ECOH services

From the turn of the 19-century to the early 1980′s, asbestos was processed into thousands of commercially used products. Many of these products were widely used during the construction of residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Any building constructed or renovated between the turn of the century and the early 1980′s is likely to have asbestos-containing material (ACM) within the building components. Ontario Regulation 278/05 outlines the obligations of Ontario owners, employers and employees on construction projects and in buildings and repair operations where ACM is present. This Regulation also classifies work procedures and safety precautions when ACM  must be removed.

Lead in paint,  building materials, drinking water and the environment can pose a health hazard. The ECOH team has the expertise and experience to protect against lead in buildings and the environment, and ensure compliance with  relevant legislation.

ECOH can evaluate whether lead and other designated substances are present in your workplace, and can help you control exposure.

ECOH can help you manage potential environmental liabilities by conducting an Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) that meets your needs. Our ESAs are conducted by qualified environmental professionals  following applicable professional standards. Environmental Site Assessments and Environmental Site Investigations (ESIs) are a useful tool employed by property owners, lenders, mortgagees, leasers, purchasers, adjacent property owners, and government agencies, to determine historical, existing, and potential environmental liabilities associated with various properties.

As long as hydrocarbon fuels remain in use as primary fuel sources for heating, transportation, and manufacturing, underground (UST’s) and aboveground (AST’s) storage tanks will be required to store fuels. Historically, hydrocarbon storage tanks have been a major source of environmental liability for property owners / tenants, and lenders, due to the mobile and volatile nature of hydrocarbon products, leaking tanks, improperly installed fuel systems, poor maintenance procedures, and spills.

Risk Assessments are an excellent tool to provide alternative remediation criteria on sites where standard remediation methods are not economically feasible, or cannot be undertaken due to legal constraints. The risk assessment process compares engineering applications with the biological study of relationships between the environment (terrestrial and aquatic) and industrial processes, and their consequences, to develop site-specific contaminant criteria. The assessment uses science, statistics and modeling to assess risk-related information.

Potable water testing in work places, multi unit residences, public facilities, educational facilities, institutions, health care facilities, long-term care facilities, and seasonal residences is now mandated under federal and provincial laws.

When indoor air quality is poor, building occupants often report feeling sick or uncomfortable.  ECOH’s consultants are experts in assessing indoor air quality, and recommending how you can improve it and prevent future problems.

The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to establish a health and safety policy and program. ECOH professionals have the credentials, capability and competence to help you develop an effective health and safety management system to ensure that you build safety into the way you do business. We also conduct comprehensive audits to assess risks, and ensure that hazards are controlled and your workplace complies with all relevant occupational health and safety legislation.

ECOH team members are widely respected for their expertise in industrial hygiene. We offer the full range of industrial and occupational hygiene services, from comprehensive hazard surveys, through sampling, analysis, ventilation design, personal protective equipment and control recommendations. We will help ensure that your workers are protected from the hazardous effects of toxic chemicals, and physical agents such as noise, vibration and radiation.