Asbestos Survey - Lead Survey - Hazard Assessment
Specializing in Lead Risk Assessments for Child-Occupied Facilities
Welcome to Compli-Chek Environmental, LLC – a veteran provider of environmental hazard assessment services. Compli-Chek brings proven experience to Michigan’s business, property management and residential communities. With 20 years in the field, performing hundreds of asbestos inspections, lead inspections and lead risk assessments, Compli-Chek, is uniquely qualified to assist clients with a wide range of hazard-related services. Our Services | General Hazard AssessmentConstruction, Demolition, Abatement | Business, Industry, Institutions, Governments
Property Management, Lender and Residential Services |
Compli-Chek Environmental, LLC
Burt R. Russell, Owner and OperatorSince 1987: NIOSH 7400 Method Microscopist
Since 1987:Licensed Asbestos Inspector No. A-5514
Since 1998:Licensed Lead Paint Inspector No. P00187 General Hazard AssessmentLead Paint Risk Assessment by a Michigan Lead Risk AssessorA risk assessment is an in-depth evaluation of deteriorated lead-based paint, dust and soil hazards found in homes and child-occupied facilities. This service can only be performed by a Michigan-licensed Lead Risk Assessor. The process involves the identification of painted components that are deteriorated and in poor condition due to friction, impact or water damage. State-of-the art detection equipment is used to test the lead content in each painted surface in poor condition. Dust samples are collected inside the dwelling from floors and windows and analyzed by a Michigan-approved laboratory. When bare soil in play areas, around the house perimeter or other area of the yard is discovered, additional samples are collected and analyzed. All of this information is used to determine whether hazards are present and, if so, recommendations are provided to address those hazards. Compli-Chek has performed over 700 lead paint inspections and risk assessments in Michigan since 1998. If you have concerns about your family’s safety, your home or your income property, please call us at 1-800-813-8768. Lead Paint TestingA lead paint inspection is a surface-by-surface inventory of all painted components on the property. State-of-the art detection equipment is used to test each painted surface. An inspection does not identify paint-related hazards but will often help the homeowner to avoid creating them when performing work that will disturb potential lead-based paint. Commercial painters, contractors, institutions and homeowners should include a lead paint inspection in order to protect building occupants, families and workers from lead exposure during renovation activities. When renovating or painting your own home, there is a wealth of information online at the Michigan Lead and Healthy Homes section of the DPH.
Compli-Chek has performed over 700 lead paint inspections and risk assessments in Michigan since 1998. For XRF testing Compli-Chek owns and operates an RMD LPA-1 X-Ray Fluorescence reader. If you have concerns about your family’s safety, your properties or those involved in their maintenance or improvements, please call us at 1-800-813-8768. Lead Project ClearancesLead hazard reduction projects are cleared either pursuant to Michigan Lead Hazard Remediation Rules or in accordance with the HUD Federal Guidelines for "Interim Controls" projects. A lead clearance consists of a visual assessment and the collection of dust samples following the completion of the work.
Compli-Chek regularly provides clearance services for large-and small-scale lead and asbestos projects throughout Michigan. Our report formats are concise and easy to understand. Lead Hazard ReductionAbatement methods consist of removal, enclosing or encapsulating a building component. When a hazard is treated with abatement it must be performed by a Michigan-licensed abatement contractor. Renovation and remodeling contractors may perform some types of work (window, door or other component removal or enclosure) if the primary intent of the project is not to eliminate the hazard. Michigan law does not permit these contractors to use or advertise abatement methods and services without training and licensing. Removal: While removal of building components with lead hazards may be done by the homeowner, it is never advisable. Removal is also frequently performed by poorly trained renovation contractors who have only a limited understanding of the hazards they create in homes across the nation. Occupant protection and worker safety are often ignored or unknown. Homeowners should be aware of Michigan’s and EPA’s “Pre-Renovation Education Rule requiring all contractors to provide lead hazard information to homeowners before conducting renovations and remodeling. In 1993-94 the Centers for Disease Control performed a study which revealed that 6.9% of children with elevated blood lead (EBL) were found to live in households where a renovation or remodeling activity occurred. While the types and processes associated with the work were not part of the study it is widely understood by the lead risk assessment community that much of the work involved window or door replacement or exterior painting. Encapsulation: Another abatement procedure performed by licensed lead abatement professionals involves the covering of lead-painted components with an impermeable liquid coating that safely seals the paint beneath. Encapsulants, when properly applied, will provide a durable and effective treatment of components with a large surface area (such as interior walls/ceilings/trim andexterior walls, soffits, casings) for about 20 years. They will need to be monitored for new damage and eventually re-applied. Enclosure: A more permanent hazard abatement method involves the construction of a permanent barrier on or over the component. Exterior siding and component wrapping, installation of drywall over existing walls and ceilings and the “boxing-in” of a component are all effective abatement methods.
Asbestos Abatement Project Clearance Compli-Chek owner, Burt Russell, has been a NIOSH 7400 Method Stage Contrast Microscopist since 1992. Mr Russell has performed hundreds of visual and air clearances for Michigan contractors and building owners. Asbestos TestingAsbestos testing consists of a building survey, material sampling and laboratory analyses of structural materials suspected to contain asbestos. Inspections will often involve some level of destructive sampling of structural components in order to disclose hidden materials or perform sampling tasks. Any inspection for asbestos-containing materials must be performed by a Michigan-licensed Asbestos Inspector. An Asbestos Inspection report will typically provide detailed data on material locations, quantities, conditions and sample sites. The prioritization of asbestos hazards, their severity and recommendations for hazard treatments are not usually provided with an asbestos inspection.
Asbestos and Home Inspection: There is no regulatory requirement for homeowners to test for asbestos when planning to renovate their homes themselves. Reach them at 517-335-9390. If you intend to do the work yourself, have the materials you will disturb tested to ensure your family’s and your own safety. If you are contracting for construction, renovation or demolition services by others, there are federal and state regulations (see below) that require the identification of all materials suspected to contain asbestos before any of these activities are commenced.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Asbestos NESHAP’s Compliance: The National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (CFR 40.763) are federal standards for air contaminants and the control of their release into the environment. Michigan asbestos regulations under the NESHAPs fall under the authority of Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality DEQ. The DEQ Asbestos NESHAPs Program has the authority to inspect all construction-related activities including renovation and demolition (reno/demo) projects, for the presence of asbestos-containing materials and potential airborne release of asbestos fibers. It is the contractor’s responsibility to confirm that an inspection for asbestos-containing materials has been performed before reno/demo activities take place. If asbestos-containing materials are present, some may be permitted to remain in the building during reno/demo and others will require removal by Michigan-licensed abatement professionals.
Asbestos OSHA Compliance: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) asbestos standards regulate worker and occupant exposure to asbestos during maintenance activities as well as asbestos abatement projects. Appropriate worker and occupant protection is mandated and appropriate engineering controls must be in place when performing any task which might disturb or dislodge asbestos-containing materials. Industrial hygiene services such as area air monitoring and project oversight are necessary to assure that potential contamination is contained and workers/building occupants are not exposed.
Asbestos NESHAPs and OSHA Compliance: Compli-Chek Can Help! Compli-Chek has performed over 2,300 commercial, residential and institutional asbestos inspections in Michigan. We assist the regulated community with all phases of asbestos-related compliance including asbestos survey, abatement project design, oversight personnel exposure monitoring and final air clearance. If your company is responding to a DEQ audit, if you are a contractor with a need for site-related information or if you just have a question about OSHA or NESHAPs compliance, please call us at 1-800-813-8768. Asbestos Hazard AssessmentThe identification, severity and recommendations for asbestos-containing materials and their management is critical information needed by building owners and managers in order to protect building occupants. The decision-making process concerning asbestos hazards can include a number of alternatives: In-Place Management: Asbestos hazards in and on buildings must be managed through the practical application of an Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Plan. Some materials may pose little potential for exposure. An asbestos inspection and hazard assessment will be used to document the location of all asbestos-containing material that will remain. Records of maintenance and removal activities, contractor and occupant notification and personnel awareness training will be maintained in the Plan. The materials will require periodic monitoring for new damage or deterioration sources. The requirements for employee awareness of workplace hazards are fully satisfied with the implementation of an Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Plan. AHERA and Schools Compliance: In 1986, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) was signed into law as Title II of the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). Additionally, the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act (ASHARA), passed in 1990, required accreditation of personnel working on asbestos activities in schools, and public and commercial buildings. AHERA Compliance: Compli-Chek Can Help! Compli-Chek has been writing Asbestos Management Plans for schools and institutions since 1987. Hazard CommunicationWhen asbestos or potentially harmful materials or chemicals are present in accessible areas of buildings or when an owner intends to manage, repair or remove asbestos or lead-based paint, employees, visitors and contractors must be be provided with the knowledge of these hazards in their environment. In Michigan this information is assured through Michigan's "Right to Know" laws.
Hazard Communication: Compli-Chek Can Help! Compli-Chek writes Hazard Communication Plans for building owners, managers and employers who have either been audited by a division of DLEG or simply wish to be proactive with the care and health of their building occupants and work forces. We have used the same internally designed HazCom Plan since 1988. The Plan consists of two components: a materials database with standardized in-house procedures and a "Living Document" that allows the user to update the various compliance sections with new information.
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