Toronto, ON, March 8, 2024 – The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is pleased to announce that TSSA President and CEO Bonnie Rose has once again been honoured as one of Canada’s Top Women in Safety by Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine.
“I’d like to congratulate Ms. Rose for once again being recognized with this prestigious honour, especially fitting as we mark International Women’s Day today,” said RJ. Falconi, Chair of TSSA’s Board of Directors. “Bonnie has steered TSSA through an ambitious transformation into an Outcome-Based Regulator that uses data insights and other modern regulatory tools to improve safety for Ontarians. Thanks to her strong leadership, TSSA has a phenomenal foundation upon which it can advance safety standards, better target safety risks to reduce harm and blaze new trails in safety.”
TSSA has launched innovative regulatory initiatives that enhance safety for the province. These efforts include establishing compliance standards and a compliance support program that leverage data for harm reduction.
Rose said, “Everyone at TSSA has worked together to improve safety. I’m very proud of the work we have done as One TSSA, working collaboratively with our valued stakeholders, for a safer Ontario.”
Rose was initially recognized as one of Canada’s Top Women in Safety in 2021. Her leadership profile is now showcased on COS Top Women in Safety 2024 website.
Canada’s Top Women in Safety is a nomination-based award. Nomination needs to include the nominee’s professional achievements over the past 12 months, initiatives and innovations, and contributions to the Occupational Health and Safety industry.
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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
Service delay expected during system shutdown from March 21 to 28, 2024, in preparation for the TSSA Client Portal, a one-stop shop for doing business with TSSA
March 7, 2024 — TSSA is performing some critical system upgrades that will require a system shutdown from noon on March 21 until 8:45 a.m. on March 28.
During and immediately after the system shutdown, TSSA’s response times may be delayed, and services may be limited for all sectors. We seek your understanding and patience as we perform these crucial system upgrades.
Customers in all sectors (Fuels, Elevating and Amusement Devices, Ski Lifts, Boilers and Pressure Vessels, and Operating Engineers) who have plans to submit requests or applications should do so before March 21 or after 8.45 a.m. on March 28, 2024.
The table below lists the affected services during the system shutdown.
Affected Services from noon on March 21 to 28, 8.45 a.m.
Service | Impact |
| Customer Service | From March 21 to 28, TSSA’s Customer Contact Centre will be available to answer general inquiries and assist customers in navigating the website. |
Prepayment Portal | - Applications that require prepayment can be submitted through the Prepayment Portal during the transition period. - Applications submitted through the Prepayment Portal between March 21 and March 28 will be processed after March 28, 2024. |
Invoice Payment Portal | - Credit card payments for invoiced services or authorizations can be made through the Online Payment Portal. - All payments submitted through the Invoice Payment Portal between March 21 and March 28 will be processed after March 28, 2024, and posted to customer accounts. |
Non-Credit Card Payments | All payments other than credit card payments submitted to TSSA between March 21 and March 28 will be processed after March 28, 2024, and posted to customer accounts. |
Issuance of Invoices | Invoices for services performed between March 21 and March 28 will be issued after March 28, 2024. |
Request for Public Information | Requests for public information received between March 21 and March 28, will be processed after March 28, 2024. |
New Account or Updates to Account Information | From March 21 to 28, 2024: - New accounts cannot be created - Account information (for example, address change, change of device ownership, etc.) cannot be updated. |
Engineering Services | Engineering customers should anticipate longer processing times for engineering services during and shortly after the transition period. |
| Inspection Services | Scheduled inspections will continue as normal. To schedule or reschedule an inspection, contact Inspection Scheduling Agents at 1-833-WFP-TSSA or send an email to: - EDAD Ski: EDADInspection@tssa.org - BPV/OE: inspectionscheduling@tssa.org - Fuels: fuelsinspection@tssa.org Customers are encouraged to schedule time-sensitive inspections taking place during the transition period as early as possible. For all reportable incidents, please contact the Spills Action Centre by calling 1-877-682-TSSA (8772) and choosing option 1. |
Inspection Reports | Customers may receive a temporary inspection report during the transition period. Standard inspection reports will follow once the system shutdown ends on March 28, 2024. |
Boilers & Pressure Vessels (BPV COI) - Certificate of Inspection | From March 21 to March 28: - General inquiries related to the status of a COI or requests for reprints will continue. - Changes to address or updates to technical data captured under TSSA’s inventory (devices and facilities) records cannot be processed from March 21 to 28, 2024. |
Portal for Boilers & Pressure Vessels - Certificate of Inspection (BPV COI Portal) | As the BPV COI Portal will not be accessible to insurers, inspection agencies or owners between March 21 and March 28, the following services will not be available: - Changes to address or updates to technical data captured under TSSA’s inventory (devices and facilities) records cannot be processed from March 21 to 28, 2024. - Records of Inspection for boilers and pressure vessels cannot be submitted from March 21 to 28, 2024. - Insurer cancellation requests cannot be processed during the transition period. |
Licences, Registrations and Other Items Mailed Out by TSSA | Mailings of licences, registrations and other items will resume on March 28, 2024. |
Exam Results/ Individual Authorizations | Exam results and individual certificates (authorizations) will not be officially issued from March 21 to 28, 2024. Note: Exam scheduling activities and marking will continue, and candidates will be notified of the results via email. |
Check out the latest updates in the January/February 2024 issue of the Safety Dispatch e-newsletter, your source of safety news and initiatives across TSSA’s regulated sectors.
Keep your fingers on the pulse of safety developments.
Technical safety is improving in Ontario with fewer serious injuries over the past few years. Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)’s aim is to reduce administrative burden and improve efficiency so that everyone can focus their time on what matters – reducing the potential for harm.
As a not-for-profit public safety regulator, TSSA charges fees on a cost-recovery basis that reflect the true cost of providing public safety services.
Fees are reviewed annually to ensure that TSSA is adequately resourced to fulfil its safety mandate and regulatory responsibilities. After conducting a thorough fee review, TSSA has determined that a fee increase is necessary across all sectors. TSSA’s efficiency measures have meant that over the last decade TSSA’s fee changes have been lower than inflation.
Fee increase of 5% for all safety programs
For the purpose of cost recovery, TSSA is implementing a 5% increase to all fees effective May 1, 2024. Averaged over three years this puts TSSA’s fee increases at 2.94% which is less than the 4.57% average rate of inflation over the same period.
Ease of doing business with TSSA: introducing the TSSA Client Portal
TSSA is investing in a new Client Portal that will make it easier for regulated parties to perform online transactions with TSSA. Starting from April 2024, the portal will launch in stages, providing customers with access to an increasing range of digital services. These include creating and updating account information, viewing exam results, paying outstanding invoices, submitting applications online and many more. Please visit our website www.tssa.org for more updates about this portal.
General reminders: the steps to minimize your fees
TSSA has already adopted a streamlined fee structure that charges fixed fees for safety administration and oversight. Additional billing for inspections occurs when more than one follow-up inspection is required due to non-compliance. Customers with a good safety record can avoid additional charges for repeated follow-up inspections. To comply with regulatory obligations and save costs, customers are encouraged to take the following steps:
- Remain compliant with all safety regulations and codes.
- Make sure your workers have the appropriate training and certifications that apply to them.
- Provide ongoing safety training and education for your workers.
- Make sure all required documentation is in order.
- Provide any support needed for TSSA to complete an inspection.
- Plan ahead so you do not pay additional fees for rush services.
- Keep your authorizations (licences, permits, registrations, certificates) current.
Keep your contact and device information up to date.
TSSA is introducing more compliance standards that target high-risk hazards identified through an analysis of historical inspection and incident data. These standards provide regulated industries with an enhanced understanding of their obligations and help ensure public safety. TSSA’s fee structure supports TSSA’s transformation to an Outcome-Based Regulator by enabling the organization to focus its resources on high-risk areas that pose the greatest threat to public safety, on making further service improvements, and on investigating and following up on unauthorized owners and workers.
Paying your fees
TSSA accepts credit card payments for invoices through TSSA’s Online Payment Portal.
Applications must be submitted and paid for in advance through TSSA’s Prepayment Portal.
Please visit the TSSA Client Portal to sign up for paperless invoicing.
The Consumers Advisory Council is seeking to recruit a member to add to the broad range of public and consumer interests and perspectives on the Council.
The mandate of the Consumers Advisory Council (CAC) is to provide independent, non-partisan advice and guidance on any aspect of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority’s (TSSA’s) operations which:
- has an impact on the public or on consumers who are purchasers or users of products and/or devices regulated by TSSA; or
- affects public safety of activities regulated by TSSA.
Such advice and guidance will assist TSSA in successfully achieving its mission to enhance public safety.
In support of its mandate, the council provides the President and CEO with observations, identifies gaps, and recommends opportunities for improvement with respect to TSSA’s services, policies and actions, including but not limited to TSSA’s:
- reporting of, and response to, safety incidents and trends;
- provision of public safety education; and
- reporting of, and responding to, specific issues and trends.
Visit the TSSA website to access information about the Consumers Advisory Council, including the minutes of past meetings.
If you are interested in applying, please submit a letter of interest and resume later than March 29, 2024. The letter of intent should include a statement of the applicant’s background and interests relevant to the Council, such as relevant previous work, consumer or service advocacy, or volunteerism with consumers, and any special interests in one or more of the technical areas regulated by TSSA or public safety in general. Please submit both the resume and letter of interest to:
Olga Sousa-Dias
(Acting) Council Coordinator
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
345 Carlingview Drive
Toronto, Ontario
M9W 6N9
Tel: 416-734-3320
Fax: 416-231-1060
Email: tssaadvisorycouncil@tssa.org
Sign up as a new user to access Portal services & highest-volume applications
The TSSA Client Portal is set to launch in April and will make it easier for regulated industry customers to perform online transactions.
Here’s what you need to know:
- All customers need to sign up as new users of the TSSA Client Portal before they will be able to conduct any transactions.
- The following online services will be available on the Portal in April:
- Creating and updating accounts
- Submit a request to write an exam
- Viewing exam results
- Submit and pay for applications
- Pay invoices
- The Portal will initially offer access to the highest-volume applications listed in the table below.
- All other applications will continue to be submitted through the Service Prepayment Portal via TSSA’s website until more applications are added to the TSSA Client Portal.
From April 29, 2024, the highest-volume applications will only be available on the TSSA Client Portal. Customers who may have started filling out an existing application will have to complete and submit it via our existing Prepayment portal no later than Friday, April 26.
List of highest-volume applications on the TSSA Client Portal:
| Service Type | Application |
| Inspection Scheduling | - Request for Installation Inspection of a Boiler & Pressure Vessel (BPV) - Request for BPV Inspections: New Manufacturing (Shop Fabrication), Repair, Alteration, Welder/Brazer Qualification |
| Public Information | Public Information Requests for documents |
| Training, Certifications & Exams | Submit a request to write an exam |
| Customer Management | - Request for Change of Ownership (for customers of Fuels and Elevating & Amusement Devices only) - Register in Ontario as a Fuel Safety Contractor - Request for Ontario Licence to Transport Fuel |
| Boilers & Pressure Vessels | - Apply for BPV Design Registration - Request for BPV Variance |
| Licensing & Registrations | Renew Amusement Device Permit |
TSSA will be providing multiple resources to help customers navigate the Client Portal. Please watch for future communications on TSSA’s website.
Rebrand signals a fresh approach to promote safety in Ontario
Over the past few months, you have likely noticed a new look for TSSA, including the design and approach of our new website and social media channels. Those changes are part of a larger effort to refresh our brand.
For us, that means we are:
- Changing the way our printed and online materials look so they are more approachable and easier to read
- Signalling that we are approaching our work in fresh, new ways
- Promoting the fact that we are becoming a more modern, collaborative, Outcome-Based Regulator, and
- Demonstrating our redoubled commitment to partnering for a safe Ontario
As long as there are safety concerns in any part of the industries we regulate, we have work to do as a key player in our provincial safety system.
We are using our systems, data and expertise at TSSA to evolve as an organization to provide Ontario with more advanced approaches to safety regulation. We work with all our stakeholders, including contractors, operators, owners, industry experts and the public on improving safety and preventing harm.
We are TSSA: Partnering for a Safe Ontario
Related: View the infographic on what an Outcome-Based Regulator means and how this regulatory approach leads to safety outcomes.
As we wrap up 2023, TSSA extends our sincere appreciation to our community of stakeholders, including the Ontario government, Advisory Council members, equipment designers, manufacturers, installers, maintainers, contractors, owners, insurers, consumers, and the public. Thank you for your valuable contributions to our joint safety efforts.
With 2024 on the horizon, we look forward to another year of strong partnership with you to keep Ontario safe today and tomorrow. Wishing you a joyous and safe holiday season and a fabulous 2024!
Holiday Hours
While the office is open to visitors by appointment only, please note the following changes to TSSA’s regular business hours:
- On December 22nd and December 29th, TSSA staff are available from 8 a.m. to noon.
- On December 25th, December 26th, and January 1st, TSSA will be closed.
- On all other business days, you can reach a TSSA representative during regular office hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by phone at 1-877-682-8772 or email customerservices@tssa.org.
Self-service portal will make it easier to submit the most common applications
TSSA is launching its Customer Portal in April 2024, which will make it possible for regulated industry customers to perform online transactions quickly and easily. The portal is the final phase of the OASIS project to modernize TSSA’s systems and an integral part of TSSA’s evolution in managing safety in Ontario as an Outcome-Based Regulator.
The portal is launching in stages and will enable customers to create and update accounts, submit a request to write an exam, view exam results, see issued orders and eventually view inspection reports and authorizations (permits, licences or certificates). Customers will also be able to submit and pay for applications.
The Customer Portal will initially offer access to TSSA’s highest-volume applications, with more applications to be added throughout the coming year.
Service Type | Application |
Inspection Scheduling | Request for Installation Inspection of a Boiler & Pressure Vessel (BPV) Request for BPV Inspections: New Manufacturing (Shop Fabrication), Repair, Alteration, Welder/Brazer Qualification |
Public Information | Request For Public Information |
Training, Certifications & Exams | Submit a request to write an exam |
Customer Management | Request for Change of Ownership (for customers of Fuels and Elevating & Amusement Devices only) Register in Ontario as a Fuel Safety Contractor Request for Ontario Licence to Transport Fuel |
Boilers & Pressure Vessels | Apply for BPV Design Registration Request for BPV Variance |
Licensing & Registrations | Renew Amusement Device Permit |
All other applications will continue to be accessed through the existing Prepayment Portal linked through TSSA’s website until more applications are added to the Customer Portal in the future.
Here’s a look at what customers will be able to do in the new Customer Portal:
Feature | What Customers Can Do |
Account Dashboard | - Log into your account dashboard securely - Having an overview of transactions with TSSA |
Account Management | Update business information (such as changes to contact details, primary/billing/shipping address, contacts and account connections, including third-party roles who work on your account, etc.) |
Account Creation | Create accounts: - Individuals: Account for a personal certificate holder applying for a TSSA certificate (for example a gas technician, an operating engineer, etc.) |
Application Submission & Document Upload | Make submissions online for the 10 highest-volume applications. Applications made via the portal will trigger service initiation, work-order creation and prepayment. |
Exam Results & Request Submission | Certificate holders can: - View exam results online |
Payments & Prepayments to TSSA | The following will be available via the Customer Portal: - Prepay for certain applications online using a credit card Customers will continue to use the existing Prepayment Portal to pay for other applications that are not available on the Customer Portal. |
TSSA will be providing easy instructions and how-to videos to support customers in using the new portal. We will continue to provide updates on the portal through TSSA’s website, the Safety Dispatch newsletter and other channels.