Uni-Tech Elevator Pleads Guilty to Safety Violation

NEWMARKET, ON, Nov. 23 /CNW/ - Uni-Tech Elevator and Lift Inc. in Toronto , Ontario, pled guilty to failing to comply with welding requirements when constructing an elevating device, contrary to provincial requirements under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (the Act) and the Elevating Devices Code Adoption Document (CAD).

The Ontario Court of Justice in Newmarket fined Uni-Tech Elevator and Lift Inc. $10,000 , 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 Elevating Devices Safety Program determined that, in the summer of 2006, Uni-Tech Elevator and Lift Inc. constructed and installed an elevating device that did not comply with the certification and welding requirements of the Elevating Devices CAD, as Uni-Tech was not certified by the Canadian Welding Bureau for fusion welding of steel at the time of the installation.

Appearing in court on November 19, 2009 , Uni-Tech Elevator and Lift Inc. pled guilty and was subsequently fined $10,000 .

"This conviction sends a clear message to companies who may consider ignoring safety regulations for elevating devices," says Roland Hadaller , TSSA's Director of Elevating and Amusement Devices Safety Program, "and this message of deterrence is applicable to all regulated sectors within the TSSA mandate."

In Ontario, all welding during the construction and installation of elevating devices must be carried out by a certified welder and comply with the Act, Ontario Regulation 209/01 and all applicable codes and standards.

"Prosecution for non-compliance with Ontario's safety laws is an important part of TSSA's safety mandate," reminds Hadaller, "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 elevating device 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 elevating devices, amusement devices, ski lifts, fuels, 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: Michelle Vanek, Issues Management and Stakeholder Relations, Public Relations and Communications, TSSA, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org