The Benefits of Using a Qualified Asbestos Surveyor
Did you know that there are over 3,000 products that contain asbestos? And those are just the products we know about! The trouble is that this material, widely used in construction materials for all types of infrastructures, including homes, commercial, industrial, warehouses and more, is harmful to human health.
Before we discuss the benefits of using a qualified asbestos surveyor, let us explain what asbestos is, where it can be found and the dangerous effects it has on human health
What is Asbestos?
There are two groups of asbestos “fiber” based on its chemical and physical properties: amphibole and serpentine. Amphibole fibers are stiff and straight, which limits their commercial use. Serpentine fibers are curved, flexible and extended and are the main types used in manufacturing.
Where Asbestos Can Be Found
Before 1990 asbestos was primarily used for insulating homes and buildings against noise, cold weather and fireproofing. Because it is resistant to fire, heat, chemical and biological breakdown, asbestos was used in products such as:
Building materials: ceiling and floor tiles, house siding, roofing shingles and sealants, and cement and plaster products
Industrial heating systems such as furnaces
Electrical, heat and sound wrappings and insulation
Packing materials, coatings, gaskets and linings
Thermostat reinforcement
Textiles and fabrics
Human Health Effects of Asbestos
When asbestos is dry, it can crumble, pulverize and powder. In addition, its tiny fibers can release into the air as dust. Therefore, inhaling asbestos is a significant health concern.
The human health effects of long-term asbestos exposure include asbestosis and changes in the lining of the lungs (pleural abnormalities). In addition, all forms of asbestos have shown to cause lung cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can occur in both the linings of the lungs and abdomen.
For these reasons, it is crucial to hire an expert asbestos surveyor to test and assess the entire space thoroughly.
So, let us now take a look at some of the benefits of hiring a qualified asbestos surveyor.
An Asbestos Surveyor Helps You Identify Asbestos
It is hard to know if a material contains asbestos by merely looking at it unless it has a label stating it contains asbestos.
An inspection and assessment carried out by a trained and accredited asbestos surveyor will be able to identify any asbestos-containing materials. And depending on the results, they will be able to offer you a safe and effective asbestos removal solution.
Asbestos Surveyors Provide Written Documentation
A well-qualified asbestos surveyor will provide you with a written assessment. The assessment will describe the exact location and extent of the asbestos. In addition, it will also offer the best recommendations for elimination.
This document is essential, so the asbestos removal team knows where to focus their efforts and what steps to take.
They Help You with Follow-Up Procedures
A professional asbestos surveyor will keep in contact and follow up with the asbestos removal professionals to ensure the project is completed safely, correctly and efficiently. In addition, they can recommend frequent post-remediation checks to ensure the area remains safe.
Get Started with an Asbestos Surveyor Today
Working with an asbestos surveyor can be the difference between a healthy environment and a dangerous one.
Do not wait! Contact an asbestos surveyor to keep your residential, commercial, industrial and other spaces safe and healthy for those who live in or visit.
Let’s help you to get started with a thorough asbestos inspection. Get in touch with Phase Associates to learn more about us, our asbestos survey services, and book an inspection today.
The Phase Associates asbestos surveyors service the states of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware.
NYS Mold Testing: Why It’s Important to Hire a Licensed Mold Assessor
Mold is a type of fungi that is commonly found in indoor spaces. Because mold has the potential to cause serious health problems, health experts stress the importance of eliminating it entirely.
If you own a home or commercial property in New York, mold testing services are vital in determining if there is mold. In addition, residences and businesses must always be safe places to live and work.
Having your space tested for mold with a licensed mold assessor has many benefits if it is found and remediated. First, the indoor air quality will get better, which will result in eliminating health issues. In addition, it will stop moisture problems, and the mold will no longer be.
Keep reading to see why New York State mold testing from a reputable and qualified expert is best for you!
NYS Mold Testing and Your Health
Mold is the cause of many health problems, such as sore throat, skin rash, coughing, and burning eyes. When mold lurks in your home or business, the harmful indoor air quality can cause various health issues. As a homeowner, property manager, real estate agent, or any other type of property owner, it is critical to eliminate mold from the property.
A licensed mold assessor can provide efficient mold testing services that are highly effective in finding the mold for commercial and residential properties. In addition, the mold assessor will outline the proper mold remediation plan if mold is found. Once mold remediation is completed, you can have peace of mind as a homeowner, a property manager, a real estate agent, and others. In addition, mold remediation will eliminate coughing, itchy red eyes, and the asthma symptoms that mold triggers.
In conclusion, mold testing by a licensed mold assessor ensures the health of the family, pets, guests, employees, owners of businesses and more. Without the sickness that goes hand in hand with mold, everyone will be more productive and healthier.
Floods, leaky faucets, and cracks in your foundation can cause water problems, creating moisture. When moisture is present, mold that reproduces tiny spores finds these surfaces a suitable place to land, grow, and multiply. Mold thrives in wet, damp and humid conditions. Conversely, if there is no moisture, there will be no mold.
Mold can be hiding whereas not visible to the human eye. Ceiling tiles and drywall are a few places. By hiring a NY licensed mold assessor, you can rest assured they have the tools and experience to locate all mold. One example of its importance is if you are a real estate agent. You may not be aware of mold hiding in a new home you are about to sell. Not so good for the new owners to find and leave that bad review you do want.
Keep Mold From Spreading
As we mentioned above, when there is moisture, mold can spread quickly, resulting in significant damage to ceiling tiles, drywall, and even furniture in many cases. In addition, when water is present, they can grow just about anywhere.
When mold spreads to other surfaces, it can cause significant damage. In many cases, you’ll have to remove carpets, drywall, ceiling tiles, or even furniture. However, mold can also decay floorboards and wooden studs in the wall beyond this. Damages can be severe enough to cause collapsed ceilings and walls.
Of course, the more damage, the more costly it will be to fix. However, a NY licensed mold assessor’s residential and commercial property mold testing can save you from stress and a ton of money over the long run.
Benefits of NYS Mold Testing
Mold going unnoticed is a severe issue in many ways, as we have discussed.
Hiring a NYS mold testing company to come into a residence or business has extreme benefits to the health of all persons who share the space. In addition, mold testing finds water damage and moisture buildup, which can result in severe structural damage if not found.
Protect your family, friends, pets, employees, customers and others who visit. Protect your investment and your reputation!
Contact Phase Associates, a NYS licensed mold assessor, to learn more about our mold testing services. We help residential, commercial businesses, property management companies, real estate agents and development companies and more.
It resulted in the industry adding more than 100,000 jobs. As a result, close to 500,000 Americans are now working in this unique sector.
Are you one of the few cannabis cultivation facilities in New Jersey? If so, OSHA compliance should be a top priority. You must follow the guidelines to limit your employees’ exposure to cannabis emissions.
One way to ensure this is through air exposure monitoring. Read on to learn more about what this entails.
What Are Cannabis Emissions?
Studies estimate that every kilogram of cannabis produced emits over 2,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide during cultivation. High concentrations, when inhaled, can cause asphyxiation. This can also lead to burns for those working closely with the plants.
Unfortunately, carbon dioxide is not the only toxic substance of concern in cannabis cultivation. Others include:
Carbon monoxide
Butane
Pesticides
Dangerous organic compounds
Corrosive materials and some nutrients
Cleaning products used during the cultivation process can also be harmful. These can contain chemicals that irritate the skin and eyes. They may also cause respiratory issues.
All these can have severe effects on workers who handle or inhale them. As an employer, you can safeguard against this with regular safety audits. This should include air exposure monitoring. This can also ensure you follow the guidelines from OSHA for the cannabis industry.
Air Exposure Monitoring for Cannabis Cultivation Facilities
Air exposure monitoring involves taking air samples within your facility. The samples are assessed to determine levels of exposure to harmful substances.
Air quality management is essential at cannabis cultivation facilities. It can help to reduce employee injuries and illnesses. It will also ensure you comply with cannabis OSHA regulations.
Regular safety audits using a company with certified specialists is the best way to do this. Phase Associates can help keep your facility safe for employees.
We provide indoor quality testing to ensure you’re OSHA compliant. This involves thorough inspections, testing and assessments, and monitoring with the latest technology. In addition, we’ll provide you with recommendations allowing you to take corrective action if needed.
The Importance of OSHA Compliance in the Cannabis Industry
The cannabis industry is fairly new when compared to other industries. But this has not affected the levels of oversight to ensure marijuana workplace compliance. There’s increased scrutiny as more states legalize its growth.
Failure to comply can result in millions of dollars in fines. It may also result in disruptions in sales. Both can be easily avoided by providing a safe work environment.
Winning at Business and Employee Safety
There are a lot of safety requirements for cannabis cultivators and processors. So it’s no surprise with the emergence of more cannabis cultivation facilities across the state. OSHA compliance can help to ensure your business continues to be successful.
You can protect your employees from cannabis emissions with regular air exposure monitoring. Use a company with experience in this area to help you adhere to OSHA safety standards.
Phase Associates can. We’ve been providing health and safety services for over 25 years. We do this for the cannabis industry as well. Contact Phase Associates today to learn more!
Osha Approved Confined Space Training: Phase Associates
If your place of work requires employees to work in confined spaces, you have to be sure you are following OSHA’s training requirements. OSHA defines a confined space as an area that has limited ways to enter or exit the space, and is not meant to be stayed in for extended periods of time.
Especially in the construction business, employees have to work in confined spaces on a regular basis and need to receive proper training on how to do their job in a restrictive space.
We’re here to answer all your questions on confined spaces, and getting OSHA-approved confined space training. Let’s jump in!
What Is the OSHA Standard for Confined Space?
Types of confined spaces can vary, but all of them can be dangerous. Without having safe entry and exit points, confined spaces mean that getting help in the event of an emergency is difficult.
OSHA defines these kinds of spaces as permit-required confined spaces, which have one or more of some specific characteristics:
Contain a hazardous atmosphere
Contain a hazardous material
Have inward sloping walls
Have downward sloping floors
Regardless of what the confined space is like, it is a space that could potentially trap someone in a dangerous situation.
In order to ensure the safety of those working in such areas, OSHA requires confined space training to reduce hazardous risks in these situations.
What Happens During Confined Space Training?
To protect the safety of those working in confined spaces, OSHA requires training programs to prepare workers for the challenges of working in these situations. They also help teach them skills to keep them safe.
During a confined space training session, you’ll learn how injuries can occur in these types of spaces. And, you’ll learn what steps to take to avoid injury from occurring.
Finally, you’ll learn how to handle emergencies if they do end up happening.
Confined space training typically includes hands-on demonstrations to give trainees the opportunity to practice working in a safe manner without the danger of being in a hazardous situation.
How Often Does OSHA Require Confined Space Training?
OSHA does not have requirements for retraining on working in confined spaces, which means that technically you only need to receive the training once in order to work in confined spaces.
However, experts agree that training should occur once every year or two to ensure that safe practices are being met, and to be aware of any new restrictions.
Any time there is a change in the operations of your business regarding confined spaces, or a change in the duties assigned to those working in them, it’s a good idea to give your employees a refresher in the training to make sure safe practices are being met.
Get Started With OSHA Approved Confined Space Training
If your business requires employees to work in confined and hazardous spaces, safety is the number one goal.
Phase Associates offers training courses for maintaining safety in the workplace in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware, and are a great option for business owners and managers.
If you are looking for an OSHA-approved confined space training program, contact Phase Associates to learn more about our services and know what your options are.
If you’re a business owner or the manager of a group of employees, their safety should be a top concern. It’s your job to ensure their safety while conducting themselves and that they’re fully informed and updated on any safety procedures pertaining to your business. Part of ensuring this is completing regular workplace safety training courses and having the relevant workplace safety training materials on hand.
There are many different types of safety training programs, so which ones are right for your business, and what should they include? This guide will inform you. Read on to learn about everything that is crucial to know.
Workplace Safety Training Courses: The Basics
When you’re conducting a workplace safety training course, there are a few basics that you’ll always want to include.
Equipment safety training is vital. Think about the equipment your employees use in the course of their jobs. What is it, and are they adequately trained to use it?
This is something you’ll want to go over every time your hire new employees. Or any time you upgrade your equipment.
Next, their roles. What is each employee doing? Are they doing it safely?
There should be a protocol laid out for each job. Furthermore, your employees should have a clear idea of what this is.
Finally, basic emergency and first aid training. Do your employees know what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency?
Do you have a first aid kit, and do your employees know where it’s located? First aid training is critical knowledge for everyone in a workplace to have.
Specialized Safety Training Programs
Aside from basic workplace safety training programs, there are also more specialized safety courses for specific industries. Depending on the type of business, one of these may be appropriate for you.
For example, some courses cover compressed gas safety, confined space entry, and electrical safety. In addition, many regulatory bodies require employees working in certain conditions to go through these types of courses. So not only will it make your workplace safer, but also more compliant.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, for example, stipulates that employees working in industries such as construction, maritime, and agriculture uphold specific standards and follow certain rules. Failure to do so can result in your business being inspected or audited or even legal action brought against you.
Of course, this is something that you do not want. To avoid such undesirable situations, make sure your employees are fully trained and that the safety training for staff is comprehensive and compliant.
Below we list a few of the workplace safety training courses offered by Phase Associates.
Take steps toward improving workplace safety and avoiding accidents today by implementing workplace safety training courses. If you need safety training for your business, at Phase Associates, we’ve got the expertise and experience to help. Get in touch to discuss in detail the courses we offer now.
Our workplace safety courses are offered to NJ, NY, PA, CT and DE business owners, property, warehouse managers and more.
If you are interested in HAZMAT training and would like to learn more about The Phase Associates HAZMAT training courses, click to view our “Guide To HAZMAT Training Courses.”
