When is a PHSR needed?
In October’ 2000 Ontario made having a Pre-start Health and Safety review mandatory for any equipment in a factory prior to production that satisfies one of the following 8 triggers:
1 | Flammable liquids are located or dispensed in a building, room or area. |
2 | Any of the following are used as protective elements in connection with an apparatus:
|
3 | Material, articles or things are placed or stored on a structure that is a rack or stacking structure. |
4 | A process involves a risk of ignition or explosion that creates a condition of imminent hazard to a person’s health or safety. |
5 | The use of a dust collector involves a risk of ignition or explosion that creates a condition of imminent hazard to a person’s health or safety. |
6 | A factory produces aluminum or steel or is a foundry that melts material or handles molten material. |
7 | The construction, addition, installation or modification relates to a lifting device, travelling crane or automobile hoist. |
8 | A process uses or produces a substance that may result in the exposure of a worker in excess of any exposure limit set out in Regulation 833 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents), Ontario Regulation 278/05 (Designated Substance — Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations) or Ontario Regulation 490/09 (Designated Substances) all made under the Act. |
Per section 7(14) of Ontario Regulation 851 of OH&S Act, a copy of this report must be readily accessible in the workplace and a copy given to the Joint Health and Safety Committee. Additionally, the OH&S Act requires you implement all of the measures required for safety compliance prior to putting the machine into the production.
A revised PHSR (or Limited-Scope PHSR) is also needed when any changes, electrical or mechanical, are made to an equipment post production. This is a review of only the changes and is amended to the original, full-scope PHSR.