Environmental

Expect straight answers to environmental problems and cost effective solutions to help your business operate smoothly. Because we teach classes in safety, asbestos, lead, and hazardous materials, our personnel keep current on changing regulations, technologies, and safety equipment. We provide services in the following areas:

• Asbestos
• Lead Testing
• Construction Management for Remedial Projects
• Hazardous Material Surveys & Plans
• Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments
• Facility Response Plans
• Integrated Contingency Plans
• Storage Tank Management
• Compliance Management
  

Asbestos:

• Regulatory review and compliance update
• Building/facility surveys
• Assessments
• Bulk sampling
• Maintenance (O&M) Programs.
• Corrective action procedures and programs
• Abatement design and bid evaluation
• Abatement monitoring and administration

Lead Testing:

Lead in paint and surface coatings becomes a hazard when it is disturbed. This occurs during sanding, cutting, drilling or welding. The lead particles that are released into the air settle on surfaces – including clothing, skin and hair. These particles become a health hazard by inhalation, ingestion, or absorption. If released, these particles may be quickly transferred from area to area, thus creating multiple areas of contamination. AOE can assist owners and building managements in removing and managing lead-containing paints, coatings, and plumbing systems, by providing visual surveys, non-destructive testing, removal monitoring and administration, O & M programs and training.

Our consultants are familiar with OSHA regulations and government guidelines for lead. We monitor all abatement activities, including personal monitoring, to ensure compliance with these federal, state and local regulations. Close attention to detail and regulations, proper training and accreditation of our technicians allow AOE to provide effective management options for lead-related concerns.

Possible health hazard - OSHA has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for lead at 50 micrograms per cubic meter over an eight-hour period. Early symptoms of lead exposure are similar to the flu or simple fatigue. Other symptoms include: loss of appetite, metallic taste in mouth, constipation, muscle and joint pain, and stomach cramps. Effects on the nervous system include numbness, slowness and intense irritability. Exposure to lead can also cause severe damage to the bones, blood and kidneys.

Construction Management for Remedial Projects:

Experience, innovation, and strategic guidance are essential for cost effective management of this type of project. We have a proven capacity to rapidly and successfully develop solutions and to accelerate project completion.

Hazardous Material Surveys & Plans:

A Hazardous Materials Survey usually follows a Phase I ESA, which has identified the potential for one or more hazardous materials to be present based on the age of the building, or, in some cases, suspected based on visual observations and experience of the individual surveying.

There are strict federal guidelines for allowable human health exposure limits to these substances in place, when they are removed and how they are transported and disposed of. Hazardous materials can be found in bulk form as solid or liquid chemicals such as in a laboratory, or in building materials. For example, asbestos can be found in pipe insulation, wall plaster, floor and ceiling tiles, window caulking and outside transit wallboard. PCBs are typically found in transformer oils and electrical insulation. Mercury and radioactive substances can be found in electrical equipment and gauges. Lead can be found in old pipes, solder and paint.

Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments:

AOE will evaluate and solve today's most complex environmental challenges. We evaluate the environmental condition of commercial and industrial properties before they are bought, sold or developed.

We perform assessments of properties in real estate transactions, investigation and feasibility studies of contaminated sites, evaluation and/or management of remedial actions, and work with our clients by representing them before regulatory agencies.

We can evaluate your potential environmental risks confidently. If needed, our capabilities include surveys, comprehensive soil, surface water and groundwater quality analysis, and other testing procedures that can provide a more complete assessment of site conditions. Our field sampling activity is conducted under quality assurance procedures, using the approved techniques and equipment.

Facility Response Plans:

Facilities that could cause substantial harm to the environment are required to prepare and submit facility response plans. The EPA provides two methods by which a facility may be classified as a “substantial harm facility” under the oil pollution prevention regulations. These methods are 1) a determination by the Regional Administrator or 2) through a self-selection process. The EPA has established criteria to aid facilities in the self-selection process to determine whether they qualify as "substantial harm facilities.” We have the staff to provide expert advice and assist in this planning.

Integrated Contingency Plans:

The Integrated Contingency Plan (ICP) provides a basis for activity to comply with regulations governing spill prevention planning and emergency response for oil and hazardous materials. A number of statutes and regulations, administered by several federal agencies, include requirements for emergency response planning. A particular facility may be subject to one or more of the following federal regulations:

• Facility Response Plan (FRP)
• Emergency Response Action Plan (ERAP)
• Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC)
• Plan requirements under 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 112
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) HAZWOPER requirements under 29 CFR 1910.120
• OSHA's Emergency Action Plan Regulation - 29 CFR 1910.38(a);
• OSHA's Process Safety Standard - 29 CFR 1910.119;

In addition, facilities may also be subject to state emergency response planning requirements that the above guidance does not specifically address. Our team works with you to develop your ICP with relevant state and local agencies to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Storage Tank Management:

Tank services include managing existing systems and supervising the removal of above ground and underground tanks, conducting soil and groundwater investigations, estimating remediation costs, conducting site remediation and preparing your "closure reports". We assist owners with regard to strict federal and state requirements.

Compliance Management:

AOE offers our clients extensive knowledge and expertise in environmental compliance requirements at federal, state and local levels. We have the capability of providing rapid response to immediate compliance issues, on-going assistance with meeting environmental program goals, and even turnkey management of your environmental affairs.