TSSA Prioritizes Public Safety during Fraud Prevention Month with Launch of 'Trunk Slammers' Enforcement Program

TORONTO, March 2, 2020 /CNW/ - Ontario's Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) kicks off Fraud Prevention Month this March with the launch of its first-ever 'Trunk Slammers' Enforcement Program.

Committed to protecting Ontarians from dangers posed by poor technical workmanship on their fuel-burning appliances, TSSA is concentrating on the prosecution of trunk slammers – with a particular focus on repeat offenders. Trunk slammers, who operate from the trunk of their cars, are individuals who provide gas services without proper certification and registration.

Uncertified gas technicians and unregistered contractors, aka 'trunk slammers', are not certified by or registered with TSSA. Therefore, their work on furnaces and other fuel-burning equipment is not subject to TSSA audits for compliance with safety requirements; their knowledge, competency and qualifications cannot be validated; and they do not receive updates on safety information and training. Furthermore, there is no assurance they will comply with safety regulations, since they have already disregarded the law by working without being certified or registered. They are known for performing less expensive labour with cheaper materials, hence putting the Ontario public at risk of harm through poor craftsmanship.

Well over half of TSSA's top areas of concern of all its regulated sectors are related to fuels.

"Inadequate installation and poor work are major contributing factors to the fuels- and CO-related (carbon monoxide-related) risks we're seeing in people's homes," said John Marshall, director of TSSA's Fuels Safety Program. "That's why it is imperative that the public know how to protect themselves, as fuels safety is a shared responsibility between TSSA, the industry and people of Ontario."

"Our Enforcement Program is just one of several ways TSSA is taking action this year to bolster consumer confidence and strengthen protections for the people of Ontario," said Bonnie Rose, president & chief executive officer, TSSA.

TSSA oversees fuel safety in Ontario through public education, certifications, inspections, investigations and more. Visit the TSSA website for more information on the 'Trunk Slammers' Enforcement Program and fuels safety awareness news and resources.

About TSSA

Throughout Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) enforces provincial safety regulations and enhances public safety. TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, enforcement and prosecution activities.

For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org.

SOURCE Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)

Alexandra Campbell, Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Technical Standards and Safety Authority, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected]