Download the TSSA Media Release - Here (http://www.hvactechgroup.com/article.php/20180128005717477)
QuoteFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Toronto, ON, January 23, 2018) – Lakeside Construction Ltd., a Mississauga contractor, was recently convicted by the Ontario Court of Justice for damaging a gas pipeline, contrary to the Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems Regulation (Ontario 210/01).
In August 2016, a TSSA inspector received notice of a natural gas pipeline strike on Harrop Drive in Milton, Ontario and upon further investigation laid a charge against Lakeside Construction Ltd. for damaging the pipeline. The Ontario Court of Justice found that Lakeside Construction hit the residential pipeline with an excavator, rupturing a high-pressure 1-inch steel pipe, allowing natural gas to spew into the air. Lakeside subsequently pled guilty in court.
Lakeside Construction was fined $25,000 for causing damage to a pipeline, plus the mandatory 25% victim fine surcharge, for a total $31,250.
"Hitting a pipeline with pressurized gas is a significant risk to public safety," said John Marshall, Director of TSSA's Fuels Safety Program. "It can cause explosions, damage and cause injury and death. That's why Ontario has stringent laws around pipeline safety, including the rule to obtain a locate before breaking ground, requiring hand-digging within one metre of utility markings and where, in the interest of safety, requiring the supervision of the gas distributor if digging within 1.5 metres of a pipeline," added Mr. Marshall.
TSSA reminds the public that any excavation work must comply with Ontario's safety laws, including obtaining a valid pipeline locate from the license holder or gas utility before breaking ground and not using mechanical equipment while digging within one metre of a pipeline. Free locates can be obtained from Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 or visit http://on1call.com.
Ontario Regulation 210/01 prohibits interfering with or damaging a pipeline and any damage 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 toll-free at 1-877-682-8772.