Gallagher Bassett Technical Services routinely provide building sciences services associated with overall maintenance and best management practices related to Commercial, Residential and Educational structures. We blend our multi-disciplined team to provide a wide range of environmental consulting services necessary for building operations, renovations, occupant complaints, emergency response to water intrusion, spills, regulatory reporting and compliance.
GBTS provides services in the following areas:
- Asbestos
- Lead
- Mold Assessment
- IAQ/EIQ Assessments
- Radon
- Right-to-Know/Tier II/SARA Title III/Hazard Communication
- Water damage assessments or intrusion
- PCBs
- Universal Wastes
Asbestos
Our technical experts have more than 35 years of experience conducting asbestos testing and reporting. They’ve surveyed millions of square feet of property for asbestos and hazardous materials in commercial high-rise structures, schools, universities, religious institutions, museums, and residential buildings, nationally.
We provide the following asbestos related services:
- Asbestos inspections and reporting
- Pre-demolition and pre-renovation NESHAP surveys
- Preparation of Specification and Drawings for abatement
- Bid period services (mediating contractor walkthroughs, response to RFI, and Bid leveling)
- Asbestos abatement oversight services
- Worker exposure monitoring
- Proactive air surveys
- The preparation of Operations and Maintenance Programs for managing asbestos in place
Lead
Our certified lead-based paint inspectors aim to determine whether lead-based paint is present and where it is located. A certified risk assessor may also conduct a risk assessment to determine if any lead hazards are present in paint, dust, or soil.
We perform:
- Lead in Construction Programs compliant with 29 CFR 1926.62
- Inspections
- Risk assessments
- Lead in Drinking Water
Mold/Water Damage Assessment
Our team in states requiring certifications are certified as mold assessors working under the firm’s certification as a firm certified to provide mold consulting services.
Our team routinely respond to water intrusion events, whether caused by construction or weather related events. The key, is to respond to the event, stop the source, attempt to clean up and dry. Important to address within the first 48 hours of the event to prevent a more costly mold/remediation clean up event.
Our staff can respond to water event, perform moisture mapping using moisture meters and thermal imagery cameras, provide this to the owner/contractor to immediately address then provide post verification. If not addressed in a timely fashion, we remain available to prepare remediation programs, provide oversight and post remediation verification.
We remain available to provide for bulk and air sample for mold using highly qualified independent laboratories
throughout the country.
IAQ/IEQ Assessments
Our team conducts air monitoring to the standard of care and consistent with the requirements/ recommendations of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).
This includes all types of indoor air quality testing, such as for occupant comfort parameters (temp, relative humidity, CO, CO2, airborne respirable particulates), mold, asbestos, lead, hazardous materials, radon gas, and other targeted environmental contaminants if a potential source can be identified. Our IAQ inspections also include an examination of heating and ventilation systems and locations of all air intakes.
Hazardous Building Materials Surveys
In addition to routinely conducting building inspections for the presence of asbestos and lead, we often combine those inspection with an investigation for Universal wastes and polychlorinated biPhenyls (PCBs). Universal waste is a category of waste designated as “hazardous,” but containing materials that are common. The USEPA has established regulations relative to the management and disposal of universal waste material, such as batteries, pesticides, thermostats, fluorescent lights, electronic light ballasts (which contain PCBs), mercury switches, etc. GBTS conducts comprehensive building surveys to identify potential environmental issues associated with the presence of universal waste materials, particularly in structures which are scheduled for demolition.
PCBs
PCBs used in building materials have been found to be highly toxic, leading to their ban in the late 1970s. Can cause adverse health effects including cancer and negative impact on the immune, reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems.
In testing for PCBs, a sampling plan is created that includes testing IAQ to determine if PCBs are above the standard exposure levels in the environment. Building materials are also tested to identify the source of the PCBs. If the levels are above the allowed amount, GBTS can also create a corrective action plan and manage the abatement services.
Environmental Health and Safety Plans (eHASP/EHS)
The goals of an Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) plan include:
- The primary goal of an EHS plan is to ensure the well-being and safety of all individuals involved in the organization or project. This includes employees, contractors, visitors, and the surrounding community.
- An EHS plan aims to ensure that the organization or project is in compliance with all relevant environmental, health, and safety laws, regulations, and standards. This includes local, national, and international requirements.
- Another important goal of an EHS plan is to minimize the organization's impact on the environment. This involves implementing measures to prevent pollution, reduce waste generation, conserve resources, and promote sustainable practices.
- An EHS plan aims to identify and assess potential risks and hazards associated with the organization's activities. It then establishes measures and procedures to mitigate these risks and prevent accidents, injuries, or environmental incidents.
- An EHS plan should include mechanisms for ongoing evaluation, monitoring, and improvement of environmental, health, and safety performance. This involves setting targets, measuring progress, and implementing corrective actions to enhance EHS practices over time.
HazCom/Community Right to know/Tier II/Sara Title III
The Community Right to Know is a legal principle that grants individuals and communities the right to access information about potential hazards and risks in their environment. It is often associated with environmental and public health issues.
The Community Right to Know is typically implemented through legislation or regulations that require certain industries or facilities to disclose information about the types and quantities of hazardous substances they use or release into the environment. This information is then made available to the public, allowing individuals and communities to be informed about potential risks and take appropriate actions to protect themselves.
In other portions of the country, this reporting may be referred to as a Tier II report. A Tier II report, also known as a Tier II form or Tier II inventory report, is a document that provides detailed information about the hazardous chemicals stored or used by a facility. It is a requirement under the Community Right to Know laws in many countries, including the United States.
The information provided in a Tier II/Community Right to Know reports are crucial for emergency planning and response efforts. It helps emergency responders understand the potential hazards they may encounter in the event of an accident or incident at the facility. It also allows local authorities to assess the risks to the surrounding community and develop appropriate emergency response plans.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910-1200 speak to obligation to inform workers of the hazardous of chemicals which may be produced or brought into their work place, second most cited OSHA violation in 2023.
GBTS provides this service to a number of our Real Estate/Industrial/Construction clients to ensure they are in compliance with these requirements.
Radon
GBTS can conduct short-term initial radon testing using activated charcoal absorption packets. The testing will be conducted by a Florida Radon Measurement Technician or Specialist in accordance with the ANSI/AARST Protocol for Conduction Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurements in Multifamily Buildings.
Immediate Response
From hurricanes and fires to tornadoes or floods, Gallagher Bassett (GB) is committed to our clients’ safety in the time of a catastrophic event. We pride ourselves on responding quickly and focusing on outcome-based solutions that mitigate risk and deliver expedient resolutions. Unlike most environmental, health, and safety firms, our personnel is well-versed in insurance issues surrounding coverage, liability, and setting of timely and accurate reserves.
We maintain expertise across the required disciplines: Environmental, Certified Hazardous Material Managers, Spill Response Experts, Remediation Managers, Construction Inspectors & Experts, and Industrial Hygienists.
We serve multiple industries…. Transportation, Construction, Real estate, Property Management, Industrial, Manufacturing.
Types of response situation:
- Accidental release
- Water events / Water Loss
- Impacts to hazardous materials
- Spills
- Weather driven events