Guide to Asbestos & Designated Substance Reports

There are more than 25 substances designated as either toxic or hazardous by the Canadian Government, one of which is asbestos. This mineral was popular in construction around the late 20th Century in products such as insulation, flooring adhesives, drywall, cement, and more. A designated substance assessment and report must be provided to protect workers during inspections, renovations, and other invasive work. At Inch By Inch Inspections, we offer asbestos air testing as well as additional inspection and detection services providing a full designated substance report and, if necessary, asbestos removal in Toronto

Here is what you need to know about asbestos and designated substance reports.  

Why Conduct a Designated Substance Survey?

asbestos air testingAsbestos, like the many other substances listed as toxic or hazardous by the Government, can pose a significant health risk to construction teams and contractors working on renovations, remodels, and maintenance in an affected property. The designated substance survey (DSS), which is given to the Ministry of Labour, ensures transparency about the dangers of a project. Asbestos air testing from Inch By Inch Inspections and sample testing can quickly identify traces of the mineral on site. If the mineral is detected on your property, you can avoid delays to your project with trusted asbestos removal in Toronto from the IICRC-certified abatement team at Inch By Inch Inspections. 

Why Is Asbestos Considered Hazardous? 

Asbestos is classified as an "inactive" designated substance under the Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA) and must be handled appropriately or removed following strict guidelines. The inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause a number of serious health problems, which are outlined below. It's important to note that although these health problems don't develop immediately after exposure, they can take up to 40 years to show. Exposure to the mineral fibres can scar lung tissues leading to asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer and other chronic lung diseases. Early detection of asbestos allows you to take precautions to prevent asbestos exposure to workers and occupants of the property before it's too late. 

What Happens When the DSS is Missed? 

If you don't have a designated substance report completed by a licenced service provider, including asbestos air testing, encountering the mineral on your property may result in a "stop" order, delaying work on your project until asbestos removal in Toronto is complete. Downtime can be costly, resulting in projects going over budget. 

Getting Your Designated Substance Report

When it comes to working with materials containing asbestos, there is a lot of confusion about what exactly constitutes a Designated Substance Report and how one should be prepared. For any project where there is a potential for materials containing asbestos to be disturbed, it's necessary for a licenced service provider in Toronto, such as Inch By inch Inspections, to prepare a Designated Substance Survey report which outlines whether asbestos-containing materials are present and what work processes will be needed to safely manage them. Our team is licenced and qualified. We use advanced equipment to ensure a comprehensive and accurate inspection to facilitate your demolition or construction project. 

Schedule Your Designated Substance Survey.

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