Repeal of the Industrial Exception in Ontario

How are you managing the requirement to use licensed engineers?

It was common knowledge in Ontario that a manufacturer could design equipment for their plant without involving a licensed professional engineer. In fact, many engineers doing design work at a manufacturing plant did not even bother to get licensed. This was known as the “industrial exception” under the Professional Engineers Act.

Those days are now behind us.

Effective March 1, 2013, manufacturers who perform engineering work with machinery or equipment will require their work to be reviewed by someone licensed by the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO).

HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU?

With the repeal of section 12(3)(a) of the Professional Engineers Act, any individual(s) who act within the practice of professional engineering on machinery or equipment used to produce products for their employer in their employer’s facility, MUST be licensed by the PEO, without exception.

Some examples of work that may require professional engineering includes:

• Designing or installing new equipment
• Composing layout of process equipment
• Design of fixtures or structures if they carry any structural load
• Advising on maintenance plans, quality plans, or lockout procedures

HOW CAN WE HELP?

We can help by offering 3rd party engineering support so that you can continue to manage the day-to-day operations of your manufacturing facility or plant.

Our staff includes a team of licensed PEO engineers who practice disciplines in structural, mechanical, and welding engineering.

Our trained and qualified engineers can assist you with engineering projects in your facility including, but no limited to:

• Equipment Support Structures or Platforms
• Machinery Design
• Fall Protection Systems
• Overhead Lift Equipment Design
• Pre-Start Health & Safety Reviews (PSR’s)