New regulations for propane safety in Ontario

Effective Jan. 1, 2011, all transfer facilities must submit a Risk and Safety Management Plan

Ontario is implementing new requirements in an effort to improve the safety of the propane industry.

As of Jan. 1, 2011, the government of Ontario will require all propane transfer facilities across the province to submit a Risk and Safety Management Plan (RSMP) with the province’s Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). This plan will be required within 120 days of their 2011 licence renewal date.

The type and level of information required in each plan will depend on the size and capacity of the propane facility. For Ontario’s 1,300 small propane facilities, their plan will need to include facility information, a site plan and map of the surrounding area and an emergency response and preparedness plan. The province will use the information collected in these plans to determine whether any further requirements are needed for small facilities, and will put any new requirements in place by 2013.

All other propane facilities will be required to complete a more detailed plan prepared by an engineer.

The province is working with the TSSA and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office to provide propane operators and local fire services with the information and support they need to implement RSMPs.

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