Designated Substance Survey 101
A Designated Substance Survey (DSS) determines the presence of hazardous substances on your property. The purpose is to find out if there are substances that could pose a threat to workers’ and occupants’ health and safety during a demolition, construction or restoration project.
Exposure to high concentrations of substances such as asbestos, lead and PCBs for instance are linked to many serious illnesses. That is why Section 30 of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act stipulates that a DSS report is mandatory before any such work is carried out. Embarking on a demolition or construction project without a Toronto DSS report is prohibited and you could face serious legal consequences if you fail to comply.
Here is a list of designated substances for your quick reference:
- Asbestos
- Benzene
- Lead
- Acrylonitrile
- Mercury Coke Oven Emissions
- Silica
- Arsenic
- Isocyanates
- Ethylene Oxide
- Vinyl Chloride
- PCBs (generally within the scope of the survey though not part of the named substances)
Benefits Of A Designated Substance Survey Report
- It helps you find out which of the designated substances listed above is a cause for concern for you. Asbestos, for instance, can be found in building insulation, pipes, tiles, etc. while lead and mercury forms the basis of many paints.
- It confirms findings through certified, independent lab reports that conform to Ontario requirements.
- It determines where and how much contamination there is so that proper precaution can be taken.
- It eliminates any unnecessary liabilities (and compensation) surrounding exposure to this health hazard.
Where Can You Obtain A Toronto DSS Report?
Only trained and certified inspectors can conduct a Designated Substance Survey. Make sure your inspection company has the appropriate credentials for the job. It will impact your safety and the accuracy of the test results.
Toronto DSS reports from Asbestos Environmental Of Canada (AEOC) can pinpoint specific trouble areas as well as save you the unnecessary remediation work. We employ certified inspectors to perform the testing, plus all findings are confirmed by an independent laboratory.
These detailed Designated Substance Surveys can be provided to contractors who will be involved in the building project. The contractors, in turn, must pass them on to any sub-contractors who will be working there. All individuals working on the site need to be informed about the conditions and risk levels so that they can take the required safety measures. The latest, most advanced equipment is used by our certified inspectors ensuring a high degree of accuracy so you can take an informed decision about next steps.
Call Asbestos Environmental Of Canada at 416-985-5025 to book a designated substance survey before construction, demolition or restoration work on your premises begins.
