Over the years, as a greater understanding of the environment and its effects on human health has grown, the holistic concept of a green building with a natural environment evolved. As a result, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards set by the U.S. Green Council (USGBC) launched and set out to address various environmental concerns for building projects.
What Does LEED Mean?
LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. The rating system measures the building or development project’s sustainability by considering water conservation, energy efficiency and use of sustainable materials and more. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol showing sustainability achievement and leadership.
LEED provides a framework for virtually all building types, including new construction, existing buildings, operations, and maintenance, building and interior design, neighborhood developments and others for healthy, efficient, and cost-saving buildings.
LEED Certification
Whether doing new construction or a substantial renovation, building owners and project personnel must know the value of LEED certification and the opportunity to develop sustainability, resilience, and healthy environments.
Selecting the proper LEED rating for a particular building type helps identify the vision of the project’s scope and goals by choosing to go green. As a result, the LEED framework certification empowers owners and personnel to benchmark and celebrate their sustainability goals and achievements.
Phase Associates LEED IAQ Consultants
At Phase Associates, our LEED indoor air quality (IAQ) consultants benefit businesses and organizations seeking LEED certification. Phase Associates can help a project achieve accreditation by performing IAQ testing and achieving two points towards accreditation. The scope of our work depends on the business and organization’s needs and requirements.
Here we touch on a few advantages of working with Phase Associates LEED IAQ consultants.
Experience
Our LEED certification consultants team is trained in the LEED standards and rating systems required for business types enabling them to achieve certification.
Improved Workplace Efficiency
Improved indoor air quality and a clean working environment decrease workplace illness and therefore increase employee retention rate with fewer days absent.
Improved Reputation
Businesses committed to sustainability can improve their reputation with customers, employees, and investors.
Did you know that 88% of customers are more loyal to companies that support environmental issues?
Regulatory Compliance
When businesses comply with sustainability regulations and standards, they become less likely to develop costly fines and legal issues.
Cost Savings
When working with our LEED certification consultant experts, we help you identify cost-saving opportunities through more efficient use of resources and waste reduction.
For example, to improve efficiency in the workplace. It can start with something as simple as making an entire office paperless. This can save resources, save on printing costs, and improve internal processes.
Increased Property Value
Owning and operating a LEED-certified building can command a higher property value as they are perceived as sustainable with higher quality.
Industries That Benefit from Phase Associates LEED Certification Consultants
Construction
LEED certification consultants help reduce construction projects’ environmental impact and meet regulatory requirements.
Real Estate
It helps increase the property’s value and attract environmentally conscious tenants and buyers.
Retail and Healthcare Facilities
Reduces energy and water usage while implementing recycling programs and sustainable sourcing products.
Educational Institutions
Reduce the institution’s environmental impact and improve the quality of the learning environment.
And the list goes on . . .
Choose Phase Associates as Your LEED Certification Consultants
Whether you are a construction company building a new or updating an existing building, a real estate developer, a government agency, or another, LEED certification has a significant number of excellent benefits.
So why choose Phase Associates? Our LEED certification consultants have the necessary training, experience, and professionalism to help you achieve your sustainability goals.
Contact us here to learn more about us and our LEED certification, the rating system, and which project is right for you.
Our LEED certification consultants IAQ team of professionals focus on the areas of MD, DE, NJ, NY, PA, CT and MA (Boston area)
OSHA HAZWOPER Training Courses in Boston, MA; Providence, RI; Portsmouth, NH; and Albany, NY.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developed the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER) program to protect personnel working at hazardous and Superfund abandoned sites. These sites contain polluted and contaminated materials. Following the OSHA regulations ensures the health and safety of personnel.
Employers must provide HAZWOPER training courses to those working with hazardous materials. HAZWOPER training teaches cleanup and emergency response personnel to operate safely, while dealing with dangerous material scenarios. In addition, this training covers practices, policies, and procedures that reduce worksite illness and injury risk related to harmful exposures.
Here we explore the HAZWOPER training courses set forth by OSHA. We begin with the 8-Hour HAZWOPER initial training followed by the 24-hour course, 40-hour course and 8-hour refresher course.
8-Hour HAZWOPER Initial Training Course
The 8-hour initial training course is a one-time requirement. The primary objectives are to meet the Federal OSHA HAZWOPER training requirements of 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(4) for General Industry and 29 CFR 1926.65(e)(4) for Construction. In addition, this course intends to meet any HAZWOPER training requirements for EPA and State OSHA regulations.
The course is designed for those exposed to dangerous materials but not directly involved with the cleanup, for example, supervisors. Personnel are taught how to recognize hazardous materials, protect themselves from exposure and what to do in emergencies.
24-Hour Course
This course, regarded as a hazard-recognition course, covers broad potential worksite issues. It’s required for those visiting an uncontrolled hazardous waste operation and is considered an “occasional site worker.” They are not involved with dangerous materials daily, therefore, generally not at high risk. In addition, they are not engaged in cleanup operations.
The 24-hour course includes detecting various types of materials, site safety plans, confined spaces, decontamination, hazard communication, fall protection, toxicology, and regulations.
40-Hour Course
The 40-hour course is for personnel regularly involved in hazardous waste cleanup operations, disposal, storage, emergency response operations and treatment of dangerous substances.
This course covers the same topics as the 24-hour course but is more in-depth. In addition, it covers chemical protective clothing, respirator protection and air monitoring.
8-Hour HAZWOPER Annual Refresher Course
This course meets the requirements outlined in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120. It covers refresher training for general site workers at hazardous waste sites who complete tasks involving removing dangerous waste, exposure or potential exposure to hazardous substances, and exposure to health hazards.
How Long Are the 24-Hour and 40-Hour HAZWOPER Courses Good For?
Once personnel have completed the 24-hour or 40-hour HAZWOPER training course, they must take the 8-Hour HAZWOPER refresher course annually. The refresher course keeps personnel OSHA compliant with any HAZWOPER changes.
Sign Up for Your Providence, RI; Portsmouth, NH; Albany, NY, and Boston, MA, OSHA HAZWOPER Training
The HAZWOPER training courses are essential for protecting personnel exposed to on-site hazardous materials. The training levels required depend on the worker’s involvement with dangerous waste. These live classes offer hands-on training with sampling equipment, personal protective equipment, respirators, and practical demonstrations unavailable in online classes. Live courses can also be tailored to the employer’s worksite and specific hazards.
To learn more and decide which HAZWOPER training you need for your employees, contact Phase Associates.
We offer 8-Hour, 24-Hour, 40-Hour and 8-Hour Refresher HAZWOPER courses to Boston, MA; Providence, RI; Portsmouth, NH; and Albany, NY.
.Are you aware of the importance of Legionella water testing services?
As a daily routine, we head over to our kitchen faucet to turn on the tap water to drink, cook and wash dishes. In addition, we use the tap water in our bathroom sink to brush our teeth morning and night and to take showers.
Our tap water is generally filtered and disinfected, enforced by the town, city, or state to meet the safety standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). So, tap water tastes good and is safe to drink, right? No, not always, as water temperatures and plumbing pipes do play a significant role.
How do you know whether your water is safe to drink? Some signs showing it is unhealthy include cloudy and murky water, sediment or particles in the sink, foul odor, and green algae.
In addition, to knowing all of this, are you aware that our tap water has many good bacteria that are harmless and healthy for us?
Unfortunately, along with the good, there can be harmful bacteria lurking that you may not be aware of, including Legionella.
What is Legionella?
Legionella is found naturally in freshwater rivers, lakes and streams which is not a problem in the wild. However, it becomes a huge concern when Legionella bacteria grows and spreads to manufactured plumbing water systems such as water faucets, showerheads, hot tubs, water heaters and cooling towers.
Legionella bacteria can find their way into processed public water systems when a water disinfection system fails, the water stops flowing, the disinfection levels are inaccurate, or the plumbing becomes stagnant where the plumbing has a “dead leg.” Legionella bacteria can grow in water temperatures between 68-113°Fahrenheit (°F). Hence, dead legs containing stagnant water can amplify the legionella bacteria. When legionella bacteria grow in dead legs of a water pipe, they can propagate into the building’s water system.
There is an increased risk of Legionella exposure as it multiplies while thriving where water temperatures are between 68 and 113°F. It only takes a breath of tiny water droplets for a person to be exposed and contract Legionnaires disease. This disease is a severe form of pneumonia where the lungs become inflamed. Unfortunately, Legionnaires disease does not resolve independently and, if left untreated, can be fatal.
Legionella Water Testing
There are a few ways to test for Legionella. Each method of detection and sampling has different degrees of effectiveness. The primary Legionella water testing and detection methods are the Culture Method, the PCR Method, and the DFA Method.
Culture Method
The Culture Method involves the bacterial filtrate from the water source confined on an agar petri dish to identify the species and serogroups using biochemicals. The results will be either qualitatively reported as ‘Detected with Legionella’ or ‘Not Detected’ or quantitatively reported as concentrations of the various species and serogroups. The drawback of the culture method is that it takes ten days to complete, a time when more occupants could become exposed to the Legionella bacteria.
PCR Method
The PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Method is excellent for screening drinking water samples and only takes a couple of hours to complete. However, this method is not best when sampling water in our environment exposed to dirt and debris, as these conditions can inhibit the laboratory’s method to detect the presence of Legionella.
DFA Method
The third Legionella water testing method is the DFA (direct fluorescent antibody) method, created by the CDC in 1978, which is considered the best for testing Legionella in drinking and environmental water samples.
Legionella Prevention
Several steps and methods can be implemented to minimize and prevent Legionella bacteria from entering your water supply.
Develop a water management program.
Ensure the water heater works optimally and the temperature is set correctly to prevent Legionella from surviving and multiplying.
Remove piping “dead legs” and maintain water movement throughout the plumbing system.
Regularly clean and maintain cooling towers.
Incorporate routine environmental testing for Legionella to catch any signs before it spreads.
Legionella Water Testing Services
PHASE Associates, LLC provides reliable, efficient, and accurate Legionella water testing services to New Jersey, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
For Legionella water testing, we utilize sampling techniques with comprehensive laboratory testing to analyze water environments for Legionella pneumophilia, non-pneumophilia and Legionella species in the system. We have extensive experience performing environmental risk assessments, sampling, and testing for Legionella in facilities of all types and sizes.
Hazard communication and chemical safety are two critical concepts that are closely related to each other. Hazard communication refers to communicating information about the hazards associated with chemicals. In contrast, chemical safety involves implementing measures to prevent or minimize the risks associated with chemical exposure.
We explore the importance of hazard communication and chemical safety in the workplace, the legal framework governing these concepts, and best practices for implementing hazard communication and chemical safety programs.
Why is Hazard Communication Important?
Hazard communication is essential because it helps workers understand the risks associated with the chemicals they work with and the precautions they should take to minimize them.
When workers have this information, they can take steps to protect themselves and their coworkers from harm. For example, workers may wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling hazardous chemicals or may take additional safety precautions when working with dangerous chemicals.
Moreover, hazard communication is essential for employers’ compliance with regulatory requirements. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to implement a hazard communication program that includes labeling, safety data sheets, and employee training. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in penalties and fines.
What is Chemical Safety?
Chemical safety refers to implementing measures to prevent or minimize the risks associated with chemical exposure. These measures may include engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE.
Engineering controls involve designing the workplace or the process to eliminate or reduce chemical risks.
Administrative rules include implementing policies and procedures to reduce exposure to chemicals, such as limiting the duration of exposure or rotating workers to minimize exposure.
PPE involves using gloves, respirators, or protective clothing to protect workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Legal Framework for Hazard Communication and Chemical Safety
In the United States, OSHA regulates workplace hazard communication and chemical safety. OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires employers to implement a hazard communication program that includes the following components:
Labels
Employers must ensure that all containers of hazardous chemicals are labeled with the product name, hazard warning, and the manufacturer’s or supplier’s name and address.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Employers must maintain a current SDS for each hazardous chemical used in the workplace. SDSs provide detailed information about the chemical, including its hazards, first aid measures, and safe handling instructions.
Employee Training
Employers must train employees on the hazards associated with the chemicals they work with, how to read labels and SDSs, and the precautions they should take to protect themselves from exposure.
Best Practices for Implementing Hazard Communication and Chemical Safety Programs
To effectively implement hazard communication and chemical safety programs, employers should follow best practices, including the following:
Conduct Hazard Assessments
Employers should assess the hazards associated with the chemicals used in the workplace and implement measures to minimize those risks.
Develop Written Policies and Procedures
Employers must develop written policies and procedures for hazard communication and chemical safety specific to their workplace.
Provide Training
Employers must train employees on the hazards associated with the chemicals they work with, how to read labels and SDSs, and the precautions they should take to protect themselves from exposure.
Use Appropriate PPE
Employers must provide appropriate PPE to employees with hazardous chemicals and ensure they use it correctly.
Regularly Review and Update Programs
Employers must regularly review and update their hazard communication and chemical safety programs to ensure that they remain effective and up-to-date.
Implement Hazard Communication and Chemical Safety Programs
Hazard communication and chemical safety are essential concepts that are critical for protecting workers from the risks associated with exposure to hazardous chemicals. At Phase Associates, we assist you in implementing hazard communication and chemical safety programs that comply with OSHA’s HCS and follow best practices.
Our hazard communication and chemical safety programs are offered to NJ, PA, CT, NY, DE, GA, MD and VA.
Did you know that at least 20 states use their state plans approved by OSHA but that there are still high numbers of businesses that don’t have emergency plans or aren’t equipped to handle specific emergencies? Even half of the businesses that participated in the 2022 EHS Today survey admitted to not having an active sustainability program.
Business managers often wonder, “What is a facility audit checklist?” Unless you’re an EHS professional or a facility manager, chances are, you might not have had to use one in a real-world situation.
Auditing applies to all industries and businesses, regardless of their size. Keep reading to find out exactly what this checklist is, the difference it makes, and why it’s needed.
What is a Facility Audit Checklist?
So, what is a facility audit checklist? A facility audit checklist is essentially an improvement tool used to develop a baseline of the assets a company has. This isn’t limited to just physical and digital assets.
It also includes programs used to maintain those assets. This also includes their value, and all operations plans a company uses. A facility audit helps businesses identify what they have while addressing what they don’t.
It’s also a way to assess the compliance of a facility. This works by taking into account the standards specific to their industry.
This is essential considering some things facilities are required to have. This often depends on the type of building it is or the work that’s done on-site. A good example is medical facilities which are required by law to maintain up-to-date equipment surveys.
These requirements will often fall under the Department of Health Care Access and Information. Or formerly known as the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development or the Department of Health and Human Services.
The governing entity will depend on the type of company it is. FAs an example, this is the same for government buildings in this industry. They will often fall under the Department of Defense or specifically the Defense Health Agency.
Every type of facility will require an audit checklist. Not establishing that baseline of what you have could jeopardize a facility’s ability to respond in the case of an emergency or a general time of need.
Depending on the regulations of their specific industry, noncompliance with having and maintaining the quality and safety of certain equipment could result in fines, loss of reputation, imprisonment, or more than one of those repercussions.
Prevention Solutions Means Better Facility Management
An audit checklist can identify health and safety risks. It also helps to pinpoint potential hazards as well as areas in need of improvement. A well-designed checklist can help ensure that all aspects of a facility are audited consistently and thoroughly.
The issue is, there are less than 3% of companies have a crisis management professional or department on their payroll. This is often because many businesses have the mindset of a fix-it methodology. Instead, they should have a stronger focus on prevention.
The real problem is that many don’t until something happens. Companies are finding it more feasible to work with professional environmental health and safety consultants in this case.
Doing this allows them to bypass training phases and the worry of limited expertise. Overall, working with experienced and knowledgeable EHS consultants allows business and facility managers to be more hands-off. It also instills confidence in the prevention and implementation tactics their company will gain.
The Five Sections That Makeup an Audit Checklist
Every audit checklist consists of five specific sections. These sections help ensure optimal safety for the facility and all workers. They are;
Evidence collection
Audit testing
Analysis
Scope
Conclusion of all findings
For some facilities, this layout may vary. It will depend on the scope of the company’s work and the regulations specific to the company or industry.
Each section will allow for the development of a comprehensive report. That report will make it simpler to identify the procedures and policies a facility operates within and where they may need additional help.
Aside From the Requirement, There Are Additional Benefits Involved
The benefits of having a checklist to influence proper facility maintenance span beyond just compliance. Prevention tactics help to determine historical violations or operational problems concerning air emissions by using a facility audit checklist. By using this type of tool, organizations can:
Save time and money by identifying potential problems before they become costly incidents
Improve safety by identifying hazards and taking steps to mitigate them
Ensure compliance with regulations and standards
Avoid penalties or other negative consequences
Enhance the reputation of the organization
Demonstrate a commitment to safety and compliance
What Does It Cover?
This type of assessment goes by elements. This includes more than just equipment and the operations put in place to use them. Workplace safety checklists take into account all buildings to be covered and the entire grounds of those buildings.
The inventory that falls within those areas is the main point of focus. However, everything is included in any final report for a routine audit. Overall, one area where facilities may need the most help is the implementation and sustainability phases.
Once the facility audit checklist has been completed, it’s crucial to set up an internal review process. This ensures that all findings are addressed and done effectively.
This also helps to identify better waste management practices and hazardous disposal practices. It will also reveal any concerns about wastewater discharges. The internal review process should be documented and communicated to all relevant personnel.
This helps to prepare for assessing the results of all solutions that were put in place. Using an EHS consultant would make this process significantly simpler.
Preparing Before Preparation Is Needed
Site managers often want to know, “what is a facility audit checklist?” This tool helps to ensure safety and guarantee improvement with regulation compliance. An effective facility checklist leaves little room for error.
This may seem complex and out of reach to do correctly, but with the right help, it’s simple. PHASE Associates specializes in curating practical EHS solutions for businesses…without the hassle. With comprehensive auditing processes, businesses can form clearer solutions to operational success.
Get in touch with our team at Phase Associates today to better protect yours. We service New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland and Virginia.
