Minister Joins ESA to Honour 2013 Exceptional Electrical Safety Leaders

HGTV's Bryan Baeumler among recipients of Ontario Electrical Safety Awards

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 24, 2013 /CNW/ - Everyone has a part to play in electrical safety, and each year a few outstanding individuals and organizations stand out in their commitment to building a safer province.  Their contributions were honoured yesterday with the presentation of the 2013 Ontario Electrical Safety Awards recognizing exceptional contributions in three categories.

Ontario's Minister of Consumer Services, the Honourable Tracy MacCharles, joined the Electrical Safety Authority's (ESA's) Chair of the Board John Wiersma, President and CEO David Collie, and Chief Public Safety Officer, Scott Saint, to present the awards to this year's recipients:

• Consumer/Home Safety: Bryan Baeumler (Host) & Paul Rhynold (Licensed Electrical Contractor) - HGTV's Leave it to Bryan for their consistent efforts to highlight the dangers in home renovations where work is done without a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) and to drive home the message that an LEC is the only company legally allowed to do electrical work in a home, helping to ensure the work meets the requirements of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
  
  
• Powerline Safety:  London Hydro for its ongoing commitment to the safety of its workers and the public through the creation of their Incident Alert Safety Bulletin, designed to share information about incidents and near-misses with employees to raise awareness and prevent future incidents.
  
  
• Worker Safety: Roy Burch - Guelph Hydro for his ongoing efforts to improve electrical safety training and education for First Responders when they encounter situations with new technologies such as solar rooftop panels and electric vehicles.

• Chief Public Safety Officer's Special Recognition for Electrical Safety: Dr. Manual Gomez and his team, St. John's Rehab Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute for their ongoing contribution to electrical safety and preventative strategies, and to the care of survivors of electrical injuries.

"ESA's goal is to eliminate electrical fatalities and injuries in Ontario and ensure the highest level of public electrical safety," said Scott Saint, Chief Public Safety Officer, Electrical Safety Authority. "From educating the public and workers about electrical hazards to spreading the message of the importance of hiring a licensed electrical contractor (LEC), this year's winners epitomize the leadership, commitment, and innovation necessary to attain that goal.  Their achievements make Ontario safer for all of us. Thanks to the efforts of this year's winners and the industry and all ESA staff, electrical-related fatalities have decreased by 38 per cent over the last five years."

The awards were established four years ago to formally recognize the important contributions of individuals and organizations toward reducing electrical fatalities, serious injuries and loss.

Quick Facts

• Only electrical contractors licensed by the Electrical Contractor Registration Agency of the Electrical Safety Authority are authorized to offer electrical services in Ontario.
• Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs) help ensure work is performed to the requirements of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
• For a list of LECs in Ontario, please visit: www.pluginsafely.ca or call 1-877-ESA-SAFE (372-7233).

The Electrical Safety Authority
The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is an administrative authority acting on behalf of the Government of Ontario with specific responsibilities under the Electricity Act and the Safety and Consumer Statutes Administration Act.  As part of its mandate, ESA is responsible for administering regulation in four key areas: the Ontario Electrical Safety Code; licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians; electrical distribution safety; and electrical product safety.

Image with caption: "Paul Rhynold, RK Electric, 2013 Ontario Electrical Safety Award Recipient (CNW Group/Electrical Safety Authority)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130924_C9964_PHOTO_EN_31247.jpg

Image with caption: "From Left to Right: Hon. Minister Tracy MacCharles, Ministry of Consumer Services, Roy Burch, Manager Safety & Loss Prevention, Guelph Hydro, John Wiersma, Board Chair, Electrical Safety Authority (CNW Group/Electrical Safety Authority)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130924_C9964_PHOTO_EN_31250.jpg

Image with caption: "From Left to Right: Scott Saint, Chief Public Safety Officer, ESA, Hon. Minister Tracy MacCharles, Ministry of Consumer Services, Dr. Manuel Gomez, St. John's Rehab Foundation, SRI, John Wiersma, Board Chair, Electrical Safety Authority (CNW Group/Electrical Safety Authority)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130924_C9964_PHOTO_EN_31249.jpg

Image with caption: "From Left to Right: Hon. Minister Tracy MacCharles, Ministry of Consumer Services, Ken Walsh, Chief Engineer & VP Operations, London Hydro, John Wiersma, Board Chair, Electrical Safety Authority (CNW Group/Electrical Safety Authority)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130924_C9964_PHOTO_EN_31248.jpg

SOURCE: Electrical Safety Authority

Kara Fraser
Electrical Safety Authority
905-712-5387/ [email protected]