TSSA Investigation Results in Fine for Safety Violations

Posted Wednesday January 23, 2019

Posted By: Greg Kerr

Category: TSSA News,About TSSA,Fuels

Belle River contractor prosecuted for damaging pipeline

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Toronto, ON, January 23, 2018) –

Following a Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) investigation, Belle River contractor, Sunrise Backhoe Services Ltd., has pled guilty to damaging a natural gas pipeline, contrary to the Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems Regulation (Ontario 210/01). 

The charges were laid subsequent to a TSSA inspector’s investigation of damage to a natural gas pipeline on Hayes Street in Lasalle, Ontario.  On January 14, 2019, Sunrise Backhoe pled guilty to one count of damaging a pipeline; they were fined $7,500, plus the mandatory 25% victim fine surcharge, for a total $9,375. 

“Hitting a pipeline with pressurized gas is a significant risk to public safety,” said John Marshall, Director of TSSA’s Fuels Safety Program. “It can cause explosions, damage, injury and death. That’s why Ontario has stringent laws around pipeline safety, including rules to obtain a valid locate before breaking ground and to hand-dig within one metre of utility markings.” 

TSSA reminds the public that any excavation work must comply with Ontario’s safety laws, including obtaining a valid pipeline locate from the license holder or gas utility before breaking ground and not using mechanical equipment while digging within one metre of a pipeline. Free locates can be obtained from Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255, or visit http://on1call.com. 

Ontario Regulation 210/01 prohibits interfering with or damaging a pipeline.  Any damage and/or subsequent release of gas should be immediately reported to the Ministry of Environment’s Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060 or by contacting TSSA toll-free 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, ski lifts, and upholstered and stuffed articles. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, 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:

Laura Glynn, Spokesperson
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 1-877-682-8772; Email: media@tssa.org

For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org.