It is very important to know what hazardous materials exist or are present within a facility to ensure safety and compliance within the work environment. In simpler words, a designated substance survey is the identification of hazardous substances like asbestos, lead, and silica found within a building which might pose a high risk to the health and safety of workers and occupants in case this material is disturbed due to actions like construction or renovation. This is not just an issue of safety; it is actually a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. In this article we will explain when a designated substance survey may be required, the related legal obligations, and the very important role this type of survey plays in projects such as asbestos removal in Oakville.
At Inch by Inch Inspections, we will help you undertake a comprehensive inspection that will conclude whether or not your specific construction or renovation project meets all appropriate safety and regulatory standards.
Legal Requirements for a Designated Substance Survey
Regulatory Background
It is a requirement throughout most of the country, either by legislation or by regulation, that potentially dangerous substances have to be identified and safely managed within building structures. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) of Ontario is a case in point; under the act, owners and employers are meant to assess designated substances that are likely to be disturbed. These regulations help safeguard the health of workers and building occupants by protecting against the overexposure of potentially harmful substances.
Scenarios Where a DSS is Legally Needed
There exist several key scenarios under which a designated substance survey is legally required:
- Prior to demolition/renovation work: A DSS is required before demolishing or renovating a structure to identify any hazardous material that may be released from the project.
- Older buildings of specific age or type: The older a building, the more likely that materials such as asbestos will be present, a good reason to require a DSS. This is particularly true for buildings built prior to the 1980s.
- Purchasers or lessees of commercial properties: Buyers and lessees should ensure that a DSS has been undertaken, otherwise they may find themselves liable for hazardous substances that may be within the building structure.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failing to perform a required DSS has serious consequences. Non-compliance will result in legal penalties, possibly in fines and even shutdowns. More importantly, health risks due to hazardous substances, for example, asbestos, when exposed, could mean long-term sickness and subsequently, very expensive legal costs. This is why the guidance of professionals, such as Inch by Inch Inspections, is important to ensure that you are compliant.
Situations That Normally Call for a DSS
Construction and Renovation Projects
Before any construction or renovation project is started, a delegated substance survey is normally called for. This survey identifies dangerous materials that may be disturbed during the project in order to protect workers from harm and contamination. Such projects calling for a DSS are normally demolitions, major renovations and any project work that changes the structure of the building in any way. In such cases, a failure to conduct a DSS would leave people exposed to hazardous materials such as asbestos. Hence, asbestos removal in Oakville becomes a common practice following a DSS.
Property Transactions
Purchasing or leasing older buildings, especially those developed many years before the strict prohibition of hazardous materials such as asbestos, requires a DSS. This survey identifies any potential issues that may affect either the value or the safety of a property. For a buyer, it is a way to avoid remediation costs; for a seller, transparency can actually increase value. Without a DSS, tenants are exposing themselves to substantial health risks and legal liabilities when they lease a commercial property.
Workplace Safety Assessment
Employers have the duty to keep their work environments safe, and this responsibility is to be acted upon by implementing, among other measures, a designated substance survey. The ultimate goal of safety checks with DSS, among other things, is to maintain a healthy environment at work and constant adherence to relevant regulations regarding occupational health. These are much needed in industries like manufacturing, construction, and property management, where the use of hazardous materials is high.
How to Carry Out a Designated Substance Survey
Some of the steps involving a designated substance survey include the following:
- Inspection: It is carried out by an accredited inspector such as Inch by Inch Inspections who checks the building for probable areas having designated substances.
- Sampling and Testing: Samples of suspect materials are collected and taken to a laboratory for analysis to establish whether hazardous materials exist and at what concentration.
- Report Preparation: A detailed report is compiled stating the findings and making recommendations on how to deal with any risks exposed.
How to Interpret DSS Results
The findings of this survey must then be properly interpreted. If any hazardous materials are found, the report will indicate the location of such materials and make recommendations for their remediation. The test results must, therefore, be correctly understood in order to plan future construction or renovation work in a safe and compliant manner.
Post-Survey Actions
The next steps that would be recommended based on the DSS report findings are generally safe removal or management of hazardous materials identified. These may include specialized services like asbestos removal in Oakville, where experts carefully remove asbestos-containing materials from your site. In addition to this, updating the safety plan and notifying each concerned party about the findings is very important for sustained safety and compliance.
Designated Substance Survey: Vital for Safety
For anyone involved in construction, property transactions, or workplace safety, knowing when a designated substance survey is required is vital information. In most cases, it is mandated by the law to protect the health of workers and occupants from dangerous situations. Not taking a DSS will lead to serious legal penalties, pose very serious health risks, and court costs in attempts to remediate.
Whether you are embarking on a new construction project, buying an older property, or simply looking out for the safety of your workplace, consider consulting Inch by Inch Inspections to ensure that your project is conducted safely and in compliance with all applicable regulations.
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