EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A HAZMAT REPORT

Are you planning to start a construction or renovation project in British Columbia? Do you know there may be extremely hazardous materials in old buildings that are classified according to their toxicity? A specialized inspection can determine their presence (especially asbestos and lead) in a building structure.

This is crucial to ensure the safety of those who will be working on-site and for those living in the vicinity. At BC Hazmat Inspections, we provide Hazmat reports in Vancouver and surrounding areas; these are prepared by our professional inspectors. What Is the Purpose of a Hazmat Report? It is a survey report mandated by WorkSafeBC regulations to detect hazardous materials in a building due to be demolished or renovated. It comprises a thorough inspection and is mandatory for structures constructed prior to 1990. The data reveals dangers such substances pose to contractors at the worksite, determining the causes and consequences of relevant incidents. What Are the Hazardous Materials Included in a Hazmat Report? The hazardous materials usually included in a report are: • Asbestos • Asbestos containing material (ACM) • Arsenic • Mercury • Mould • PCBs • Lead (lead paint and lead dust) • Ozone depleting substances • Radioactive materials • Silica • Any other toxic or flammable materials What Does a Hazmat Report Contain? A Hazmat report in Vancouver contains crucial information about your work site. Below are the contents of it: Part I - Report Type This has two sub-heads: • This is to report • Indicate what type of report it is Part II - General Incident Information • Date of incident • Time of incident • National Response Centre report number • Location of incident • Mode of transportation • Transportation phase • Carrier/reporter • Shipper/offeror • Origin (if different from shipper address) • Destination • Shipping name of hazardous materials • Was the material transported as a hazardous waste? • Is it toxic by inhalation? Part III – Packaging Information • Packaging type • Packaging identification markings • Package capacity and the quantity description • Packaging construction and test information • Is the packaging for radioactive materials? Part IV – Consequences • Result of incident (spillage, fire, explosion, environmental damage or others) • Emergency report (fire/EMS Report, police report, in-house cleanup) • Damages (material loss, carrier damage, property damage, response cost) • Did the hazardous material cause or contribute to human fatalities? • Did it cause or contribute to any personal injuries? • Did it cause or contribute to an evacuation? • Was it involved in a derailment or a crash? • Did it shut down any facility or any major transportation artery? Part V – Description of Events and Package Failure Part VI – Recommendations/Actions Taken to Prevent Recurrence Part VII – Contact Information How the Report is Prepared? A survey is conducted in accordance with the regulations of WorkSafeBC to collect samples of suspected hazardous materials for analysis. Anything likely to contain asbestos or lead is examined by an accredited laboratory for confirmation. After completion, a report listing all hazardous materials at the worksite is prepared in a tabular form. The risk assessment outlines: • Material type • Friability • Location • Condition • Extent • Accessibility This is then posted at the worksite with photographic evidence of all identified substances. The owner or the prime contractor must file a Notice of Project with WorkSafeBC 24 hours prior to starting work. BC Hazmat Inspections provides analytical laboratory inspections and hazardous materials surveys for asbestos, mould and lead. We are staffed by NIOSH certified technicians who analyze samples quickly and efficiently. If you are considering getting a Hazmat report in Vancouver, contact us on phone, email or visit our office.