Pre-Start Health and Safety Reviews

ZCS supports clients by identifying, documenting, and mitigating hazards. Ensure compliance, reduce risk, and maintain a safer workplace.

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What is a Pre-Start Health and Safety Review?

Also known as a PSR or PHSR

A PSR is a safety assessment conducted by Professional Engineers when new or modified equipment is introduced, ensuring compliance with safety standards under Section 7 of Ontario Regulation 851 (Industrial Establishments).

What is a Pre-Start Health and Safety Review?

8 PHSR Triggers

Since October 2000, Ontario has required a Pre-start Health and Safety Review (PSR) for any factory equipment before production if it meets one of eight specific triggers.

1	Either of the following applies with respect to flammable liquids: More than 235 litres of flammable liquids are located in a building or room. Flammable liquids are dispensed in a building, room or area.
2	Any of the following are used as protective elements in connection with an apparatus: Safeguarding devices that signal the apparatus to stop. Barrier guards that use interlocking mechanical or electrical safeguarding devices.
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	Any of the following are used: A travelling crane, overhead crane, monorail crane, gantry crane, jib crane or other lifting device suspended from or supported by a structure. A vehicle lift or hoist.
8	A process uses or produces a hazardous biological or chemical agent and uses a ventilation system to limit the exposure of a worker in accordance with any exposure limit set out in Regulation 833 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents) made under the Act.

PSR Process & Phases

For a PSR, send us the equipment info (e.g. serial number, model, photos, mechanical layout, electrical/pneumatic/hydraulic drawings), and and we’ll send you a quote promptly!

Phase 1
(Design Review):

An evaluation of the design documents prior to construction of the equipment.

Phase 2
(Preliminary PSR):

A preliminary assessment at the build shop before the equipment is shipped.

Phase 3
(Final PSR):

A final review of the equipment at the installation site prior to it being put into production.

Benefits of Obtaining a PSR

Identifies and helps fix safety non-compliance before production
Reduces workplace accidents and injury reports to the Ministry of Labour
Prevents costly machine lockouts and protects your reputation
Improves employee morale by ensuring a safer work environment
Saves time and money by avoiding future delays and losses

Why choose our team to perform your PHSR?

ZCS’ multidisciplinary team of engineers and electricians delivers thorough, accurate machine safety reviews (PSRs).

We specialize in machine safety design, helping global builders and integrators meet CSA-Z432 & Z434 standards using technologies like area scanners, AGVs, ABB SafeMove, DCS, and collaborative robot applications.

ZCS completes more safety reports annually across Ontario, Quebec, and the USA than many smaller competitors combined, with experience across thousands of equipment types.

With dedicated project management and sales support, we book site reviews in 2–3 days and deliver reports within 5. We've helped clients resolve Ministry of Labour orders and quickly resume production.