Ontario's engineering regulator charged a Kitchener-Waterloo area crane safety inspection service operator on March 20 for "falsely representing himself as a professional engineer," says a news release from Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO).
Jay Lawrence Harding (also known as Jaye Lawrence Harding), operating under the name AJ Ontario Hoist Inspections, faces 352 charges under the Professional Engineers Act and the Provincial Offences Act.
Harding is accused of "using a forged seal and the title of a licensed professional engineer in the course of performing... at least 80 'inspections' and 'non-destructive tests' of cranes and lifting devices in the Region of Waterloo in 2021," says PEO.
Harding has never held a professional engineer licence in Ontario, nor does he hold a non-destructive testing certification, the regulator says.
"PEO believes that Mr. Harding may have falsely represented himself as a professional engineer in respect of crane and lifting device inspections for other entities, posing a broader risk to public safety," the release says. "In addition, PEO understands that in 2022, Mr. Harding relocated to New Brunswick and incorporated a new sole proprietorship named AJ Hoist Inspections. Mr. Harding may therefore continue to falsely represent himself as a professional engineer in New Brunswick."
The matter remains under investigation by PEO, and anyone with a sealed or stamped certification bearing the name “J.L. Harding”, “J. Harding”, “Jay Harding”, “AJ Ontario Hoist Inspections”, or "AJ Hoist Inspections”, or who has engaged any of them for professional engineering or inspection services, is urged to contact the enforcement hotline immediately at 416-840-1444 or 1-800-339-3716 ext 1444, or email [email protected].
