What is the purpose of a Pre-Startup Safety Review (PSSR)?

• A. A routine safety check performed before startup after modification or change.
• B. A formal safety check conducted before startup after modification or change to ensure safeguards are in place.
• C. A post-startup evaluation.
• D. A hazard assessment with no formal approval.

Answer: (B)

A Pre-Startup Safety Review is a formal, documented check done before bringing modified or changed equipment back online. Its purpose is to verify that all safety safeguards and requirements are in place and ready to function as intended before energizing the system. This means confirming the change has been properly reviewed and approved, that energy isolation, interlocks, alarms, relief devices, ventilation, and leak detection are installed and tested, that procedures and training are ready, and that all permits and documentation are complete. By conducting this rigorous pre-startup verification, you catch gaps or mismatches between design and installation before anything runs, reducing the risk of incidents. It’s not a routine pre-startup check, nor a post-startup evaluation, and it isn’t just a hazard assessment without formal approval.