Changes are planned to the “Boilers and Pressure Vessels Act Regulations” that will require all oil burner work to be done by license oil burner mechanics (important primarily because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning). This means they have to be a factory-trained technician in a specific type of oil burner, and/or have a red seal designation (which requires 6000 hours of apprenticeship). There is an option where individuals can challenge the red seal test if they can demonstrate they have the experience/background to write it outside of an official apprenticeship.
The issues/suggestions/comments brought forward are:
- What will be the impact on those who do oil burner work now but don’t meet the qualifications of the new regulations?
- Should some sort of training be offered by an institution like Holland College to ensure that the number of licensed oil burner technicians is adequate? (both short course training and long term focus within existing trade courses)
- There is a need to be proactive in ensuring that there is no shortage of license oil burner technicians to meet new regulations, not wait and be reactive if/when a shortage occurs.
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