Uncertified Technician Fined $3,000
Friday, October 12 2007 @ 08:01 PM EDT
TSSA Update Fall 2007
A Fergus man recently pled guilty to a serious public safety violation, contrary to Ontario Regulation 215/01 for Fuel Industry Certificates under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (the Act).
With the maximum personal penalty of $50,000 or imprisonment for a term of not more than one year or both, the Ontario Court of Justice in Fergus fined the defendant $3,000 given the circumstances of the case.
During his employment between August, 21, 2001 and February 24, 2005, he regularly performed service and installation work on gas-fired equipment for which a gas technician certificate is required under the Ontario Regulation 215/01.
During this term of employment, he did not possess a valid gas technician certificate. Under subsection 5(1) of Ontario Regulation 215/01 made under the Act, an applicant only qualifies for a certificate after successfully completing an approved program, conducted by an accredited training organization that is approved by the Director and registered with the designated administrative authority.
He pled guilty to providing false information on an application for a Gas Technician 1 Certificate. In the application review meeting with TSSA, he additionally made false statements, claiming he was a holder of a gas technician certificate. “When you hire a technician,” says TSSA’s Training and Certification Advisor Greg Harbridge, “be certain that a legitimate certificate covers the scope of work to be performed. If uncertain, contact TSSA for verification.”
Just recently, a Picton man pled guilty to installing a gas furnace without holding a certificate for that express purpose, and was subsequently fined $3,000 with the standard 25% Victim Surcharge on August 3, 2007.
Bringing charges against individuals for working without an appropriate certificate, falsifying information, or failing to follow proper procedures and regulations, is part of TSSA’s safety mandate, and strongly reinforces prosecution objectives — to deter violators and increase public safety.
While TSSA has a progressive discipline enforcement policy, the organization works with industry stakeholders to achieve positive safety outcomes against a backdrop of compliance and cooperation.
HVAC TECH GROUP
http://www.hvactechgroup.com/article.php/20071012200154713