1. WHAT is a Prestart Health and Safety Review (PSR)?
A Pre-Start Health and Safety Review (PSR) is an audit completed by a Professional Engineer of any industrial apparatus, protective element, process, or structure, to ensure compliance with applicable standards with Section 7 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
2. WHEN is a Prestart Healthy and Safety Review (PSR) required?
According to Section 7 of Regulation 851 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (S.7 of O.Reg. 851) the following items are examples requiring a Pre-Start Review:
• When a building, room or area is used to store or dispense flammable liquids
• When the following protective elements are used:
light curtains and screens
area scanning systems
radio frequency systems and capacitance systems
safety mat systems
two hand controls
barrier guards using interlocked electrical or mechanical safeguards
• When racking or stacking structures are used to store material
• Where processes that involve a risk of ignition or explosion are installed or modified
• When a dust collector is used that involves a risk of ignition or explosion
• When a factory produces aluminum or steel, or a factory that is a foundry
• When a lifting device, traveling crane or automobile hoist is installed or modified
• When a process uses or produces a substance (i.e. chemical) that may result in the overexposure of a worker to limits prescribed by Ontario regulations
Source: https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/psr/psr_4.php
3. WHY is conducting a Prestart Health and Safety Review (PSR) a good idea?
There are several benefits to conducting a PSR but here are the three main ones:
1. It identifies safety issues to be corrected in an organized and effective manner.
2. Potential cost savings can be identified as a result through work efficiencies and proper installation and placement of equipment.
3. Safe operation and installation of equipment reduces the risk of injuries, lost time and can potentially lower insurance premiums by preventing workplace injuries.
4. WHO
A professional engineer only must conduct a PSR, and sometimes depending on requirements, a professional engineer from more than one discipline may be required. When this is the case, the names and disciplines of all reviewers involved should be outlined and included in the report.
Pricing is based on various factors, such as the type of machine or equipment, type of installation being reviewed, and technical documentation available. Contact us directly or click here to fill out a form and we’d be happy to provide you with a non-obligatory quote.
5. WHERE can I find more information?
Ontario Ministry of Labour
https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/psr
Professional Engineers of Ontario
http://www.peo.on.ca/index.php/ci_id/22069/la_id/1.htm
Safe Workplace Association
http://wsps.ca/Shop/Training/Training-Schedules/Pre-Start-Health-and-Safety-Reviews.aspx
