Toronto contractor fined $20,000 for safety offences involving pipeline strikes

Toronto, ON, Sept. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ferreira & Sons Construction pleaded guilty to two safety violations under Ontario’s Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000. The charges relate to two incidents in Toronto where workers struck gas pipelines. The Ontario Court of Justice fined the contractor $20,000, plus a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge.

In May 2025, Carlos Ferreira, an employee of Ferreira & Sons Construction, was excavating in the walkway between his home and a neighbouring property. While shoring up the dirt using a piece of wood, he struck an underground gas pipeline. He then repaired the pipeline himself and removed the gas meter. Mr. Ferreira was not authorized to perform work on gas appliances or pipelines.

In another incident in July 2025, an employee of Ferreira & Sons Construction struck an underground gas pipeline while performing landscaping work with an excavator at a different Toronto property. The excavation was conducted without the required locate, a map identifying the location of underground pipelines. Ferreira & Sons Construction failed to take all reasonable precautions to ensure its employees complied with safety requirements.

Between 2016 and 2023, TSSA issued several orders to Ferreira & Sons Construction in relation to underground pipeline strikes. Five of those incidents occurred when required locates were not present at the worksites. In two incidents, gas meters were removed from gas pipelines.

“Before any excavation begins, contractors need to know what is underground and take the necessary steps to protect that infrastructure,” said Owen Kennedy, Director of Fuels Safety at Technical Standards and Safety Authority. “Striking an underground gas pipeline can cause serious injury, property damage and disruption to the natural gas supply. Obtaining a locate and using it as a guide while digging is an important safety measure.”

Contractors and property owners who are planning to excavate must obtain the required locates before digging and follow all applicable safety requirements. For more information about obtaining locates, contact Ontario One Call.

About TSSA

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority is one of Ontario’s public safety regulators, mandated by the Government of Ontario to enforce provincial safety regulations and enhance public safety. Throughout Ontario, TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support and enforcement and prosecution activities. 

Alexandra Campbell
Technical Standards & Safety Authority
416-734-2728
media@tssa.org