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There are 11 primary designated substances in Ontario, and they include acrylonitrile, arsenic, asbestos, benzene, coke oven emissions, ethylene oxide, isocyanates, lead, mercury, silica, and vinyl chloride. Each of these substances poses risks to the environment and/or humans, making them highly regulated in the province. The only way to detect one of these substances is with some kind of designated substance survey.
The reason these 11 substances are “designated” in Ontario is that they all pose some kind of health risk to humans when exposed to them. Keeping construction workers away from these substances can help prevent long-term illness.
Asbestos, for example, is known to be harmful to the respiratory system and is known to cause cancer and mesothelioma. Similarly, benzene exposure is known to cause dizziness, drowsiness, and unconsciousness. Exposure to benzene is also linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, like leukemia. Given the severe health impacts that these substances have, it is best to keep them far away from humans.
In Ontario, before beginning any kind of construction or demolition work, a designated substance survey needs to be conducted in order to determine whether or not workers will be exposed to any type of harmful substances. Building owners or employers are required to notify construction personnel of any potential substances before work to help mitigate risks as well.
The intention behind this requirement is to protect workers from harm upon exposure to these substances.
Contact Inch by Inch Inspections today for a designated substance survey!
