Whitby Trailer Park Owners Fined $100,000 for Failing to Address Serious Electrical Issues

Reminder to Property Owners of Obligation to Keep Electrical Systems in Safe Condition

MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 26, 2012 /CNW/ - On March 12, the owners of a trailer park located at 1010 Dundas Street East in Whitby, Ontario pled guilty and were convicted of failing to comply with orders from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) to address electrical defects that presented imminent hazards on their property. They were fined a total of $100,000, including $40,000 for neglecting to comply with an ESA Order, $40,000 for neglecting to comply with an ESA Inspection Notice, and the balance was a victim impact fee.  This conviction and fine serves as a reminder to all Ontario property owners of their responsibility for ensuring the safe electrical condition of their properties to protect residents, tenants and members of the public.

"Property owners must ensure the safe condition of the electrical systems on their properties," said Doug Crawford, ESA's Chief Public Safety Officer.  "It is particularly critical to regularly check and monitor older properties to ensure that electrical equipment is in good working order. If electrical work needs to be done, it must be done in accordance with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, including getting a permit for inspection from ESA."

In this case, ESA was contacted by a resident with a complaint of extended outages at this location in early 2010.  Our investigation found significant problems with unsafe and deteriorated electrical systems and ordered the property owners to make immediate repairs in order to bring the site into compliance with the electrical code.  After the property owners failed to comply with ESA's Orders and failed to correct the defects, ESA was required to order a disconnection of power to the site due to hazards to life and property.  Subsequently, the ordered repairs were made and power was restored.

ESA pursued charges in this case because of the significance of the defects, the owner's failure to comply, and the scope of potential impact on residents of the approximately 70 trailers in the park.  Convictions were secured in Whitby Court on March 12, 2012 against 2074359 Ontario Inc., James Disapio, and Anthony Muoio.

ESA continues to monitor the trailer park and has been required to order and inspect further corrections of electrical defects since the original orders were issued.

About the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)

Established in 1999 as a self-sustaining, not-for-profit corporation, the Electrical Safety Authority's mission is to improve electrical safety for the well-being of the people of Ontario. The overall vision of the ESA is to achieve zero electrical accidents, injuries and fatalities across Ontario. More information on the Electrical Safety Authority can be found on their website www.esasafe.com.

Cathy Chernysh, Communications
Electrical Safety Authority
905-712-5371
[email protected]