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Federal,
State, and Local Governmental Agencies
WESTECH
provided laboratory support in the areas of industrial hygiene,
indoor air quality, and environmental analyses for a prominent
Federal intelligence agency. We remain actively involved in
the development of laboratory testing strategies for a multitude
of governmental agencies. WESTECH provides laboratory analyses
to State agencies and HAZMAT firms in response to highway
spills to expeditiously identify unknown products and to verify
known products.
Engineering,
Geotechnical, and Environmental
WESTECH
provides continual laboratory support to Engineering, Geotechnical,
and Environmental firms across the country for projects
related to Environmental Site Characterizations and Assessments,
Hazardous Waste Characterizations, Highway Development Projects,
Phase Auditing, Soil and Groundwater Investigations, Wetlands
Delineation Projects, Asbestos and Lead Assessments. WESTECH
provides air, soil, and groundwater analyses to support
the PA UST Program and ACT II requirements. We have expanded
and will continue to expand our technical capabilities in
the area of air analyses for air canister samples for the
evaluation of volatile organic compounds (TO15), C3-C10,
and BTEX. Westech also provides wastewater analyses in support
of projects that require NPDES analyses, storm water analyses,
and groundwater monitoring for landfill requirements.
Industrial
Hygiene Services
WESTECH
provides continual laboratory support to Air Quality and
Industrial Hygiene Consulting firms across the country for
projects related to health and safety audits, OSHA compliance,
stack testing, and industrial hygiene surveys. Our laboratory
is currently enrolled in the American Industrial Hygiene
Association (AIHA) accreditation program under the Proficiency
Analytical Testing (PAT) Program for metals and will enter
the PAT Program for volatile organics to expand our credentials.
Westech provides a wide range of air quality and industrial
hygiene analyses for a large number of consultants, engineers,
industries, schools, hospitals, municipalities, and governmental
agencies to assist their health and safety professionals
with emergencies, OHSA compliance issues, and base-line
audits. As an example of our commitment to serving our clients,
Westech was called upon by a local school district to conduct
emergency air analyses to support the cleanup efforts prompted
by a diesel tank spill. Our employees committed an entire
weekend to ensure that the analyses results were delivered
to the Superintendent on Sunday so that school could resume
Monday morning with documentation that the health and well
being of students, staff, and professional faculty were
not compromised.
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----GOVERNMENTAL----
Federal Governmental Agencies,
Multiple Sites
WESTECH professionals teamed
with a prominent hazardous waste remediation company to develop
and implement Site Specific Health and Safety Plans (HASPs)
for the cleanup of Anthrax in multiple government facilities
located in Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. The initial
HASPs were developed over Thanksgiving weekend 2001, at the
request of the Government, due to their need to expedite the
project. The projects required intense preparedness to gather
the resources and manpower to coordinate, schedule, and mobilize
our team. Throughout the duration of each project, WESTECH
professionals provided site safety supervision to ensure that
the cleanup progressed according to the regulatory requirements
as well as in a prompt and safe manner. The high-profile projects
required long days, evenings, and weekends at each site to
successfully complete each project on time, within budget,
and most importantly in a safe and thorough manner. Each project
was unique and therefore required specialized planning, preparedness,
work practices, and implementation. Based on our team’s
exemplary performance, the Government has indicated that our
team will be requested to work on additional facilities in
Washington D.C. and New York City.
Federal Governmental
Agency
WESTECH professionals
worked with a prominent Federal Bureau to develop, maintain,
and manage a full range of services and projects in the
areas of industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, health
and safety, and environmental sciences for a federal complex
having more than 1.5 million square feet of building space
and 1,500 personnel and other non-government employees.
WESTECH worked to assure that the emerging bureau-wide health
and safety program was instituted in conformance with the
existing program, regulatory mandates, and bureau policies,
procedures and goals. To that end, we performed work in
tandem with the Bureau’s lead Occupational Safety and
Health Manager.
Federal Service Agency
WESTECH professionals served
as this Federal Service Agency’s lead consultant in the
areas of industrial hygiene, safety, asbestos and lead for
installations located in the Harrisburg, PA Metropolitan area.
The projects required extensive detailed experience, particularly
with conducting asbestos and lead inspections, investigations,
reporting, specification preparation, planning, NESHAP permitting,
abatement and remediation project management and oversight.
Extensive detailed experience was also provided for the execution
of microbial investigations, identifications, and remediation
in those same venues.
Federal Governmental Agency
WESTECH professionals
were contracted by a government agency to develop and perform
a full evaluation of indoor air quality and ergonomics for
a complex having more than 700,000 square feet of building
space and over 3,400 employees. WESTECH professionals evaluated
an extensive range of airborne chemical contaminants that
included formaldehyde, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic
compounds and carbon monoxide. Airborne biological contaminants
such as fungi, bacteria, arthropods, antigens, endotoxins
and viruses were also evaluated on a complex wide basis. Ventilation
systems throughout the complex were evaluated for number of
air exchanges per hour, oxygen, carbon dioxide and comfort
factors (relative humidity and temperature). The existing
ergonomics program was evaluated and a complex wide workplace
assessment of selected locations for ergonomic factors was
completed. An additional phase of the project was a workforce
survey of ergonomic symptoms utilizing at least 2000 employees
that was developed, distributed and evaluated by WESTECH professionals.
The complete project was performed in two phases with a full
indoor air quality study and the ergonomics assessment performed
in March of 2000 and a second full IEQ/IAQ survey repeated
in July of 2000.
Federal Governmental Agency
WESTECH professionals
were contracted to conduct an industrial hygiene survey related
to an asbestos release. The agency then utilized WESTECH professionals
to represent the Government to ensure that the cleanup progressed
according to the regulatory requirements and in a prompt manner.
The high-profile project required our involvement for sixteen
hours per day (two shifts), seven days per week, for approximately
three weeks. The project was professionally completed on time,
within budget, and most importantly in a safe and thorough
manner. A combination of air and surface samples were collected
throughout the project to safely clear each effected area
for occupancy.
State Governmental Agency
WESTECH professionals
served as the primary environmental, health and safety (EHS)
consultants for a Department within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
for all of their facilities. Routine and specialized abatement
plans were developed for the execution of abatement work,
with tightly controlled contractor selection, removal, and
disposal of asbestos and lead. Additionally, a full menu of
safety, health, radiation and environmental services were
provided for the satisfaction of needs throughout the Department’s
facilities. WESTECH professionals participated in and created
many complex projects requiring high degrees of performance
and technical expertise to attain the goals set by the agency.
State Governmental Agency
WESTECH professionals
served as the primary environmental, health and safety (EHS)
consultants for a Department within the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania in the areas of indoor air quality and industrial
hygiene. WESTECH professionals prepared the design and conducted
a detailed indoor air quality survey to detail the conditions
in the three parts of the main administration complex prior
to an extensive rehabilitation and replacement of the primary
ventilation systems. WESTECH professionals supervised the
cleaning of over 400 supply diffusers and adjacent ceiling
surfaces as a cosmetic and contaminant reduction measure
for the systems. Air samples were collected for fungi, yeast,
bacteria, and dust. Determinations for carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide, temperature, and relative humidity were also made.
Results of the survey revealed that there were high levels
of fungal contamination in the lower levels of the building.
WESTECH professionals worked with the agency to resolve
other issues related to contamination within the buildings
provided a strategy to cost-effectively deal with the contamination
while ensuring the health and welfare of the building occupants.
State Governmental Agency
WESTECH professionals
served as the primary environmental, health and safety (EHS)
consultants for a Department within the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania in the areas of indoor air quality, industrial
hygiene, and mold. Development of air, wipe, and bulk samples
and the database resultant to the surveys revealed that
the water within a facility’s cooling tower was contaminated
with a microorganism. Results further revealed that the
same organism was found in the nearby fresh air intake ductwork
and within the occupied spaces within the building. WESTECH
advised the agency to simply drain, clean, and disinfect
the cooling tower with chemicals to destroy the yeast population,
then implement procedures to control the microbial levels
within the water. Following the treatment process, samples
of the cooling tower water confirmed that the microbial
levels were greatly reduced. Upon completion of some in-house
repairs and maintenance, the microbial levels within the
building were also greatly reduced from which the project
was considered a complete success.
County Agency
WESTECH professionals
served as a County’s primary consultant in the area of
indoor air quality, industrial hygiene and microbiology. Employee
complaints initiated an indoor air quality survey of the third
floor of a Court House Annex. The results of the survey indicated
sufficient fungal contamination within the spaces occupied
by the personnel complaining about the indoor air. It appeared
from the results that the symptoms presented by the personnel
could be associated with the types and numbers of organisms
determined. The inspection determined several contributing
factors and corrective action recommendations were made.
Local Townships
WESTECH professionals work
for a local Pennsylvania Township to conduct pre- and post-decontamination
Indoor Air Quality testing at two locations within the township
to evaluate the microbial populations during the cleanup
prompted by a sewer backup and overflow. Air and surface
samples were taken prior to cleanup to establish the extent
of the initial contamination, and after the cleanup, to
determine whether the cleanup was successful. WESTECH professionals
were also asked by another local Pennsylvania Township to
provide a professional review of a bioremediation specification
developed by another consultant to ensure that the project
was being properly performed.
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---SCHOOLS
& UNIVERSITIES---
School District
WESTECH professionals provided
consulting for a School District in the areas of indoor air
quality, industrial hygiene and mold. Excessive rain produced
a flooding situation in a courtyard of the elementary school
and into several classrooms. An indoor air quality survey
of the effected areas was performed and the results indicated
significant fungal contamination. The inspection determined
several contributing factors and corrective action recommendations
were made.
College
WESTECH professionals provided
consulting to a College in the areas of indoor air quality,
industrial hygiene, mold and elevated humidity. Elevated
relative humidity levels resulting from improper operation
of the HVAC systems resulted in fungal growth in the library.
The types of fungi and the areas affected were determined,
and corrective recommendations were provided to the client.
School District
WESTECH professionals
provided consulting to School District that had various issues
related to indoor air quality and microbiology (bioaerosols),
particularly in the district’s high school. The terrain
and the school design and construction have created a moisture
problem in the school buildings, resulting in some elevated
fungi counts within the schools. Indoor air quality surveys
have been and continue to be performed to monitor the fungal
types and levels of contamination. The surveys have determined
several possible contributing factors and corrective recommendations
have been developed.
School District
WESTECH professionals
worked as the School District’s lead consultants in
the area of indoor air quality, relative humidity problems,
and microbiology (bioaerosols). The design and installation
of an HVAC system in one of the schools of the district
has created a moisture problem in the school building during
the summer months, resulting in some elevated fungi counts
in the school and damage to various educational supplies
(books, papers, and other vulnerable materials). Indoor
air quality surveys have been and continue to be performed
to monitor the relative humidity levels, fungal types and
levels of contamination. The surveys have determined several
possible contributing factors and corrective recommendations
have been developed.
University
WESTECH professional were
chosen by a prominent eastern university to conduct a complex
Indoor Air Quality Survey. The survey consisted of taking
air and surface samples for microbiological organisms in
one of their buildings. As an adjunct to that survey the
consultants were tasked to assist in the definition of the
extent of a proposed bioremediation and duct cleaning project.
Observations, Conclusions, and Recommendations were given
in a final report.
College
WESTECH professionals
were chosen by a prominent college as their health and safety
professionals for the major renovation of an on-campus dormitory.
WESTECH was tasked to conduct a hazardous materials inspection,
develop a remediation design specification, and provide
onsite safety supervision to ensure safe and effective implementation
of the specification, as well as perform air monitoring
and clearance sampling. The project included coordination
of work with the College, Construction Management Firm,
Design Professional, Hazardous Materials Remediation Contractors,
and Construction Firms involved in the project.
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---CONSTRUCTION---
International Demolition Contractor
WESTECH professionals
were selected to provide industrial hygiene and safety engineering
for the implosion of a prominent government building. In that
capacity, WESTECH worked to ensure that the demolition specialists
and other workers were protected against exposures from airborne
contaminants generated during the preparation of the building.
General construction/demolition safety and control of releases
of airborne contaminants to the environment, worker protection,
and site safety supervision were within the scope of work
performed. Fire protection and prevention consulting was also
provided for spaces within the building where "hot work"
(torch cutting operations) were routinely performed by the
workers.
Local Construction Company
WESTECH professionals
served as the lead safety consultants for a local prominent
construction company. Our role includes project safety,
site safety supervision, training, and program development,
maintenance, and implementation.
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---MANUFACTURING
AND INDUSTRIAL---
Major International Manufacturing
Company
WESTECH professionals
conducted ongoing safety, health, environmental, and industrial
hygiene consulting at their US based and international based
facilities. We recently completed a project for them in Brazil,
South America. We anticipate future projects in South America,
Canada, and Europe.
Major Pharmaceutical Company
WESTECH professionals
were selected as this large progressive pharmaceutical company’s
lead consultant in the areas of indoor air quality, industrial
hygiene, and safety. The company has tasked WESTECH professionals
with the responsibility of investigating indoor air quality
episodes. Industrial hygiene and safety services are classic
professional services delivered to assure that the production
and associated operations are accomplished in compliance with
existing regulations and guidelines. WESTECH professionals
prepared standard operating procedures for the recognition,
evaluation, management, protection from and control of exposures,
as well as other elements to protect employees working in
areas where microbiological organisms may be encountered or
were a concern.
Airplane Parts Manufacturer
WESTECH professionals served
as specialized consultants for an airplane parts manufacturer
in the area of point source air emissions testing. That stack
testing service was performed in conjunction with the study
of emissions from a complex forging operation at one of the
company’s Pennsylvania facilities. Development of air
emissions statements, plan reviews, and permitting for Title
V compliance and Synthetic and Natural Minor classification
were accomplished. Performance of stack testing per EPA methodologies
and specialized stack testing for measurement of air emissions,
recommendations for pollution control technology applications,
vendor, and bid review for technical and economic acceptability,
selection of provider vendor, oversight of installation and
acceptance testing of control devices and technologies were
delivered. A considerable portion of the project was dedicated
to meeting with the regulatory agencies to assure that the
manufacturer was proceeding along the right pathways in its
desire to comply with technical and regulatory parameters.
International Manufacturing Corporation
WESTECH professionals
performed numerous safety health and environmental surveys
and investigations at several of the Pennsylvania plants operated
by a major international manufacturer of refrigeration equipment
and other related equipment. Operations include metal fabrication,
machining, assembly, warehousing and other production and
distribution operations. We have worked with the company to
assure that operations are carried out in compliance with
OSHA and EPA regulations and requirements. Surveys involving
metal fumes, particulates, cutting fluids, organic solvents,
cleaning agents, asbestos, fibrous glass, amines, isocyanates,
and other toxic agents, have been performed by industrial
hygiene personnel. Safety and environmental services have
also been provided.
Investment Recovery and Recycler
WESTECH professionals
provided specialized industrial hygiene, consultative, and
business consultative services for this investment recovery
and materials recycling company. The entity recycles and
processes telecommunication cable of varying types and sizes.
The company has experienced routine high exposures of personnel
to airborne lead, as well as other airborne contaminants,
such as particulates. WESTECH professionals planned, developed
and implemented air pollution control technology applications
for the production and support operations. We have overseen
and managed the installation of the control equipment, and
performed acceptance testing of the systems in compliance
with OSHA, EPA and State of Pennsylvania regulatory requirements.
We have worked in close association with the providers of
communication cables, state, federal and other governmental
agencies, for the best, most efficient and cost effective
methods to maximize the benefits derived from this investment
recovery and recycling business.
Specialized Machining Shop
WESTECH professionals were
tasked by a Specialized Machining Shop to investigate and
spearhead the elimination of a difficult and serious Indoor
Air Quality problem, experienced by both production and office
personnel. This survey included a combination of dip samples
of cutting oil coolant reservoirs, several sterile swab surface
wipes of suspected microbial growth, and a number of selected
bioaerosol samples for fungi and bacteria to determine if
possible sources or reservoirs of contamination by biological
organisms (fungi and/or bacteria) had developed in the facility,
and moreover, if this growth may in any way have contributed
to potential air quality problems persisting within the facility.
Observations, conclusions, and recommendations were given
in a final report. The elimination of the causative agent
was confirmed by post testing.
Major Manufacturing Companies
WESTECH professionals provided
two major manufacturing companies ongoing consulting services
to develop and maintain their environmental and safety compliance
programs. Extremely pleased with the performance and success,
the companies continued the program for more than two years
until their in-house personnel were adequately trained to
maintain the programs put in place.
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---MOLD
IN COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS---
Metropolitan
Health System
WESTECH professionals
served as a prominent metropolitan health system and hospital’s
lead professional consultants in the areas of indoor air
quality, indoor environmental quality, and microbiology.
The services included a variety of industrial hygiene and
other specialized services for the hospital operations.
All services were delivered with great emphasis placed on
handling the public relations in order to gain a high level
of confidence within the employee population. WESTECH professionals
developed the microbiological remediation specification
for the removal of water damaged, contaminated building
materials (i.e., drywall, insulation and ceiling tiles),
in the presence of ongoing sensitive hospital operations,
including birthing centers and other particularly and especially
sensitive areas and operations. The project demanded a high
level of detail and professional expertise to protect and
isolate the non-affected areas of the hospital from the
areas where the remediation was performed.
Property Development and Management Company
WESTECH professionals
provided a real estate management company consulting services
that included a Limited Indoor Air Quality survey at one
of their New Jersey properties where extensive water damage
occurred as a result of the winds and rains from a hurricane.
Water remediation had been completed and a microbiological
survey was conducted to address the concerns with regards
to airborne and surface microorganisms (i.e. bacteria and
fungi). Mold remediation specifications were developed and
implemented for the effected areas. Clearance criteria were
met and the building was cleared for safe occupancy.
Property Development and Management Company
WESTECH professionals
provided a leading real estate management enterprise consulting
services that included a Preliminary Site Survey of one of
their New Jersey properties. The building had been vacant
for a number of years and prior to the future occupation,
the company requested an asbestos inspection and an Indoor
Air Quality/Indoor Environmental Air Quality survey to address
their concerns, Remediation work, as warranted by the surveys
conducted, was completed based on our corrective actions developed.
Upon completion of all remediation work, the building was
cleared for safe occupancy and leased to a nationally known
company.
Major Insurance Company
WESTECH professionals
were selected by a major insurance company to conduct a
heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems
evaluation. The evaluation consisted of a review of the
HVAC system blueprints, discussions and interviews with
facility personnel, a walk through of the areas serviced
by this system, visual inspection of the interior of the
system, video taping of the interior of ductwork, bioaerosol
sampling for airborne fungi and bacteria, carbon dioxide,
and IAQ comfort factors (relative humidity and temperature).
Observations, conclusions, and recommendations were provided
within our investigative report.
Insurance Companies & Adjusters — Fire, Wind, and
Water Losses
WESTECH routinely provides
insurance companies and insurance adjusters a cost-effective
approach to prevent mold growth on losses where extensive
water damage has occurred (i.e. fire, wind, construction,
etc.). Most often, our services are requested to assess the
extent of water damage within the first 24 hours of the loss,
then develop and coordinate the implementation of immediate
corrective actions (i.e. drying, dehumidification, etc.) within
the first 72 hours of the loss with the restoration company.
Once the initial corrective actions have been completed and
the moisture levels have been significantly reduced, we recommend
additional corrective actions (if warranted) to prevent mold
growth. When requested or warranted, we also document the
indoor environmental conditions (i.e. moisture levels, mold
levels, etc.) prior to the implementation of corrective actions,
then document those conditions once the corrective actions
have been completed. This approach is most commonly utilized
to demonstrate to the building occupants that the indoor environmental
conditions, with regards to the mold populations, were restored
to the conditions that existed prior to the onset of the restoration
activities.
Lending Institutions & Insurance Companies — Mold
Concerns
Due to the vast concern regarding
mold and our indoor environment, we provide lending institutions
and insurance companies with our cost-effective approach
to assessing commercial and residential properties of all
sizes for the presence of mold prior to resale. Our assessments
are routinely conducted as an integral portion of the PHASE
I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) on large commercial
and residential properties or as a stand-alone assessment
on smaller commercial and residential properties. Many times,
mold is not properly assessed or is not assessed at all
during PHASE I ESAs. Our professionals have performed mold
assessments for over 15 years (either at WESTECH or with
other firms), well before it has become the "hot topic".
Our approach gives the lending institutions and insurance
companies the scientific-based information required to ensure
that mold issues have been properly addressed prior to securing
a loan or insuring the property.
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