Gallagher Bassett Technical Services routinely provide environmental testing services associated with overall maintenance and best management practices for commercial, residential, and educational structures. We blend our multi-disciplined team to deliver a wide range of environmental consulting services, supporting building operations, renovations, occupant complaints, emergency response to water intrusion, spills, regulatory reporting, and compliance.
GBTS Provides Services in the Following Areas:
- Asbestos testing services, including inspections and abatement
- Lead testing services for paint and water
- Mold assessment services and remediation programs
- IAQ testing and IEQ assessments to improve indoor air quality
- Radon testing and consultation
- Right-to-Know/Tier II/SARA Title III/Hazard Communication
- Water damage assessments and intrusion testing
- PCBs and universal waste inspections
Asbestos Testing Services
Our technical experts have over 35 years of experience conducting asbestos testing and reporting. They’ve surveyed millions of square feet of property for asbestos and hazardous materials in high-rise commercial structures, schools, universities, museums, and residential buildings nationwide.
We provide the following asbestos testing services:
- Asbestos inspections and reporting for regulatory compliance
- 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, including air monitoring
- Worker exposure monitoring
- Proactive air surveys
- The preparation of Operations and Maintenance Programs for managing asbestos in place
Lead Testing Services
Our certified lead-based paint inspectors and risk assessors specialize in identifying and mitigating lead hazards. Our certified risk assessors may also offer lead water testing services or inspections for lead-based paint.
We perform the following lead testing services:
- Lead in Construction Programs compliant with OSHA 29 CFR 1926.62
- Inspections to detect lead in paint, dust, and soil
- Lead water testing services for drinking water safety
- Comprehensive risk assessments for lead exposure
Our investigations include the collection of paint chips for laboratory analysis. Lead sampling will normally include the collection of paint chip samples from all interior and exterior building components, including structural steel. Samples are analyzed in accordance with US Environmental Protection Agency Method 7000b, using Flame Atomic Spectrophotometry (AAS) by a laboratory which participates in the National Voluntary Accreditation Program.
Mold Testing / Assessment Services
Our team is certified to conduct mold assessments and testing in states where certification is required. We respond quickly to water intrusion events, helping to prevent the need for costly remediation by addressing issues early.
Our mold assessment services include:
- Moisture mapping with advanced thermal imaging and moisture meters
- Bulk and air sampling for mold analysis through independent laboratories
- Preparation of remediation programs, including oversight and post-remediation verification
- Immediate response to water intrusion events, ensuring drying and cleanup within the first 48 hours
IAQ Testing and IEQ Assessments
Our team conducts IAQ testing and IEQ assessments 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, 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 paint, we often combine those inspections 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.
Environmental Health and Safety Plans (eHASP/EHS)
The goals of an Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) plan include:
- Ensuring the well-being and safety of all individuals involved in the organization or project. This includes employees, contractors, visitors, and the surrounding community.
- Making sure the organization or project is in compliance with all relevant environmental, health, and safety laws, regulations, and standards (locally, nationally and internationally). This includes asbestos testing services, lead water testing services, and mold and asbestos inspection.
- Minimizing the organization’s environmental impact by implementing environmental testing services to prevent pollution, reduce waste generation, and conserve resources.
- Identifying and assessing risks and hazards through asbestos assessment, radon assessment, and mold assessment services. The plan establishes procedures to mitigate risks and prevent accidents, injuries, or environmental incidents.
- Including mechanisms for ongoing evaluation, monitoring, and improvement of performance through IEQ testing, IAQ testing, and IEQ assessment 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 and may include critical services like asbestos testing, mold assessment, and PCB testing services.
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. For example, facilities often include data from asbestos inspection and assessment, IAQ assessment, and PCB risk assessment to ensure transparency and safety compliance.
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. These reports may also incorporate information from lead paint inspections, mold and asbestos inspection, and radon assessment to address environmental concerns.
The information provided in a Tier II/Community Right to Know report is 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. This includes hazards identified through asbestos survey, indoor environmental quality testing, and IAQ testing. It also allows local authorities to assess the risks to the surrounding community and develop appropriate emergency response plans.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910-1200 speaks to the obligation to inform workers of the hazards of chemicals that may be produced or brought into their workplace. This standard includes ensuring proper communication about materials identified in environmental testing, mold air/bulk testing, and asbestos abatement efforts, making it the second most cited OSHA violation in 2023.
GBTS provides this service to a number of our Real Estate, Industrial, and Construction clients to ensure they are in compliance with these requirements. Our team can also incorporate lead testing service compliance and environmental testing services for a more comprehensive approach.
Radon
GBTS can conduct short-term initial radon testing services using activated charcoal absorption packets. The testing will be conducted by trained individuals 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. Our services often include asbestos and lead testing, indoor environmental testing, and environmental mold testing to address hazardous conditions caused by environmental damage.
Unlike most environmental, health, and safety firms, our personnel are 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 Situations Include:
- Accidental release
- Water events / Water Loss
- Impacts to hazardous materials
- Spills
- Weather driven events