Acronym
Fuels
TSSA and Local Fire Departments Team Up on CO Safety
TORONTO, ON, November 3, 2025 –– Carbon Monoxide (CO), often dubbed the ‘Silent Killer”, continues to be a leading cause of accidental poisoning in Ontario, with approximately 65% of all CO incidents occurring where people should feel safest: at home.
As part of its ongoing efforts to deliver CO safety education, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is once again teaming up with local fire and emergency services to increase CO awareness by launching one of its community CO safety campaigns in various communities across central and eastern Ontario.
The message: knowledge can – and does – save lives. Previous campaigns have reached thousands of residents, successfully boosting their levels of CO knowledge and the simple steps to take that reduce risks. Building on these proven campaigns, TSSA is rolling out new resources this fall to broaden the reach even further. Ontarians can now access a series of short, sharable videos explaining CO safety basics, along with a new “Kids CO Activity Sheet” designed to engage younger audiences. All resources are available online at COsafety.ca.
Starting the week of November 3, 2025 CO safety materials and messages will land directly in mailboxes, on social media feeds, and through various other communication channels. This, together with the ongoing public education efforts of community fire and emergency services departments, will provide vital information to assist residents in reducing CO risks in their homes.
“During the cold weather months, there’s naturally an increased use of furnaces and fireplaces, and even though these fuel-burning appliances may be safely designed, they can emit deadly levels of CO gas if not properly installed, inspected and maintained regularly,” says Owen Kennedy, TSSA’s Director of Fuels Safety. “While CO presents serious hazards, residents can significantly reduce CO risks and any potential harm by taking these two important steps,” adds Kennedy.
- Have all fuel-burning appliances inspected annually through the services of a TSSA-
registered fuel contractor. To find a TSSA-registered contractor, use the Find A Registered Contractor Tool. - Have working, certified CO alarms in your home, regularly test them, change batteries and replace them in accordance with manufacturer’s instruction.
“It’s also important to remember to never use any fuel-burning appliances indoors that are specifically designed and approved for outdoor use only,” adds Kennedy.
On average, Ontario homes have roughly 4-6 fuel-burning appliances that produce CO. While these appliances may be safely designed, like many other commonly used items, they must be properly operated and maintained.
The attached backgrounder provides additional information on carbon monoxide.
Stay one step ahead of CO – Beat the Silent Killer. TAKEACTION. THINKSAFE. COsafety.ca
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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 includes public education, authorization, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, compliance support, enforcement, and prosecution activities.
www.tssa.org
For more information or to arrange media availability, please contact:
TSSA
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications, Stakeholder Relations
and Customer Service
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
Email: media@tssa.org
TORONTO, ON, November 3, 2025 – Every year, Ontario homes are the location of nearly 65 per cent of all CO incidents. CO also remains a leading cause of unintentional poisoning. With this in mind and to raise awareness of CO risks, four of the provinces’ leading safety organizations are teaming up to fight this “silent killer”. The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), Ontario Poison Centre (OPC), Parachute, Canada’s national charity dedicated to injury prevention, and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) are combining efforts for Ontario’s annual CO Awareness Week, running November 1 to 7, to drive home a few critical messages.
The four organizations work year-round to increase carbon monoxide awareness and help Ontarians take practical steps to reduce risks at home. Each brings its own lens and focus to the challenge.
This fall, TSSA is once again launching one of its community CO safety campaigns. Previous campaigns have reached thousands of residents, successfully increasing their levels of CO knowledge and the actions to take to reduce risks. Building on these proven campaigns, TSSA is rolling out new initiatives this fall to broaden the reach even further. Ontarians can now access a series of short, sharable videos explaining CO safety basics, along with a new “Kids CO Activity Sheet” designed to engage younger audiences. All resources are available online at COsafety.ca.
These efforts, combined with the safety resources and education materials available on the websites of OPC, Parachute and SickKids, are making it easier for Ontarians to access up-to-date, reliable information and practical tools to reduce the risks and potential of harms of CO poisoning.
This unified approach underscores a shared commitment to CO safety with clear focus on helping all Ontario residents to reduce CO risks in their homes. By combining voices, resources and expertise, TSSA, OPC, Parachute, and SickKids are helping residents in Ontario take simple but vital steps to keep themselves, family and friends safe.
Quotes:
TSSA
“Our public education efforts are two-fold: increasing CO awareness and providing clear actions to reduce CO risk” says Owen Kennedy, Director, Fuels Safety Program.“ It’s all about scheduling an inspection of their fuel-burning appliances and having certified, working CO alarms in their homes; two key actions to protect themselves and their loved ones from CO risks in their home.”
OPC
“CO is a leading cause of inadvertent poisoning in Ontario and remains a major cause of preventable harm.” says, Dr. Emily Austin, Medical Director.” OPC telephone service provides guidance to the public on what to do in the event of a possible CO exposure and supports health care providers in managing affected patients. We are pleased to be working with TSSA, Parachute and SickKids on these important CO public education initiatives.”
Parachute
“When Canadians think of sources of poisoning, they aren’t aware that carbon monoxide is a leading cause of unintentional poisoning deaths in Canada and North America,” says Pamela Fuselli, President & CEO at Parachute. “It’s important to generate more awareness of CO risks and better understanding of the steps Canadians can take to better protect their homes and families. Collaborating with TSSA, OPC and SickKids is an opportunity to extend our reach to enhance the public’s level of CO knowledge.”
SickKids
“Children are a particularly at-risk group for many poisons, including carbon monoxide, due to their smaller size, higher metabolic rate, and developing bodies” explains Emma Schmidt, Injury Prevention Specialist at SickKids. “As experts in child health, it is important for us to help ensure that parents and caregivers are aware of the risks and understand how to reduce them. The new initiatives led by TSSA are another important resource to provide essential information about CO awareness and prevention.”
The attached backgrounder provides additional information on carbon monoxide.
Stay one step ahead of CO – Beat the Silent Killer. TAKEACTION. THINKSAFE. COsafety.ca
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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 includes public education, authorization, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, compliance support, enforcement, and prosecution activities.
www.tssa.org
About Ontario Poison Centre
The Ontario Poison Centre (OPC) is a telephone toxicology consultation service that provides expert poison advice 24 hours a day to the public, emergency service personnel and health-care professionals across the province. The OPC participates in the ongoing care of the poisoned patient by following the clinical course of hospitalization, assessing the effectiveness of treatment recommendations and providing additional treatment recommendations. Our toxicology experts will collaborate with other health-care professionals to advocate for optimal, current and evidence-based care of the poisoned patient. The OPC is operated and supported by The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto.
www.ontariopoisoncentre.com
About Parachute
Parachute, founded in 2012 through the amalgamation of four charities in the injury prevention field, has become Canada’s leader in injury prevention focused on three key areas where people are unintentionally injured: in the home, at play, and on the move. We educate and advocate for preventing serious injury in our homes, in sports and recreation and on our roads.
www.parachute.ca
About Sick Kids
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), affiliated with the University of Toronto, is Canada's most research-intensive hospital and the largest centre dedicated to improving children's health in the country.
With passionate and dedicated staff, SickKids is much more than a hospital. We work each day to provide the best in child and family-centred care, pioneer ground-breaking clinical and scientific advancements, and train the next generation of experts in child health. Together, we are advancing Precision Child Health, a movement to individualize care for every child based on what makes them unique - from their genetic code to their postal code. More information on injury prevention at SickKids can be found at: https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/injuryprev
For more information or to arrange media availability, please contact:
TSSA
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications, Stakeholder Relations
and Customer Service
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
Email: media@tssa.org
Parachute
Kelley Teahen
Vice President, Communications and Marketing
Telephone: 647-776-5128
Email: media@parachute.ca
SickKids/OPC
Sarah Warr
Team Lead, External Communications & Public Affairs
The Hospital for Sick Children
Email: sarah.warr@sickkids.ca
Toronto, ON, October 6, 2025 — The Ontario Court of Justice has fined Jegatheeswaran Velautham $20,000, plus a 25% victim surcharge, for damaging a natural gas line and failing to report the strike. Mr. Velautham pleaded guilty to violating the Gaseous Fuels Regulation under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000.
The incident occurred on one evening in August 2023, as Mr. Velautham was reversing a transport truck and trailer into a loading dock at a multi-unit industrial-commercial building in Scarborough, Ontario. While reversing, the trailer struck a natural gas riser pipe and two manifolded gas meters, rupturing the gas line and damaging the meters. Following the collision, the driver disconnected the trailer from the tractor and left the scene without reporting the incident to authorities.
The collision caused a continuous release of pressurized natural gas overnight, creating a significant risk of injury, fatality, or property damage had the gas ignited and caused a fire or explosion. The leak was discovered the following morning and the gas supply was shut off by the fire department. The building was evacuated and no injuries were reported.
“This incident was serious because it involved not just one but two safety non-compliances: damaging a gas pipe and then failing to report it. That compounded the risk to the public, though we are fortunate that, in this case, no one was hurt,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of Fuel Safety at the Technical Standards and Safety Authority. “Everyone has a responsibility to help keep our communities safe.”
TSSA reminds the public that any damage to gas facilities or infrastructure 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 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, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
Email: media@tssa.org
Toronto, ON, October 3, 2025 — Kushdeep Gill, owner of Keepright Home Comfort, has been fined $20,000 plus a 25% victim surcharge after pleading guilty to an offence under Ontario Regulation 212/01 (Gaseous Fuels) of the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000. Mr. Gill was found guilty of unsafe fuel works, which resulted in the carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning of three children.
Mr. Gill, a certified G2 gas technician and TSSA-registered contractor, had been hired in May 2024 to install a furnace at a residence operating as a rental vacation home in Burlington, Ontario. During their stay in the property the following November, the children experienced carbon monoxide symptoms, including lethargy, headaches, and vomiting.
Mr. Gill shut off and later restored the home’s gas supply as part of his work at the property. When doing so, he was required to ensure that all gas appliances in the residence were operating safely. However, the property’s pool heater, which was designed for outdoor use, was being used indoors. The investigation by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) found the pool heater was improperly vented and had a faulty safety valve that failed to shut it off when unsafe. The pool heater caused a gas leak that led to the CO exposure.
“Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, which is highly poisonous, invisible, odourless, and tasteless. It is the responsibility of certified fuels contractors to ensure the safety of their work. Overlooking critical safety aspects can have serious consequences, like carbon monoxide poisoning, as we have seen in this case,” said Owen Kennedy, TSSA’s Director of Fuel Safety. “As the regulator, we will continue to uphold and enforce safety standards, which include prosecuting unsafe fuels work.”
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, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
Email: media@tssa.org
Toronto, ON, October 2, 2025 – Quebec-based company Franc Metal & Frères has pleaded guilty to two offences under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (TSS Act) in connection with the sale of an unapproved mobile food truck to an Ontario business. The Ontario Court of Justice has imposed a fine of $30,000, along with a 25% victim surcharge.
Franc Metal & Frères was found to have sold an unapproved 2010-built food truck equipped with propane-fueled appliances to a catering business in Carleton Place, Ontario. The vehicle had not been certified for propane use as required by the Ontario Regulation 212/01: Gaseous Fuels of the TSSA Act. The company also misled the purchaser by affixing a falsified field approval label to the truck, falsely suggesting it met all safety standards set by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).
“The use of propane in food trucks can pose risks to owners, operators, and customers due to movement, vibration, and the presence of ignition sources on board. That’s why these vehicles must meet provincial safety regulations,” said Owen Kennedy, TSSA’s Director of Fuel Safety. “Selling an unapproved food truck with a fake TSSA approval label is irresponsible, and those who cut corners will face legal consequences.”
TSSA reminds businesses that all food trucks built after February 13, 2006, are required to have a Field Approval from TSSA or be certified and labelled by a certification organization that is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada. For those who wish to verify the Field Approval of a food truck, please contact TSSA at 1-877-682-8772 or via email at customerservices@tssa.org.
Approved food trucks must also be inspected annually by a TSSA-certified technician.
To learn more about food truck approval requirements, please visit TSSA’s website.
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, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety.
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
Email: media@tssa.org
Accredited training providers of OBT 3 and OBT 2 must update training programs and study materials and submit them to TSSA for review
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has updated the Oil Burner Technician 3 (OBT 3) and OBT 2 curricula to align with the latest CSA B139 Code, which TSSA will adopt in the coming months.
Accredited training providers (ATPs) of the OBT 3 and OBT 2 programs are required to revise their program and materials to align with the updated curricula and submit them to TSSA by February 28, 2026, for approval.
Key changes include the addition of introductory modules from the Gas Technician curriculum and content related to portable generators and biofuel. The revised curriculum and a summary of changes are as follows:
- Oil Burner Technician 2 (OBT2) Curriculum
- Oil Burner Technician 3 (OBT3) Curriculum
- Summary of Changes to Oil Burner Technician 2 (OBT2) Curriculum
- Summary of Changes to Oil Burner Technician 3 (OBT3) Curriculum
TSSA will implement the new exams to align with these changes starting June 1, 2026. Training providers are required to implement the updated curricula to ensure their training programs prepare students for the new exams.
TSSA will send an invitation for a virtual meeting in the coming weeks to address any questions ATPs may have. If there are questions during the interim, please reach out to certificationandexaminations@tssa.org.
This news was shared with OBT 2 & 3 accredited training providers.