At HITE Engineering, we help industrial workplaces across Ontario stay compliant and protect their teams through Pre Start Health and Safety Reviews (PSRs). Mandated under Ontario’s OHSA Regulation 851, Section 7, PSRs are a legal requirement whenever specific high-risk changes are made to equipment or processes in factories and industrial settings.
Whether you’re installing a new robotic cell, adding flammable liquid storage, or updating safeguarding on a press, our licensed Professional Engineers (P.Eng.) conduct thorough engineering reviews to ensure your machinery and processes meet all applicable safety codes — before start-up.
A Pre Start Health and Safety Review is an engineering evaluation that identifies safety hazards and verifies code compliance before equipment or processes are introduced or modified. If a workplace change falls under one of eight trigger conditions listed in Section 7 of Regulation 851, a PSR must be completed and signed by a qualified professional engineer in Ontario.
The purpose of a PSR is to:
Failure to complete a PSR when required can result in stop-work orders, fines, or serious incidents. PSRs are not optional — they’re a legal duty.
PSRs are required before using or modifying equipment/processes in any of the following situations:
If your project fits any of the above, a PSR is legally required prior to commissioning.
At HITE, we go beyond simple checklists. Our licensed engineers apply deep regulatory knowledge, technical rigour, and industrial insight throughout every step of the process:
We review relevant documents such as:
We compare your equipment and setup to current codes and standards (e.g., CSA Z432, Z460, NFPA, OHSA) to identify potential non-compliance.
On-site inspection of your machinery or process (if applicable) to confirm conditions and validate documentation.
We deliver a sealed engineering report (P.Eng.) with:
We can support implementation of recommendations or re-review updated controls as needed.
To ensure a smooth process, please prepare:
We don’t just point out problems — we engineer solutions.
Want to better understand PSR requirements? Our One-Day Pre Start Health & Safety Review Training Seminar helps safety managers, engineers, and employers confidently navigate Ontario’s PSR framework.
What You’ll Learn:
Led by Industry Experts
Taught by HITE’s engineers with 25+ years of PSR experience
Investment: $650 per attendee
(Group rates available)
Format: Live online seminar — register today!
We’ll help your team understand not just what the rules say, but how to apply them effectively.
Typical turnaround is 1–2 weeks depending on complexity and site access. Rush services available.
You may face stop-work orders, legal penalties, or liability in the event of an incident. It’s not worth the risk.
Yes — “PHSR” stands for Pre-Start Health and Safety Review and is often used interchangeably with PSR.
Yes. We can provide engineering design, guarding upgrades, or re-inspection support.
Let’s help you stay safe, compliant, and operational.
Contact HITE Engineering to schedule your PSR Or register for our next PSR Training Seminar