Reid's Heritage Homes Ltd. Guilty of Safety Violation

GUELPH, ON, Feb. 12 /CNW/ - Reid's Heritage Homes Ltd. in Guelph, Ontario, pled guilty to failing to comply with Ontario Regulation 210/01 (Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems) by damaging a pipeline without authority to do so, contrary to provincial requirements under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (the Act).

The Ontario Court of Justice in Guelph fined Reid's Heritage Homes Ltd. $20,000 , plus the 25% Victim Fine Surcharge, given the circumstances of the case.

Following an investigation conducted by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), an inspector for TSSA's Fuels Safety Program determined that, in August 2007 , Reid's Heritage Homes Ltd. damaged a 3/4 inch service tee on a six inch gas main pipeline located near 1417 Gordon St., Guelph, Ontario, causing the release of natural gas at a rate of about 40 pounds per square inch. Emergency response crews evacuated people from the area and closed a section of Gordon Street for several hours while the gas leak was contained.

TSSA's inspector determined that Reid's Heritage Homes did not hand dig within the three foot boundary limits of the gas pipeline as required by TSSA's Guidelines for Excavations and failed to comply with Ontario Regulation 210/01.

Appearing in court on February 5, 2010 , Reid's Heritage Homes Ltd. pled guilty and was subsequently fined $20,000 .

"Although there were no injuries as a result of Reid's safety violation," says John Marshall , TSSA's Director of Fuels Safety Program, "their actions had the potential to jeopardize public safety. Failing to comply with any regulation undermines TSSA's authority to protect public safety in the fuels sector."

"Prosecution for non-compliance with Ontario's safety laws is an important part of TSSA's safety mandate," reminds Marshall, "and it strongly reinforces our overall objective: to deter violators and increase public safety. While prosecution at times may be required, TSSA chiefly works with industry stakeholders through cooperation and compliance. It is one of the cornerstones of fuels safety."

About TSSA

TSSA is an innovative, self-funded, non-government organization focused on delivering public safety services. It provides not-for-profit regulatory safety services in industry sectors such as fuels, elevating devices, amusement devices, ski lifts, boilers and pressure vessels, operating engineers, and upholstered and stuffed articles. The organization's vision is to be the world leader in public safety services.

For further information: Gregory Kerr, Public Relations and Communications, Technical Standards and Safety Authority, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org