Ontario TSSA: Safety Remains Priority During Strike

Ontario, Canada’s non-for-profit regulator Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) recently issued a press release emphasizing it remains focused on safety despite contract negotiations with Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) — representing union workers — breaking down and resulting in a strike in July. TSSA said during the strike, non-union employees — such as supervisors with the required training, certification and experience —  are performing inspections of equipment that includes lifting devices such as elevators and amusement park rides. In many cases, TSSA observed, non-union employees performing inspections are the “most highly qualified inspection experts.” The regulator has also hired contractors with the required certification to complete inspections, and continues to perform services for critical infrastructure such as hospitals. “We want to be clear — the strike has not impacted our safety inspections,” TSSA spokesman Alexandra Campbell said.