October 1, 2021 – Every year, Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority hosts the Ontario Electrical Safety awards to “celebrate those who have demonstrated a long commitment to safety in Ontario”—whether through electrical safety programs, initiatives or efforts, in the community or in the workplace.

The results are in for the 2021 edition. Which deserving organizations and individuals did ESA recognize this year?

Worker Safety

Hydro One Networks Inc., Safety Improvement Team. Accepted by Jessica Van Rooyen. The 18-member team of frontline workers was charged with coming up with recommendations for protecting their co-workers.

Consumer & Home Safety

Kijiji Canada. Accepted by Kent Sikstrom. Working with ESA, Kijiji has been clamping down on ads for illegal electrical work and educating the public on the importance of hiring licensed electrical contractors.

Powerline Safety

Darren Desrosiers, senior manager, Distribution Sustainment Planning, Hydro One Networks. According to ESA, Darren has devoted countless hours toward advancing powerline safety.

Licensed Electrical Contractor Recognition Award

TP Electric. Accepted by Melissa Peroff. Celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, ESA says the contractor has not had a single lost time injury in the last 20 years.

Chief Public Safety Officer’s Special Recognition Award

Dave Shanahan. Formerly of CSA Group (now retired), ESA says Shanahan was instrumental in the creation of the Z46x series of standards: Z460, Z462, Z463. Shanahan says the award really belongs to all the experts who helped put these documents together.

Unfortunately, this is now the second year where we won’t be able to honour these deserving individuals and organizations in person. To all of you, we’re clapping for you!

The award recipients were announced during the online annual meeting and awards program, hosted by David Collie—ESA’s president & CEO—who announced he is retiring from his role, effective July 1, 2022. (Best wishes in your next endeavours, David!)

Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority is responsible for administering specific regulations related to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, the licensing of electrical contractors and master electricians, electricity distribution system safety, and electrical product safety.

SEE ALSO ESA honours Ontario’s 2020 electrical safety champs.