Corporate Policies

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is committed to a culture of openness and transparency, thereby fostering a culture of trust and confidence with our stakeholders and the public. It is our vision to be a valued authority for a safer Ontario. For this reason, TSSA has made available several corporate policies pertaining to business operations that can be found below.

Corporate Health & Safety Policy

The health and safety of our employees and our workplace are a priority and, as a result, we are committed to a goal of zero workplace injuries and illnesses. In all situations, priority is given to protecting our employees, visitors and the public from risk of injury. To assist in achieving this objective, a health and safety program is in place.

Through an effective partnership between employees, supervisors, the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee, and executive leadership, we will meet our objective of promoting and maintaining a healthy and safe work environment.

The executive leadership team will set annual objectives and targets for occupational health and safety, and routinely report on progress to the Board of Directors and to TSSA employees.

Those with supervisory authority are accountable and responsible for the safety of their employees, and will lead health and safety initiatives to meet this obligation. It is also the responsibility of the executive leadership team, managers, regional supervisors and team leaders to be knowledgeable of and comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and to ensure employee adherence to health and safety policies. Further, TSSA will provide the tools and education needed to ensure a safe workplace.

The cooperation and participation of all employees in our health and safety program is imperative to achieving these goals. We challenge ourselves to continuously improve our systems, environment and work practices. Everyone at TSSA has the responsibility to work in a safe manner, to use appropriate safety equipment at all times, and to report any workplace incident, near miss occurrence, or possible unhealthy or unsafe condition.

Discretionary Services Policy

At the TSSA, we are committed to accountability, transparency and fulfilling responsibilities with diligence, fairness and integrity.

The following principles apply to our policy:

We conduct ourselves with an image that maintains its ability to effectively deliver its delegated responsibilities in a non-conflicted manner.
We never use our authority as a delegated regulator to create an unfair business advantage.
All contracts, agreements and understandings are coherent with competition law.
We deliver discretionary services that enhance safety and revenues to the benefit and never to the detriment of our delegated regulatory responsibilities.
We ensure independent financial management and reporting of discretionary services.

Ensuring Compliance

To ensure that our actions meet the principles of our policy, the TSSA takes the following steps:

We communicate this policy to our stakeholders to ensure a broad base of understanding.
We conduct an annual review of compliance with the policy through our internal audit function. The Board of Directors delivers the results of the audit to the public

Expense Claim & Reimbursement Policy

TSSA is accountable for funds used to reimburse travel, meal and hospitality expenses submitted by employees. All expenses incurred by employees must support TSSA's business objectives.

The purpose of the Employee Expense Claim and Reimbursement Policy is to set out the rules and principles for the reimbursement of expenses while conducting business on behalf of the TSSA. This policy provides an overall framework predicated on accountability, transparency and integrity supporting TSSA’s value-for-money principle.

New Business Policy

The TSSA's new business policy shows our commitment to accountability, transparency and maintaining our responsibilities with diligence, fairness and integrity.

All TSSA employees follow the values outlined in this policy as we enter into new business activities that promote and enhance public safety and are consistent with our vision and mission.

Policy principles

Our new business policy includes the following principles:

Commitment to core responsibilities and regulatory integrity: we conduct ourselves in a manner that maintains the highest standards of integrity and act without conflict in order to deliver our delegated responsibilities.

Fair business practices: we do not use our authority as a delegated regulator to create an unfair business advantage.

Fair competition: we ensure that all contracts, agreements or understandings are consistent with competition law.

Financial independence: we deliver new business services that enhance safety and revenues that always benefit our delegated regulatory responsibilities. We ensure independent financial management and reporting of new business services.

Compliance

Our stakeholders have sound understanding of this policy and we monitor our business development activities to ensure this policy is applied.

This policy implements the appropriate use of confidentiality, proper disclosure and fair decision-making.

We do an annual review of compliance with this policy. The results are made public through the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee of the Board of Directors.

Non-Regulatory Business Policy

The TSSA has a Non-Regulatory Business Policy for the promotion and enhancement of public safety, which aligns with its vision and mission.

TSSA is not actively pursuing non-regulatory services. TSSA will maintain existing contracts at the client’s request and only enter into new arrangements at the request of customers, if deemed a safety requirement.

Privacy Policy

At TSSA, we are required to collect and maintain current customer data for the purposes of conducting our business and the furtherance of public safety. As an organization, we are committed to maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality and security of our customer's information. TSSA will take every measure possible to balance the right of our customers to privacy of information with the need of the organization to collect, use or disclose information for legitimate business purposes.

We will ensure compliance with all applicable provincial legislative requirements. It is our commitment to our customers that the information we collect about them will only be used for the purposes for which it was intended. Customer information will not be used for any other purpose including the advancement of discretionary business or for recruitment.

The Access and Privacy Code for Regulatory Responsibilities, accessible through the proceeding link, applies to information and personal information collected, used or disclosed by TSSA in the course of TSSA's administration of the designated Act.

The Access and Privacy Code for Commercial Activity of TSSA applies to personal information collected, used or disclosed by TSSA in the course of engaging in any commercial activity, which is subject to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Accordingly, this Code incorporates access and privacy requirements prescribed by that legislation.

Procurement Policy

The TSSA is committed to delivering value for services to stakeholders and the public. Entering into strategic agreements is part of this commitment. As such, we are dedicated to ensuring fair and equitable procurement practices are in place when goods and/or services are required.

The TSSA Procurement Policy outlines the requirements for TSSA to purchase goods and services, compliant with the Ontario Public Service Procurement Directive issued by the Management Board of Cabinet in December 2014. The TSSA Procurement Policy ensures that TSSA procurements will be conducted consistently, achieving four key principles:

Value for Money
Open, Transparent & Fair
Responsible Management
Geographically Neutral

Operational Policy

Requirements for Renewal, Reinstatement, and Requalification for Expired Authorizations

This policy applies to licences and registrations that authorize devices, facilities, equipment, and businesses to operate as required by the TSS Act and the regulations. Specifically, this policy informs the process for obtaining a current authorization after an authorization has lapsed and is no longer valid. Expired authorizations pose a significant threat to public safety. TSSA has adopted this policy in order to ensure that businesses, facilities, and equipment that are subject to reinstatement or requalification operate safely.

TSSA Logo Use

It is unlawful to use TSSA’s logo for any print, branding or electronic purposes. The TSSA logo is protected by applicable trademark, copyright and other intellectual property laws. Unauthorized use may cause confusion or public deception and depreciate TSSA’s goodwill as Ontario’s public safety regulator.

While TSSA-authorized companies and individuals may refer to TSSA by company name in text on their websites and marketing materials, TSSA does not grant the use of its logo without express permission. TSSA will only grant express permission to use its logo when TSSA is directly involved in delivering a safety initiative.

Any salespeople who misrepresent themselves as a TSSA inspector by wearing or showing a TSSA logo or claiming to be from TSSA should be reported to TSSA.

Any unauthorized use of TSSA’s brand identity or logo by any company or contractor, including those selling fuel-fired appliances or energy services, will face an aggressive legal response.

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