Key Takeaways:
- The Operating Engineer Compliance Standard takes effect on April 13, 2026.
- High-risk non-compliances may lead to immediate action or shutdown.
- Low- and medium-risk issues require timely resolution, but no follow-up inspection is required.
The Operating Engineer Compliance Standard takes effect on April 13, 2026. The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will apply the Operating Engineer Compliance Standard when conducting periodic inspections of power plants in Ontario.
A Compliance Standard is a list of high-risk non-compliances that TSSA inspectors use during periodic inspections to focus on addressing high-risk non-compliances that must be addressed promptly.
By setting clear expectations for how power-plant owners and operators need to prepare and respond to periodic inspections, the Operating Engineer Compliance Standard enhances both the consistency of periodic inspections and the safety of power plants across Ontario.
High-risk non-compliances may require immediate compliance (0 days), could result in a shutdown, or may be given more than 14 days to resolve, depending on practical considerations and circumstances.
If high-risk non-compliances are found during a periodic inspection, TSSA will:
- Issue an order(s) requiring corrective action
- Conduct a follow-up inspection to confirm compliance
- If compliance is not confirmed within the specified time, further enforcement action will be taken, including possible shutdown
Other non-compliances, categorized as safety tasks (low- and medium-risk), will be noted on the inspection report. Owners and operators of power plants in Ontario are responsible for resolving these safety tasks within the timeline specified in the inspection report. If only safety tasks are found during a periodic inspection, TSSA will not conduct a follow-up inspection.
For more information, please visit the Operating Engineer Compliance Standard webpage.
This news item was sent to Operating Engineering plant operators and web subscribers.