Services: Environmental

Our experts can implement health and safety programs to assist organizations in achieving long-term solutions for workplace safety and compliance. We have developed new programs and updated existing written programs for various areas listed in the OSHA standards. These assessments are the foundation of our health and safety management consulting. These principles are applicable to site specific health and safety plans (HASP) and environmental compliance programs.

We provide expert witness and expert testimony services by our professional engineers, certified safety professionals (CSP) and certified industrial hygienists (CIH) to review and evaluate occupational accidents as related to federal, state and local regulations in occupational, industrial and equipment safety. We provide review of workplace accidents in the manufacturing, industrial, commercial and agricultural settings with specific reference to the regulatory standards in place for those industries. We also compare the specific project information with the appropriate testing and verification guidance documents available from ASTM, ANSI, NFPA, UL and SEI standards and references.

In addition, our consultant professionals provide on-site construction safety management including on site inspections and oversight of construction activities. Our team provides workplace accident investigation services and our site safety managers have directed health and safety programs for large contractors at various industries.

We also provide specific on-site training programs in:

• Confined Space Entry & Rescue
• Lockout/Tag-out
• Hazard Communication
• Asbestos Awareness and Management Planning
• Lead Hazard Control Plans and Awareness Training
• PCBs in Construction and Awareness Training
• Emergency Action Plan and Emergency Management Plans
• Evacuation Safety
• Accident Prevention
• Respiratory Protection Programs
• Industrial Fire Brigade
• 40-, 32- and 8-hour HAZWOPER
• Fall Protection
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Noise/Hearing Conservation

Many development activities that are commonplace and do not impact wetlands negatively have been issued Nationwide Permits (NWPs) by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

Typically, there are special conditions attached to each of the NWPs that place limitations on the applicability of what projects may be included under each permit as well as mitigation requirements. In addition, other permits that may be required, such as 401 Water Quality Certification or Short-Term Water Quality Modifications, may also be specified as part of the NWP. State, county or municipal agencies may have requirements that are more restrictive and further limit project impacts, even though an NWP may exist for a specific activity. Projects that do not qualify under the NWP program are typically subject to an individual Section 404 permit, which typically requires a significantly more involved permitting process and mitigation effort.

EFI Global’s services are provided for large and small sites that have land disturbing activities and we recommend wetland delineation be performed at the beginning stages of project planning with direct coordination with local, state and federal regulatory programs.

To address the needs of the land development community, our experts perform environmental feasibility studies and environmental permitting. These services help our clients make informed decisions in property purchases, real estate development and planned construction activities as they relate to nearby wetlands and listed species. We can also provide experts review of permitting information and interpretive guidance or regulatory interaction necessary.

Our personnel have extensive experience in performing wetland delineations, assisting clients with Section 404 permitting and development of mitigation plans. Our professionals also conduct various wildlife studies involving amphibians, reptiles, fish and small mammals to determine the impact of proposed projects.

We have completed work in a variety of facilities including commercial, industrial, medical, educational, multi-family, hotels, retail and government. Our experience includes performing limited, as well as comprehensive, surveys for renovation or demolition, preparation of abatement plans and specifications, bidding, contract negotiation, demolition/disposal/construction monitoring and final clearance sampling.

Our asbestos experts are accredited building inspectors and management planners under the EPA Asbestos Hazardous Emergency Response Act (AHERA) and are state licensed. To ensure the quality of our survey work and reports, we also have a time-proven quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program where work plans and deliverables are reviewed by a senior professional prior to submittal.

Our asbestos and lead consulting services are provided as part of our hazardous materials consulting services that also include other building materials that may contain polychlorinated bi-phenyls (PCBs) in caulking and other coatings, heavy metals and other contaminants in a building setting. We perform comprehensive hazardous materials inventory assessments, including asbestos, lead paint and other hazardous materials to guide our clients on their proper handling and disposal. Our team also consults with architects, engineers, owners and managers to provide asbestos abatement, lead abatement and hazardous materials remediation design specifications for construction projects.

As part of the abatement process, we perform oversight, air monitoring of adjacent (and sometimes occupied) building spaces and on-site microscopy of air samples for immediate turnaround of air clearance samples.

We provide QA/QC of the abatement process to ensure safety during and after the abatement and remediation process.

Our staff includes PhD-level human health risk assessors, certified environmental infection control (CEICS) consultants, toxicologists, professional engineers in HVAC and mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) systems, certified microbial investigators and consultants (CMI, CMC), certified industrial hygienists (CIH) and IAQ scientists.

IAQ assessments are generally performed to evaluate occupant complaints or as part of a pro-active program. We also have the capability to test for a variety of indoor air contaminants, e.g. carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, mold, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, particulate matter, etc. In addition to our evaluation and testing services, we have the capability and experience to develop, design and oversee IAQ remediation projects.

Our laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and provide analysis for microbial content (fungal and bacterial, viable and non-viable) in air and bulk samples, dust component characterization, bulk and tape lift analysis.

One result of our testing is to provide expert testimony services representing our comprehensive forensic analysis of a building system failure in Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP), HVAC or the building envelope. We consult directly with the facility managers, building engineers and property owners to identify building system and operation issues that warrant corrective action. As part of the site inspection, and based upon information received relating to the building systems, sampling includes:

• Laser Particle Counter to Measure Filter Efficacy
• Airborne Fungal, Bacteria, Cultivated to Evaluate Species
• Hot Water Systems and Cooling Towers for Legionella, PCR and/or Culture
• Carpet and Wall Cavity Microbial Sampling
• Surface Wipes, MEA Plates with Anderson Impactor and Total Fungal Levels
• Thermal Imaging Cameras and Moisture Mapping of Water Impacted Areas
• Real-time Analysis of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) for Vapor or Fume Entrainment
• Effective IAQ control is accomplished through our inspection and testing process that includes the following:
• Gaining Historical Knowledge, Locations in the Facility of Occupant Complaints and Health Effects
• Review of HVAC Equipment and Systems, Filters, Installation and Use of Exhaust Systems (equipment, sewer, water systems, etc.)
• Review of Water Intrusion, Moisture Control, Water Damage, Porous Building Materials and Potential Microbial Growth Concerns
• Establishing a Management Plan to Control Water Intrusion, Moisture and Reduce Bio-aerosol and Microbial Growth

Our experts also provide Remediation Work Plans and Specifications to address means and methods to remove the microbial contamination and repair building systems. In addition, we perform post-remediation project monitor and clearance testing.

Our staff includes certified industrial hygienists (CIH), field industrial hygienists, certified safety professionals (CSP) and occupational health and safety professionals. Our staff regularly performs services for the identification, evaluation and control of chemical and physical hazards as well as in-plant evaluations of employee exposure to airborne dust and vapor contaminants, hazardous and explosive gases and vapors, non-ionizing radiation, noise and vibration. We evaluate the effectiveness of existing engineering and administrative controls, develop appropriate exposure control strategies and assist plant engineers and health and safety specialists in complying with applicable regulations.

In the case of a workplace injury, our industrial hygiene staff provides investigations as to the origin and cause of the accident, injury or exposure and examines the scene for potential hazards. Our staff provides expert witness testimony and conducts scientific research to support the data collected.

We perform these industrial hygiene services in manufacturing, industrial, construction and office environments to address:

• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) to Include Sick Building Syndrome, Ventilation, Temperature, Humidity, Carbon monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Volatile Organic Compounds, Microbial and Bio-aerosol Sampling and Analysis
• Evaluating and Controlling Environmental Asbestos and Lead Exposure to Building Occupants and Construction Workers
• Workplace Exposure Monitoring for Chemical, Biological & Physical Hazards
• OSHA Compliance Air Sampling and Monitoring
• Asbestos and Lead Management Planning and Worker Protection
• Emergency Response Planning and Emergency Management Planning
• Site Specific Health and Safety Plans (HASP) and Implementation
• Hazard Awareness Training, Hazard Communication and Worker Right-to-Know
• Potentially Hazardous Agents such as Asbestos, Silica, Dusts and Fumes
• Controlling Dermal Exposures and Contact Dermatitis When Handling Hazardous Materials and Contaminants
• Cumulative Trauma Disorders (Repetitive Stress Injuries, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
• Laboratory Commissioning and Decommissioning
• Radiation (Electromagnetic fields, Microwaves) 
• Slip, Trip and Fall cases
• Hazardous Waste Management and Control
• Noise Assessment and Control

As a result of our analysis and investigations, our staff prepares cost estimates for mitigation and reaching compliance as well as preparing management lans to implement changes necessary for compliance and hazard mitigation. Our management planning approach addresses the occupant or worker concerns and works with the administrative team to implement the recommended changes.

We work with the client to implement changes to comply with OSHA and state regulations relating to worker safety and hazard communication (HAZCOM). In construction settings, these services result in preparing site-specific health and safety plans (SSHSP) and performing on-going monitoring as necessary to measure and evaluate the hazard. When necessary, this monitoring assists our clients in determining proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for their workers. On-site services also include tailgate safety training, 2-hour and 8-hour hazard awareness training and other elements of HAZCOM.

Site assessments are utilized to assist in the characterization and prioritization of a Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST). Our team will conduct the initial investigation, develop a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) and provide oversight management of implementation and remediation activities. Many of the assessments have been performed as part of emergency response activities for diverse clientele including major oil, pipeline, insurance, automotive, trucking and banking companies as well as state regulatory agencies.

Our Petroleum Management and Associated Services include:

• Soil and Groundwater Sampling
• Fuel and Air Sampling
• Remedial System Design and System Installation
• Operation and Maintenance
• Long-term Groundwater Monitoring
• Compliance Audits
• Regulatory Guidance and Options
• Risk Assessments and Feasibility Studies
• Closure Negotiations · Hydro-geologic Testing
• Reimbursement Application
• Spill Control and Countermeasure Plan (SCCP) and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) Preparation and Implementation

We provide assessments to organize and implement vital management system programs that assist in maintaining compliance with environmental health & safety monitoring, record-keeping and training requirements.

We believe that environmental management systems (EMS) and/or health & safety management systems (HSMS) development can only meet with success through a team effort. While we can provide regulatory knowledge and evaluation experience, we appreciate that facility personnel are experts in their operations. Knowledge of the facilities’ processes is fundamental to accurately evaluate environmental compliance and to provide cost-effective and realistic recommendations. Facility evaluation, task identification, task management and ongoing system development are key components to a viable management system. An EMS includes permits, programs and plans required by the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), Toxic Substances and Control Act (TSCA), local and state regulations and client-specific requirements.

With our extensive industry and regulatory experience, we can perform the investigation, oversight and remediation for any given project. Our oversight capabilities include services associated with expense and loss allocation, environmental file review, environmental claims management and remediation cost control options.

Our experts routinely assist with potential recovery through subrogation support services. We can quickly review files and invoices while providing oversight and review of the activities slated towards the mitigation of the environmental risks. We will review the responders and spill contractor’s activities to ensure compliance with required procedures and best management practices. We will determine appropriate clean up options, measures and/or strategies to mitigate and resolve an incident in a timely and cost-efficient manner.

Our team provides remediation and oversight monitoring for transportation spills, catastrophes, property contamination and chemical toxic torts for the following types of pollution:

• Soil and Groundwater Contamination
• Asbestos
• Hydrocarbons from Underground Storage Tanks/Above-ground Storage Tanks
• Hazardous Waste and Non-Hazardous Waste
• Lead
• Chlorinated Solvents
• Heavy Metal Contamination

Our initial evaluations often include multiple options with cost estimates, which allow you to make an informed decision regarding the engineering design, remedial activity, operation and maintenance. From project inception to completion, we can assist with the facilitation of various insurance products to assist and mitigate potential risk.

Our team will work with the property owner and/or developer and the associated state, community or federal regulatory agency. A properly re-developed Brownfield site is a value and benefit to the community by creating new job opportunities, creating a new tax base, assisting in the elimination of health & safety hazards and blighted property eyesores while creating opportunities for new investments. A revitalized Brownfield site offers many opportunities beyond the original land-use.

We assist in the following Brownfield areas:

• Technical Assessment, Remediation & Oversight
• State and/or Federal Grants
• State Environmental Agencies
• Local Economic Development Agencies
• Local Government Agencies
• Federal Environmental Protection Agency
• Community Groups
• Coordinating with Legal Counsel
• Coordinating with Insurance Products for Cleanup Activities

We have the ability to conduct nationwide Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA), however, if additional investigation and remediation services are warranted, we can provide a seamless transition to Phase II or III. Our assessment investigative services include Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) closures, Brownfield sites, soil and groundwater investigations and monitoring, risk assessments & risk based clean up, remediation engineering design and construction, operation and management and asbestos and lead-based paint management. We have experience from engineering design to implementation of remedial action plans for a variety of pollutants that can impact property. Typical contaminants that can impact a site range from chlorinated solvents, metals, hydrocarbons to asbestos containing materials and lead-based paint.

Our services include:

• Phase I, II and III ESAs
• Risk Assessments
• Site Characterization & Delineation
• Remedial Design and Implementation
• Remedial Operation and Maintenance
• Risk-based Cleanups
• Asbestos and Lead-based Paint Surveys
• Regulatory Compliance Assessments & Audits
• Wetland Assessments and Delineation