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Hazmat Surveys
(Asbestos, Lead)

 
 

Hazardous Materials Surveys

Bersch Consulting Ltd. conducts surveys of all accessible areas in a facility, including crawlspaces, pipe chases, etc., to assess and identify any Hazardous Materials such as:

Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM) - PCBs - Lead - Mold - Silica - Mercury.

 

Asbestos

We sample for asbestos on a room-by-room basis in materials such as:

  • insulation materials (attic, walls, piping, ductwork)

  • vinyl flooring

  • ceiling finishes

  • fireproofing

  • gasket materials

  • plaster

  • wall finishes

  • drywall mud joint compounds

  • caulking

  • concrete/masonry

  • exterior roof finishes

  • mastics

  • duct seal

  • cement pipe/board

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Our Asbestos Identification Process

Inspection/sampling of all accessible areas of facilities including crawlspaces, pipe chases, and ceiling spaces

Database providing a room by room account of ACM present along with assessment

Drawings/floor plans/photos identifying locations of sampling and ACM identified

Labeling program upon request to physically identify any ACM present.

 
 

Annual Asbestos Audits Available

In addition to the initial asbestos survey, Bersch Consulting Ltd. provides annual audits of friable ACM to identify any changes in condition or concern regarding potential damage or disturbance. Saskatchewan Government Occupational Health & Safety Regulations require completion of an annual inspection of all “friable” asbestos to ensure it is not releasing and is not likely to release asbestos dust into the atmosphere. Bersch refers to any existing surveys and lab analysis documentation in order to assess and update existing ACM and bring the ACM data to the current date.

 
 

PCB’s

 

We use PCB Identifier Codes on any PCB containing light ballasts or transformers that we identify. If required, we forward samples to a NVLAP accredited laboratory for analysis.

PCBs may also be present in building materials such as

  • oil in motors or hydraulics

  • electrical devices or appliances containing capacitors

  • fluorescent light ballasts

  • oil based paint

  • caulking

  • cable and cable tray coatings

PCB detection

 Lead

Suspect lead containing materials (paint, sheathing, etc.) are field tested with Lead Check Field Test kits followed by bulk sample analysis to confirm field test kit results.

Mercury

Mercury is most common in older thermostat switches. Mercury vapour is present in fluorescent light tubes. Recycle the mercury fluorescent light tubes when decommissioning in accordance with provincial requirements.

 

Silica

Silica is the basic component of most sand and rock. It is frequently found in construction materials such as:

  • concrete

  • concrete block

  • cement

  • mortar

  • masonry

  • tiles

  • brick

  • refractory brick

  • granite

  • sand fill dirt

  • topsoil

  • asphalt containing rock or stone,

  • gypsum board/drywall

  • abrasive used for blasting

 

The hazard associated with silica dust requires the release of crystalline silica particles within dust generated by any work activity or process involving a material containing crystalline silica.