IntroductionThe Fuel Safety Handbook is intended to provide the basic information which is essential to gas technicians working with natural gas and propane fuel gases in Ontario.The Fuel Safety Handbook is intended to address the knowledge needed by Ontario gas technicians seeking to fulfill the requirements of the new Training and Certification Regulation (348/96) under the Energy Act, effective September 1, 1996. It remains the responsibility of the users of this handbook to ensure that the Fuel Safety Training Program is accredited by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (formerly the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations). Individuals who complete a Fuel Safety Training Program are required to submit their certificate of completion to the Technical Standards and Safety Authority in order to update the data bank and have the i ntegrated certificate issued.About the Fuel Safety Training Program The Ontario Fuel Safety Training Program was developed on the basis of learning objectives identified in collaboration with government, industry and the community colleges.The major focus of the training is to highlight key differences between natural gas and propane installations. The topics have been structured logically in the sequence of typical planning and installation procedures.Why a Fuel Safety Training Program? Due to the fact that the objective of the new program is to integrate the natural gas and propane fitter into one certificate, safety training/upgrading will be required for the two fuels. More specifically, if an individual holds a propane fitter certificate (PFT1 or PFT2) only, the individual will be required to attend/complete the workshop. Conversely, the person who holds only a natural gas fitter certificate (GAF1 or GAF2) will be required to take the workshop. The workshop will be des igned to educate the individual on the properties of propane and natural gas and will focus on the safe handling aspects and differences in the two fuel systems.The holders of sole fuel certificates (i.e. propane only or natural gas only) will be required to attend/complete the workshop within two years AFTER receiving their new converted cer tificate. Individuals who complete the workshop will be required to submit their certificate of completion to the Technical Standards and Safety Authority in order to update the data bank and have the integrated certificate issued.Individuals who do not attend/complete the safety training within the above noted two year period will be advised of the pending 12 month suspension of their certificate during which time they will not have a valid certificate until the condition has been met.The Fuel Safety Training programs will be available through most of the community colleges and through trade associations and organizations.