More than 160 attendees from across the amusement ride industry gathered in Vaughan, Ontario for the Amusement Ride Safety Seminar held from March 25-27, 2025.
Hosted by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) in collaboration with the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO), the annual event brought together industry experts, regulators, professionals from Canada's Wonderland, manufacturers and third-party engineers for three days of knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and hands-on training.
Participants earned 16 hours of continuing education credits while gaining valuable insights from industry leaders through both In-class and practical sessions. Topics covered ranged from ride inspection and auditing to incident investigation, evacuation, industry best practices, and Electrical Safety Authority training.
A key highlight was a field trip to Canada’s Wonderland where participants received a behind-the-scenes look at the park's safety practices, upcoming attraction and the latest technology used in the amusement park.
Event organizers Sonny Silva, Regional Supervisor for Elevating and Amusement Devices (EDAD), and Joelle Javier, EDAD Manager, gave an update on TSSA and ASTM regulations and standards.
Deep Dives into Specialized Topics
Andy Benko, Quality Assessment Specialist with TSSA’s Boilers and Pressure Vessels (BPV) Program, presented on BPVs in amusement rides. He emphasized the responsibility of amusement ride owners and operators to ensure that BPVs regulated under Ontario Regulation 220/01 are registered, inspected and maintained in safe operating condition.
Dr. Kathryn Woodcock, a Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University in the School of Occupational and Public Health, delivered a presentation on device control interfaces in amusement rides. She highlighted the importance of designing operator controls that are within easy reach not just for comfort, but also for speed, accuracy of response and to avoid unintentional activation.
Dr. Woodcock said a task group is updating ASTM F2291-24’s clause 17 on ‘Operator Controls’ to provide more guidance on good interface design. The scope will apply to all user interfaces with safety implications, including riders, attendants and mechanics. “We want to make sure everyone understands what we mean by the principles we refer to in the standard,’ she said.
“Ideal controls will leave the user no uncertainty as to what will happen to the system when a particular control is moved a certain way,” Dr. Woodcock notes. “Meaningful displays will be user-centered, supporting accurate intuitive interpretation or the current state. Interfaces should be easy to use because the operators will do their tasks more accurately and faster.”
Devan Devalia, application engineer with SKF Group, presented on the bearings used in amusement rides and shared maintenance tips to optimize their performance and lifespan.
Other industry experts at the event include Cindy Sypher, Chair of TSSA’s Amusement Devices Industry Advisory Council; Vince Conforzi, Building/Plumbing Inspector at the City of Vaughan; and Jason Gordon, Director of Operations at Cobalt Safety East. They discussed building, fire and occupational health and safety in amusement buildings such as escape rooms, which are designed to disorient people or have reduced lighting and can make it challenging for people to find their way out in an emergency.
Concluding the seminar was a presentation by Chris Clarke, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Amusement Operators. Clarke’s presentation highlighted practical field issues with amusement rides and illustrated with before-and-after examples.
The session wrapped up with a final exam for some members who were sitting for certification.
The next seminar will take place in spring 2026. TSSA looks forward to continuing to strengthen safety, spark innovation, and support excellence across the amusement ride industry. Stay tuned.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is hosting an online training to assist insurer administrative personnel on how to use the new ‘Violations’ page to enter information about failed inspections and Records of Inspection (ROI) in the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Certificate of Inspection (BPV COI) Portal for Insurers.
Register for the online training that will take place on:
April 14, 2025 (Monday)
10 – 10:30 a.m. (EDT) : Training
10:30 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.: Q&A about the BPV COI Insurer Portal or training
Link to join the online training:
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 265 497 607 710
Passcode: eh3Kb36K
TSSA recently announced that insurers will be required to report specific violations through the BPV COI Portal for Insurers starting April 14, 2025. High-risk violations must be resolved by device owners before a Certificate of Inspection can be issued.
We encourage all administrative personnel or users of the BPV COI Insurer Portal who are responsible for entering information about failed inspections and ROIs to attend this online training.
Boilers and Pressure Vessels Safety Program
This news item was sent to BPV insurers and web subscribers.
Following the webinar that TSSA held on July 30, 2024, to support Boiler and Pressure Vessel (BPV) clients in submitting engineering applications through the TSSA Client Portal, a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) from attendees is now available on TSSA's website.
FAQs are grouped according to topics, including account creation, applications, expedited service requests, third-party submissions and supporting documents. Click to read the BPV webinar FAQ.
A recording of the webinar is also available.
A recording of a TSSA webinar held on July 30, 2024, to support Boiler and Pressure Vessel (BPV) clients in submitting engineering applications through the TSSA Client Portal is now available on TSSA's website.
The webinar gave attendees a forum to ask questions and provided a live walk-through of topics that included the purpose of the personal profile, when to create an account, how to link to organizational and client accounts, and why it is important. Click to watch the video below.
Click to watch the webinar recording.
TSSA hosted a virtual training for the inflatable industry on May 3, 2024.
The training covered a gamut of topics that included incident reporting, inflatable design (ASTM requirements, flame tests for new devices, and evacuation), renewals (attestation and operational inspections), mechanic requirement, and training requirements for operators and events.
Click to view the presentation slides.
Register now for the 22nd annual TSSA Amusement Ride Safety Training. Over the three-day forum, attendees will receive 16 hours of continuing education credits (CEU) from the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO).
When: April 2nd to 5th, 2024
Where: Courtyard by Marriott, 1011 Bloor Street East, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K6
Registration deadline: Friday March 22, 2024
Topics covered in in-class & practical sessions
- Ride inspection and audit
- Waterslides manufacturing
- Incident investigation
- Best Practice
- Inspection Practice
- Evacuation
- ESA Training
- TSSA Update
- ASTM 2783 Requirements
Registration includes:
- April 2nd Reception
- April 3rd (Breakfast Lunch, Dinner) (4 hours in class, 4 hours practical)
- April 4th (Breakfast and Lunch) (8 hour in class)
- April 5th (NAARSO level I and II Exams)
See attachment for details.
Explore full agenda here.
Event Registration |
Hotel Registration |
Under the revised Heating Contractor Audit Program, Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) inspectors now focus on the contractor’s business operation as it pertains to the regulation(s) instead of conducting field inspections for code compliance. This allows the contractor to be responsible for regulatory compliance, including checking their fuel technicians’ work in the field.
The program will continue with enhanced processes incorporating learnings since it was first launched a few years ago.
The Propane, Gaseous and Fuel Oil Regulations have seven primary requirements that are a contractor’s responsibilities. They are as follows:
- Only install approved equipment
- Technicians shall be certified for the work
- Call for initial inspection by the distributor where fuel is being used for the first time
- Ensure employees comply with the regulation(s) by verifying employees’ work in the field
- Incident Reporting
- Identification, action as required and reporting of non-compliances (unacceptable conditions)
- Requirement to tag (pressure test tag/installation tag) equipment upon installation completion (in the Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code and the Fuel Oil Regulation)
TSSA’s audit will require the contractor to demonstrate compliance with these requirements through the contractor’s processes, procedures and records.
Regarding item 4 listed above “Ensure employees comply with the regulation(s) by verifying employees’ work in the field”, TSSA expects contractors to check their employees’ (technicians’) fuels work. The Safety Dispatch newsletter issued on August 15, 2023 indicated contractors must have a Quality Assurance Program. While this is not a requirement, it is one method to achieve compliance and is a best practice in the heating contractor industry. If there is no process to verify technicians’ work, TSSA will perform field verifications. In the event that non-compliances are found during TSSA’s verification, orders will be issued to address the non-compliances, including a directive for the contractor to develop a program to demonstrate that every reasonable precaution has been taken to ensure employees comply with O. Reg. 211/01 (Propane Storage and Handling) s. 5 or O. Reg. 212/01 (Gaseous Fuels) s. 11 or O. Reg. 213/01 (Fuel Oil) s. 5. as applicable.
Please review these advisories for further details on the Heating Contractor Audit Program:
- Revision of TSSA’s Fuels Heating Contractor Audit Program
- Validation Programs associated with TSSA’s Fuels Heating Contractor Audit Program, Advisory FS-248-20
About TSSA
Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) administers 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 include public education, authorization, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, compliance support, enforcement, and prosecution activities.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority’s (TSSA) Boilers & Pressure Vessels Safety Program is hosting seminars in Toronto and Sarnia in June and July 2023 to help industry professionals understand the regulatory requirements relating to the voluntary Alternate Piping process.
TSSA recently issued an advisory outlining a voluntary, alternate process to the existing inspection process for eligible piping fabrications and installations. The alternate process — available from May 1, 2023 — allows eligible piping contractors to inspect eligible piping systems and complete an “Alternate Piping Data Form” as an alternative to a TSSA inspection. Read the advisory
TSSA’s Regulatory Requirements Training Course (Module 1), designed for professionals who provide alternate piping inspections for organizations, will cover the following topics:
- The Ontario Boiler & Pressure Vessel Regulation 220/01
- TSSA Code Adoption Document
- Piping Registration requirements
- Quality Program Supplement review
- Responsibilities of the “Organization” and “Qualified Persons”
- Completion and filing of the “Alternate Process Piping Form”
- Reporting requirements
Click here for details or register now.
Boilers & Pressure Vessels Safety Program
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
WHEN: April 3, 4 and 5, 2023
• April 3, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Reception and check in
• April 4, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Training (8 hours of continuing education credits or CEU)
• April 5, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.: Training (8 hours of CEU)
WHERE: Niagara Falls, Ontario
Double Tree Fallsview Resort & Spa
6039 Fallsview Boulevard, Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 3V6
Register now for the 21st Annual TSSA Amusement Ride Safety Training Forum. This two-day forum provides specific training on ride inspection, codes and standards, employee safety and ride manufacture. Attendees will receive 16 hours of NAARSO continuing education credits.
Continuing education for NAARSO-certified inspectors comprises the following in-class and hands-on workshops:
• Waterslide Manufacture/Repair
• Incident Investigation
• Welding CWB Requirements
• Industry Best Practice
• Ride Manufacture Bulletins
• ESA and TSSA Update
• Wire Rope Requirements
• ASTM 2783
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: (Friday) March 24, 2023
Registration includes the following:
• April 3rd Reception
• April 4th (Breakfast and Lunch)
• April 5th (Breakfast and Lunch)
HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Double Tree Fallsview Resort & Spa
Register for Amusement Ride Safety Training Forum
IAAPA Meetup: Great Wolf Lodge
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is partnering with TSSA for the IAAPA Meetup at Great Wolf Lodge. If you are already registering for the TSSA Amusement Ride Safety Training Forum 2023, please make sure you select to attend the IAAPA Meetup. If you cannot attend the forum but would like to attend the IAAPA Meetup, please register below.
Compliance Standards for Elevators & Escalators Launching on March 1, 2023
TSSA is hosting a live webinar on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, from 11 a.m. to noon (Eastern Time) to provide attendees with information about the new Compliance Standards for elevators and escalators.
Effective March 1, 2023, elevators (hydraulic and electric/traction) and escalators will be subject to TSSA’s new Compliance Standards:
Compliance Standards define high-risk items for specific devices. They are formatted like a checklist and are intended to drive consistency in TSSA periodic inspections, making it easier for regulated parties to understand their responsibilities. TSSA will only conduct follow-up inspections on high-risk orders found on a periodic inspection.
By focusing the efforts of TSSA and regulated parties on addressing high-risk non-compliances promptly, Compliance Standards for elevators and escalators are designed to help improve the safety of these devices across Ontario.
Join the Compliance Standards Webinar
Webinar attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about:
- How Compliance Standards on high-risk items were developed
- Items that will be examined during periodic inspections
- Checklists that will be used by TSSA inspectors starting March 1, 2023
- The difference between high-risk, medium-risk and low-risk non-compliances
- New inspection reports
- The process that will be followed if a non-compliance is noted on a periodic inspection report
Moderator:
Roger Neate, Director, Elevating & Amusement Devices Safety Program
Speakers:
- Dean McLellan, Regional Supervisor, Elevating & Amusement Devices, Inspection
- Sandra Cooke, Manager, Compliance, Legal
Register here to save your spot now.