Glover-Hill Inc. Fined $10,000+ for Employing Unlicensed Worker

[Admin]

Download the TSSA Media Release - Here

Glover-Hill Inc. Fined $10,000+ for Employing Unlicensed Worker to Perform Boiler Maintenance at Healthcare Facility

Toronto, ON, May 3, 2023 – Glover-Hill Inc., an Ontario registered fuels contractor, pled guilty on Friday to one count of failing to take every reasonable precaution to ensure the company's employees are appropriately certified to perform gas work, an offense under the Technical Standards and Safety Act. The Ontario Court of Justice ordered Glover-Hill Inc. to pay a total fine of $10,000, plus a 25 per cent victim surcharge.

Under Glover-Hill Inc.'s employment, an employee that did not hold a Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) gas technician certificate, was dispatched to a healthcare facility and installed a shut-off valve on a natural gas boiler. Glover-Hill Inc. was aware that the employee was a plumber and that the employee did not hold the required TSSA certificate.

"Improperly performed gas work is a significant safety risk that can lead to injury and even death to those in the vicinity," said Sam Sadeghi, Director of TSSA's Fuels Safety Program. "That's why TSSA-registered contractors have a legal responsibility to ensure all of their employees are properly trained and certified to perform the work they are assigned. Those who fail to do so will be held accountable."

TSSA reminds the public to hire only registered contractors for the installation, service and inspection of fuel-fired appliances. TSSA provides direct oversight of all of Ontario's registered fuels contractors, which means a registered contractor's work — and the work of the contractor's technicians – is subject to TSSA audits for compliance with safety requirements. The public can find all of Ontario's registered contractors online and verify a company's or an individual's credentials by calling TSSA toll-free at 1-877-682-8772.

[Porcupinepuffer]

That's one expensive gas valve. The sad part is that his hourly rate for that employee was probably the same as what he pays a  decently skilled gas technician.