At IES Consulting Group, we specialize in providing reliable and thorough Designated Substance Surveys (DSS) to help ensure compliance with Ontario’s health and safety regulations. With over 25 years of experience, our team is committed to helping you identify and manage hazardous materials in your workplace or project site effectively and safely.
What is a Designated Substance Survey?
Designated substances, as defined under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), are eleven substances which have been “designated” in the Province of Ontario. They are acrylonitrile, arsenic, asbestos, benzene, coke oven emissions, ethylene oxide, isocyanates, lead, mercury, silica and vinyl chloride. A Designated Substance Survey (DSS) is a detailed assessment conducted to identify the presence of designated substances at a workplace or construction site.
This survey is essential to:
- Protect workers from exposure to hazardous materials.
- Facilitate safe demolition, renovation, or maintenance activities.
- Ensure compliance with Ontario’s health and safety regulations.
Four of the designated substances are commonly found in building materials used in the construction of homes, offices and commercial buildings.
They are:
- Asbestos – Found in many buildings materials;
- Lead – Found in paint coatings, solder, bell & spigot pipe fittings, etc.;
- Mercury – Found in thermometers, pressure gauges, electrical switches, relays, etc. ; and
- Silica – Found in concrete, masonry, stone, refractory, etc.
When is a Designated Substance Survey Required in Ontario?
In Ontario, a DSS is required before starting any construction, demolition, or renovation project where workers may be exposed to designated substances. Building owners and employers are legally obligated to identify and disclose any hazardous materials to contractors and workers to prevent health risks.
The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that a list of all designated substances at a project site be provided to all bidders at the tendering stage. A Designated Substance Survey (DSS) identifies the designated substances present, their locations and concentrations. This information allows contractors involved in demolition or renovation activities to take appropriate steps to control exposure of workers and the general public to the designated substances that are present.
Failure to conduct a DSS can result in legal penalties, project delays, and increased risks to worker health and safety.
How is a Designated Substance Survey Performed?
Our DSS process involves the following steps:
- Initial Consultation: Understanding your project scope and site requirements.
- Site Inspection: Conducting a thorough visual assessment of the property to identify potential hazards.
- Material Sampling: Collecting samples of suspect materials for laboratory analysis.
- Laboratory Analysis: Testing samples in accredited laboratories to confirm the presence of designated substances.
- Comprehensive Reporting: Providing a detailed report that outlines the findings, locations, and recommendations for managing or removing hazardous materials.
Why Choose IES Consulting Group?
With over 25 years of experience performing Designated Substance Surveys across Ontario, IES Consulting Group offers:
- Expertise: Our certified consultants are highly knowledgeable in hazardous material identification and management.
- Regulatory Compliance: We ensure that all surveys meet the requirements of the OHSA and related regulations.
- Detailed Documentation: Our clear and concise reports provide actionable insights for managing designated substances.
- Timely Service: We work efficiently to help keep your project on schedule.
Protect Your Workers and Your Projects
A Designated Substance Survey is not just a legal requirement – it’s a critical step in safeguarding the health and safety of everyone involved in your project. Let IES Consulting Group provide the expertise you need for a compliant and secure workplace.
Contact Us
Contact IES Consulting Group today to schedule your Designated Substance Survey or to learn more about our comprehensive hazardous materials management services.
We also offer our Integrated Health and Safety Online Management Program (HSO), which goes hand in hand with efficient management of Designated Substances across multiple sites. HSO also unburdens a wide range of health and safety responsibilities. Call us today.
Have questions? See our video or write-up below, or just give us a call!
What is a Designated Substance Survey?
A Designated Substance Survey (DSS) is a legal requirement when renovating or demolishing a building in Ontario. A Designated Substance Survey (DSS) identifies the designated substances present, along with their locations and concentrations. Designated substances found in building materials may harm those performing work in the building as well as those in the immediate area where proper precautions are not employed.
Our professional, competent consultants have performed thousands of Designated Substance Surveys throughout Southern Ontario.
Why would I need to get this done?
The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that a list of all designated substances at a project site be provided to any contractors bidding on construction projects involving existing buildings. This information allows contractors involved in demolition or renovation activities to take appropriate steps to control exposure of workers and the general public to the designated substances that are present.
How is it performed?
A Designated Substance Survey is performed on a room-by-room basis. The survey is generally started on the exterior where all finishes and building materials are appropriately documented and sampled. We then move indoors and document each building material and collect bulk samples, as applicable. The samples are documented, packaged and sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. The site information is then collated with the analytical findings into a detailed report that provides the required information to properly manage, handle, remove and dispose of any designated substances.
IES Consulting can also help you identify local abatement contractors and provide detailed specifications for the safe and proper disposal of any identified designated substances at your site.
How much will it cost?
The cost to perform a Designated Substance Survey in Ontario varies widely. The reasoning for this is based on the differing eras of building materials, square footage, and different finishes inside the building in question. Rest assured that IES Consulting provides our services in the most competent, efficient manner possible at a fraction of the cost of our competitors.
Reach out to IES Consulting today to see how we can help.