Changes coming to Ontario workplaces that build or modify machinery
On September 1, 2013, the Government of Ontario is scheduled to repeal section 12.(3)(a) of the Professional Engineers Act, which previously allowed individuals to oversee or carry out certain professional engineering work without having a P.Eng. licence, according to a statement from the Professional Engineers of Ontario.
The repeal will mean that all professional engineering work on industrial equipment and machinery will need to be under the oversight of a licensed professional engineer. The change – which is expected to affect approximately 1,000 Ontario companies – will bring the province in line with the rest of Canada.
On the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) website, companies can review new licence requirements for engineering work done by employees on industrial equipment or machinery, and what manufacturers can do to become compliant.
Under a new section 88 of Regulation 941/90, which was effective in late January, employers have up to one year from the date of the repeal to meet the new requirements, as long as they file a compliance with PEO by the date of the repeal. This means employers have until September 1, 2013 to file their compliance plans and any associated licence applications to take advantage of the one-year transition window.
- Do you work in a facility in Ontario that processes or produces a product?
- Are you doing professional engineering work on equipment identified as affected?
- If so, do you need a licence from PEO?
For more information and a detailed explanation of the repeal of the industrial exemption, and guidance as to whether or not a licence will be required after September 1, visit http://www.peo.on.ca/index.php/ci_id/2259/la_id/1.htm