In Ontario, PSR/PHSR requirements are connected to Section 7 of Ontario Regulation 851 for Industrial Establishments. The purpose is to identify safety concerns, review applicable requirements, document deficiencies where needed, and support safer operation before work begins.
A PSR/PHSR may be required before equipment, processes, storage systems, protective devices, or other workplace changes are used.
Clients often contact HITE when they are dealing with:
If you are unsure if a pre-start health and safety review is required for your project, our experts can review the available information and help determine the appropriate next step.
Machine guarding reviews may apply when equipment includes interlocked guards, light curtains, safeguarding systems, or operator exposure to hazardous machine motion.
Facilities with flammable liquid storage may need review when layout, quantities, dispensing areas, ventilation, ignition sources, or handling practices create fire or compliance risks.
Industrial storage racking may need review when systems are newly installed, modified, relocated, damaged, or missing proper documentation or load ratings.
Ignition or explosion risk reviews may apply when vapours, dusts, materials, equipment, or processes create conditions where fire or explosion hazards need to be assessed.
Dust collectors may require review when combustible dust, ignition sources, explosion venting, equipment location, or process conditions create safety concerns.
Foundry or molten material operations may require review when casting work, high-temperature materials, transfer methods, or handling processes create worker safety risks.
Lifting device reviews may apply when cranes, hoists, or other load-bearing lifting systems are installed, modified, or used in a way that may require engineering review.
Cranes, hoists, and other lifting devices may require engineering review when installation, modification, loading, controls, or use introduces safety concerns.
A PSR/PHSR review is specific to the equipment, process, workplace condition, and trigger category involved.
Depending on the project, we may review:
The goal is to understand what is being installed, modified, or used, and what needs to be addressed before the equipment or process moves forward.
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If changes are made after the review, our team can support follow-up review or updated documentation where needed.
A PSR/PHSR project may include:
Participants learn about:
The seminar is taught by HITE’s engineers and draws on more than 25 years of PSR experience.
Investment: $850 per attendee, with group rates available.
Format: Live online seminar.
Contact us today to learn more.
A PSR/PHSR is a Pre-Start Health and Safety Review. It is an engineering review used to assess certain equipment, processes, structures, or protective systems before they are used in an Ontario workplace.
Cost depends on the trigger category, equipment or process complexity, available documentation, site visit requirements, reporting scope, and whether follow-up review is required.
Contact us with your project details so our team can review the scope and discuss next steps.
Timing depends on the complexity of the review, site access, documentation availability, urgency, and required deliverables.
HITE can provide a better sense of timing once the project details are reviewed.
Many PSR/PHSR reviews require a site visit, especially when equipment, process conditions, access points, or protective systems need to be reviewed directly.
Some early applicability questions can begin with documentation, drawings, photos, and equipment information.
HITE can still review existing or installed equipment, identify concerns, and provide recommendations.
The next step depends on the equipment, the trigger category, site conditions, and the documentation available.
