Plant operators considering an application for Path 1 of the Alternate Rules for Operating Engineers can use the Path 1 Self-Assessment Tool to estimate their plant's risk score. The calculated risk rating for the plant determines appropriate staffing requirements.
TSSA has made some improvements to the Path 1 Self-Assessment Tool based on your feedback, and we are pleased to let you know that the self-assessment tool is once again available on the website.
Plant owners can use the online tool to enter information about their plant equipment to get an estimate of the risk rating of their plant under Path 1 for planning purposes. They are still required to follow the formal Path 1 application process.
Path 1 is one of three safety paths through which TSSA regulates and monitors registered plants for safety compliance:
- Original Regulation: Plants are managed according to the requirements under O. Reg 219/01 which is based only on the installed power rating of a plant in kilowatts.
- Path 1: Plants are measured by their size, complexity and safety risk in addition to a plant’s power rating. Factors that influence safety risk include technology type, plant occupancy and exposure type. These factors are used to calculate a risk rating for the plant which will determine appropriate staffing requirements.
- Path 2: Regulated plants implement Risk and Safety Management Plans customized for their specific sites which include additional risk management technologies and other processes developed by professional engineers and approved by TSSA.
Alternate rules, which came into effect on October 2, 2020, facilitate a risk-based approach to industry regulation and give registered plant owners and users the option to obtain TSSA authorization to operate under an alternate safety path.
Read more in the Alternate Rules webpage or check out TSSA's Path 1 Self-Assessment Tool.