Asbestos is a common hazard, especially in older buildings. If you own an older commercial property or home, asbestos removal is crucial for your health and legal compliance. The challenge with asbestos is that it can be difficult to identify in a safe, risk-free manner. The use of a designated substance survey can help immensely with this by accurately identifying hazardous substances present in a given space without accessing them at their source. This can help facilitate safe and effective asbestos removal in Oakville buildings. If you are looking to improve the health and safety of your property, reach out to Inch by Inch Inspections for expert substance surveys and asbestos removal services. Call now to book an appointment!
Understanding a Designated Substance Survey Report
A designated substance survey is a formal assessment used to determine if there are any “designated substances” present on a given site or property. A designated substance refers to a material that is regulated under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act. These substances tend to be hazardous or concerning to human health and well-being.
The primary purpose of designated substance surveys is to protect workers or employees from potential health and safety risks on the job. If one of the ten main hazardous substances is found, then employers must halt work until the issue is resolved. The ten main hazardous substances tested for on a survey include:
- Asbestos
- Benzene
- Lead
- Acrylonitrile
- Mercury
- Silica
- Arsenic
- Isocyanates
- Ethylene Oxide
- Vinyl Chloride
The Importance of a DSS Report in Asbestos Removal
Asbestos is one of the main hazardous substances that can be accurately identified on a designated substance survey, making these surveys an excellent diagnostic tool.
The Nature of Asbestos
By nature, asbestos is highly toxic and also very fibrous and brittle. This combination of factors makes it very difficult to identify and remove asbestos without putting your health at risk. Attempting to touch or uncover asbestos can lead to the material crumbling and send thousands of tiny fibres into the air around you. When inhaled, these fibres can cause a variety of respiratory issues and illnesses, including lung cancer, difficulty breathing, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Asbestos fibres can even cause damage and scarring to the lung tissues. Given the nature of asbestos, it is prudent that it be identified without being physically disturbed.
Health and Safety Protection
The use of designated substance surveys can help promote safe asbestos removal. Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act outlines how work on any given site is to stop if and when asbestos is identified with a designated substance survey. This can help minimize exposure to employees and promote safe removal.
How a DSS Report Supports a Safe Asbestos Removal Process
Your asbestos removal team can utilize a designated substance survey as a guide/reference when conducting removal. This can help:
- Ensures Accurate Risk Assessment and Safety Planning: A DSS report identifies the type, condition, and location of asbestos, helping determine the safest removal method and minimizing exposure risks.
- Prevents Costly Delays and Compliance Issues: By identifying asbestos before it is ever physically exposed, a DSS report reduces the risk of unexpected expenses, project disruptions, and legal penalties.
- Guarantees Proper Waste Disposal: The report ensures asbestos is safely contained, removed, and disposed of according to Ontario regulations, protecting both employees and the environment.
The Inch by Inch Inspections Difference
At Inch by Inch Inspections, we specialize in designated substance surveys and asbestos removal to ensure that your asbestos concerns are effectively addressed from start to finish. We adhere to the inspection guidelines as outlined by InterNACHI, and all of our inspectors are highly trained and qualified to administer designated substance surveys.
Facilitate Safe Asbestos Removal in Oakville with Inch by Inch Inspections
Asbestos is a highly dangerous substance that should be identified as quickly as possible to facilitate safe removal. Designated substance surveys are an excellent tool that can be used to accurately identify asbestos and many other controlled substances without exposing them to employees or property occupants. If you own an older property, there is a chance that it may have been built with asbestos-containing materials. To be sure, book a substance survey with Inch by Inch Inspections. Our team will address the issue and perform the subsequent asbestos removal in Oakville as well.