On Wednesday, August 7^th, a group of representatives from GCCA member companies with operations in Ontario met with leadership from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).  The purpose of the meeting was to update industry on the recently approved legislation to reform the Operating Engineers regulation in Ontario.  Bonnie Rose, President of TSSA, led the meeting for TSSA and stated the agency's strong committed to successfully implementing the new operating engineer legislation.  She also stated that the agency is committed to working with industry throughout the implementation process.

TSSA representatives provided some history on the regulatory reform process and effort.  There is recognition that the current policy is seen as being too prescriptive, not based on risk (and the role of technology) and exacerbates the current shortage of qualified operating engineers.  As a result of the new policy, the following outcomes are intended:

• Enhance safety
• Reduce regulatory burden
• Drive innovation
• Improve compliance
• Address labor shortage

The new policy is broken down into two paths.  Path 1 is a modified version of the current policy that prescribes attendance requirements based on horsepower and some additional factors.  Facilities will receive a score that determines what class of facility they will be assigned and the corresponding attendance requirement. 

Path 2 provides a more flexible approach that is based on site-specific risks and how a facility plans to mitigate such risks through the development of a Risk Safety Management Plan.  Plans would be developed by facilities and submitted to TSSA for approval.  If the plan is approved, the facility will be registered and receive periodic audit to ensure that the facility is following the plan that was submitted.  The Chemical Industry Association of Canada has developed a Process Safety Management Standard (CSA Z767-17) that can serve as a reference for facilities considering Path 2.  In addition, TSSA will be developing guidelines to assist facilities in their evaluation of the Path 2 approach.

Current Proposed Timeline

Path 1 –           Draft Scheme: October 2019

                        Finalize Document: February 2020

Path 2 –           Draft Guidelines: December 2019

                        Industry Consultations: January - February 2020

Draft Alternative Rules: November 2019

MGCS Review: November 2019

Industry Consultations: January - February 2020

Approve and Finalize: March/April 2020

Full Implementation: July 2020

If you have any questions or comments please contact me lrandel@gcca.org or 703-373-4300 ext 220.