Plumber Guilty of $20K in Safety Violations

Posted Monday June 25, 2018

Posted By: Greg Kerr

Category: Fuels,Fuels

TSSA Cracks Down on Unqualified Technician Endangering Homeowner 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Toronto, ON, June 25, 2018) – The Technical Standard and Safety Authority’s (TSSA’s) crackdown on unlicensed technicians has netted one operating in the Toronto Area. 

The Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto levied a fine of $20,000 against an Etobicoke plumber, Zlatko Antonov, for violating safety regulations under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000. 

As the owner of Jolanta Plumbing and Mechanical, Mr. Antonov relocated a natural gas meter at a residential home in Toronto, routing a pipeline of pressurized gas through the home, posing a serious safety hazard. 

Following investigations by TSSA, Ontario’s public safety regulator responsible for fuels safety, Antonov was found guilty of working without having a license as required by law, and of interfering with a natural gas pipeline. He was fined $10,000 per charge plus the mandatory 25% victim surcharge for a total penalty of $25,000. 

“These are serious violations of Ontario’s public safety rules that put the public in real danger,” said John Marshall, Director of TSSA’s Fuels Safety Program. “Interfering with a natural gas pipeline could easily lead to a deadly explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning,” added Marshall. 

In Ontario, all technicians employed in the installation of natural gas piping must possess valid TSSA certification, which ensures fuels contractors are properly trained and familiar with Ontario’s safety rules. In addition, anyone who interferes with a pipeline upstream of the meter must have authorization from the gas distributor. TSSA reminds the public that all natural gas work must be performed by a TSSA-certified technician. If in doubt of a technician’s certification, contact 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:

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