling Inspections:
  • Shifts inspection scheduling to a dedicated team of inspection-scheduling agents available during regular hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon- Fri) at 1-833-WFP-TSSA (1-833-937-8772) or EDADInspection@tssa.org.
  • A minimum of 24 hours notice is required when rescheduling a pre-booked inspection.
• Consistent Customer Experience:
  Ensures consistent customer service with standard inspection lead times and inspection-type prioritization. 

 Compliance Standards for Elevators, Escalators & 
Ski Lifts

• Prioritizes High-Risk Non-Compliances:
  Help industry understand safety priorities by identifying high-risk non-compliances that may pose a high risk to public safety if not addressed immediately. Compliance Standards are a list of high-risk non-compliances which, if found on a periodic inspection, will result in a follow-up inspection by TSSA to ensure compliance. Low- and medium-risk safety tasks will be documented on the inspection report and are expected to be addressed as part of regular equipment maintenance.
• Safety Ownership:
  Acknowledges that regulated parties have the primary responsibility for compliance and are required to:
  - Resolve all orders within the compliance time provided
  - Resolve low- or medium-risk safety tasks within the compliance time provided without further TSSA inspection

New Format for 
Inspection Reports

 Enhanced Clarity of Inspection Reports:
(The new format applies to inspection reports across all programs: Elevating & Amusement Devices; Ski Lifts; Fuels; Boilers & Pressure Vessels; Operating Engineer)

• Improved language
• Display orders based on the compliance time (orders with the shortest time to achieve compliance will appear at the top)
• Display resolved orders (if any)

 Consolidation of Expiry Dates for Elevating Devices & 
Ski Lifts

 Same Expiry Date for all Authorizations:

• Consolidation of expiry dates gives authorization holders the option to have one expiry date for their devices for each account. The option will be available to authorization holders of elevating devices and ski lifts as of March 1, 2023. Interested applicants can request an application form by sending an email to licencingandregistration@tssa.org. 
• Customers can better manage billing cycles and pay renewal licenses at the same time for all devices.

Service delay expected during the transition period from February 15 to 28, 2023

January 13, 2023

On March 1, 2023, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is implementing the third phase of its upgraded IT solution known as OASIS, as part of its commitment to modernize and simplify services.

Customers are advised that some of TSSA’s response times may be delayed, and services may be limited for all programs while transitioning systems from end of day February 15 to 28, 2023 (timing may be subject to adjustment).  

Customers of all safety programs (Fuels, Elevating and Amusement Devices, Ski Lifts, Boilers and Pressure Vessels, and Operating Engineers) who have plans to submit requests or applications are urged to do so before February 15 or after February 28, 2023. 

TSSA is continuing to implement OASIS as part of its transformation to an Outcome-Based Regulator. This third phase involves the migration of the Elevating and Amusement Devices and Ski (EDAD Ski) Safety Program to the integrated business solution that is already in place for Fuels, Boilers and Pressure Vessels and Operating Engineers.

As part of TSSA’s focus on modernizing its processes and leveraging technology to create a more consistent customer experience, centralized inspection scheduling for EDAD Ski Safety Program will start on April 1, 2023. EDAD Ski customers will have one central point of contact to schedule inspections. More details will be provided shortly.

We seek your understanding and patience as necessary improvements to TSSA’s systems are made to enable better data quality and make it easier for customers to access TSSA’s services. Customers should anticipate longer response times during and immediately after the transition to an upgraded system.

The table below lists the affected services from end of day February 15 to 28, 2023:

Service

Impact

Customer Service Centre

• Customers are encouraged to limit their requests for non-urgent services and support until regular operations resume on March 1, 2023. TSSA will not be able to receive and respond to emails sent to Customer Services at customerservices@tssa.org during this time.
• Applications can still be submitted via the prepayment portal. If you require immediate assistance, please call Customer Services at 1-877-682-8772.   

Prepayment

Portal

• Applications that require prepayment can be submitted through the prepayment portal during the transition period.
• Applications submitted through the prepayment portal during the transition period will be processed after March 1, 2023.

Payment of Invoices

• Credit card payments for invoiced services or authorizations can be made through the online payment portal.
• Credit card receipts should be requested at the time when the payment is processed via the online payment portal.
• All payments processed and accepted between February 15 and February 28, 2023, will be posted to customer accounts after March 1, 2023.

Issuance of Invoices

• Invoices for services performed between February 15 and February 28, 2023, will be issued after March 1, 2023.
• Starting March 1, 2023, Elevating, Amusement and Ski Lift Device customers will receive invoices in a new format (like those already in place for Fuels, Boilers & Pressure Vessels & Operating Engineers).

Request for Public Information

• Requests opened before the transition period will be processed during the transition period.
• Requests for public information received after February 15, 2023, will be processed after March 1, 2023.
• Turnaround time will be delayed beyond the targeted 30 days.

New Account or Updates to Account Information

     From February 15 to 28, 2023:

• 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 during the current system upgrade transition.
• Effective January 9, 2023, Priority (Rush) Services for the Elevating, Amusement and Ski Lift Devices Safety Program will be suspended temporarily. Click here for more information.

Inspection Services

• Scheduled inspections will continue as planned across programs.
• To schedule or reschedule an inspection, contact Workforce Planning at 1-833-WFP-TSSA or send an email to:

        - EDAD Ski: EDADInspection@tssa.org

        - BPV/OE: inspectionscheduling@tssa.org     

        - Fuels: fuelsinspection@tssa.org

• During the transition period and first few weeks of March when the new system goes live, TSSA’s inspectors may not be available on requested days due to training and system unavailability.
• Customers are encouraged to schedule time-sensitiveinspections 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 across programs may receive a temporary inspection report during the transition period. Regular inspection reports will follow after March 1, 2023.

Boilers & Pressure Vessels - Certificate of Inspection 

(BPV COI)

From February 15 to 28, 2023:

• 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 between February 15 and 28, 2023.

Portal for

Boilers & Pressure Vessels - Certificate of Inspection 

(BPV COI)

As the BPV COI portal will not be available to insurers, inspection agencies or owners during the transition period, 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 between February 15 and 28, 2023.
• Records of Inspection for boilers and pressure vessels cannot be accepted between February 15 to 28, 2023.
• Insurer cancellation requests cannot be processed during the transition period.

Licenses, Certificates and Other Items Mailed Out by TSSA

Mailings of licenses, certificates and other items will resume on March 1, 2023.

Exam Results/ Individual 

Authorizations

Exam results and individual certificates (authorizations) will not be officially issued between February 15 and 28, 2023.

Note: Exam scheduling activities and marking will continue, and candidates will be notified via email of results

Elevating Devices Contractor Renewals

As the migration of the Elevating, Amusement and Ski Lift Devices Safety Program to the upgraded system will go live on March 1, 2023, the authorization expiry date for all active Elevating Devices contractor registrations will be extended from March 31, 2023, to May 31, 2023. TSSA will continue to process renewals after March 1, 2023. 

Stay tuned for more updates in TSSA’s Newsroom and Safety Dispatch e-newsletter.

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.  

To legally operate a business, facility or device in Ontario, those in TSSA-regulated industries must maintain a current TSSA licence or registration. Active authorizations are necessary for TSSA to have oversight of the technical operations it regulates.

Last summer, TSSA informed authorization holders of its policy for reinstating lapsed authorizations. In an effort to help regulated parties keep their authorizations in good standing and remain compliant with safety laws, while further protecting the wellbeing of Ontarians, TSSA provides regulated parties with notice of renewal on a number of occasions using various outreach methods.

Starting May 2, 2022, TSSA will begin active outreach to former authorization holders whose authorizations expired between April 30, 2016, and April 30, 2021, to bring the operations back into compliance, if warranted, and ensure they’re performing safely.

TSSA will contact former authorization holders using a staggered timeline for each safety program area.

• Elevating Devices – Commencing May 2, 2022
• Boilers and Pressure Vessels – Commencing late July/early August 2022
• Fuels – Commencing November 1, 2022

Please note that these dates are subject to change, to maintain effective workflow management and customer service levels.

Learn more about TSSA’s Lapsed Authorizations and Historical Lapsed Authorizations Policy and get answers to frequently asked questions about fees associated with lapsed authorizations, requalification requirements, leave of absence considerations, and more.

Please contact TSSA if you have any questions about ensuring your TSSA authorizations are current.