Client: A Construction Management Firm Coordinating a 160,000 SF Office Renovation
Project: Manage Hazardous Communication and Work Place Safety Associated with Lead Dust Exposure to Construction Workers
Scope: A construction project entailing the renovation of two 80,000 SF floors for an international news periodical publisher was immediately halted when the concrete ceiling was found to be covered with lead based paint. Construction workers became concerned that impact to the paint during installation of mechanical equipment and during surface stabilization for repainting would pose a health concern due to lead dust exposure.
Challenge: Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s rules and provisions – proper communication of work place hazards and implementation of best work practices were immediately implemented to allow the project to proceed safely. ACE conducted pilot studies utilizing protected workers under controlled conditions to evaluate lead exposure during specific tasks that impacted the lead paint. ACE determined proper work practices to mitigate exposure to workers, conducted on-site health and safety awareness training, coordinated the proper removal and disposal of lead based waste material generated on site and performed daily exposure monitoring on workers. All procedures and practices promulgated and implemented by ACE were peer reviewed by an outside environmental consulting firm.
Results: The project was resumed with the satisfaction of all parties. The written work practices implemented by ACE were revealed to be effective in protecting workers from lead dust exposure based on exposure monitoring for over 30 continuous shifts of work.
Client: A Retail Bank Located in Brooklyn
Project: The underground tank tightness test fails requiring the closure of the tank and the NYSDEC Spill Number
Scope: An underground storage tank (UST) located below and active sidewalk in Brooklyn, NY requires the assessment of the adjoining areas for contamination via soil borings and sampling, the coordination of the removal of the tank from service and final sampling following tank removal to properly close the NYSDEC spill number associated with the tank tightness failure.
Challenge: The tank was located under the existing side walk adjacent to the bank property. Exposure of the tank, excavation and final end-point sampling to evaluate for the presence of residual contamination was performed in isolated and confined conditions.
Results: The tank was safely removed along with a limited quantity of contaminated soil via vacuuming of affects soil materials adjacent to existing buried utilities. End point soil sampling was conducted to reveal no further contamination. ACE provided accurate documentation to the NYSDEC to ensure a record of decision was granted for no further action and the spill number was closed.
Client: Corporate Law Firm
Project: Air Quality Assessment for Various Parameters
Scope: A multi-floor commercial office space renovation was performed leading to indoor air quality concerns and general discomfort by occupants approximately 4-6 weeks after move-in to the newly constructed floors.
Challenge: The hypothesis that low level off gassing of various organic compounds associated with new building materials, adhesives and mastics in conjunction with inadequate ventilation based on occupant density would be difficult to evaluate and confirm.
Results: Analytical results and the sampling strategy applied revealed low level off gassing in the specific location in which concerns were raised allowing the client to modify occupancy load, evaluate ventilation capacity and minimize exposure to workers.
Project: Multi-Phase Asbestos Abatement Project Management
Scope: A multi-million dollar gut renovation of the cellar, 1st and 2nd floors affecting 150,000 square feet of retail and commercial office space. The renovation scope entailed the enlargement of the building footprint to provide greater usable space and improve/upgrade the building façade and lobby image. Demolition of the perimeter wall on three sides, relocation of mechanical systems and rehabilitation of the existing main building lobby required the implementation of a multi-phase abatement plan, integration with the building management, the general contractor and abatement contractor to effectuate the work.
Challenge: Designing and coordinating the removal of asbestos mastic materials located on wall surfaces, thermal insulations on piping risers and asbestos floor tiles/mastic while maintaining safe egress/access, minimal impact to mechanical systems and ensuring work was completed as per strict scheduling milestones provided a multitude of challenges. All abatement work coincided with the on-going construction activities. ACE prepared a complex, multi-phased design along with the preparation of appropriate filings and variances to perform the abatement work in the most cost effective and efficient means.
Results: Over 15 phases of abatement activity performed over 18 months was successfully accomplished by the abatement contractor of record without incident and within the expected scheduling timeframes. ACE provided a consistently high level of logistics scheduling expertise and dedication to ensure quality during the project.
Client: The Health and Safety manager of a leading neuroscience, cancer and plant biology research laboratory on the north shore of Long Island, NY.
Project: A senior administrative laboratory director began experiencing respiratory distress and shortness of breath during working hours. Recent blood work by his allergist/immunologist revealed elevated immune antibodies fungal allergens; specifically Aspergillus.fumigitus. ACE was retained to evaluate/inspect the areas occupied by the affected person and determine the potential source(s) of the fungal allergens.
Challenge: Determine the source of a specific fungal allergen (Aspergillus.fumigatus) exposure and recommend mitigation of the exposure pathway.
Results: Fungal spore sampling within occupied areas of administrator’s office, and within his private home was performed. Bulk sampling and wipe/vacuum samples of suspect/contaminated materials was performed as well. An interview with the laboratory facilities manager regarding the HVAC system, fresh air intake location and the distribution system was performed. Information regarding water intrusion history at the private home was also collected.
The HVAC fresh air intake was found to be located at ground level, directly adjacent to plant beddings covered with wood mulch materials. QPCR (Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) analysis of the mulch material revealed elevated A.fumigatus as well as elevated concentrations within particulate matter on HVAC filter media. Elevated concentration of A.fumigatus spores was also found to exist with the basement of the private home and was determined to be associated with contamination within wall cavities associated with chronic flooding in the basement.
ACE recommended relocation of the fresh air intake to a roof top elevation and remedial activity at the basement of the private home followed by repair of water intrusion at the foundation of the structure to remove the fungal allergen exposure pathways.
Client: Regional Retail Bank
Project: Provided critical technical guidance, quality assurance oversite, and disinfection response coordination at over 80 locations throughout the tri-state area beginning at the inception of the COVID-19 shut down through safe re-opening to ensure over 1200 bank staff and employees were provided a safe working environment in accordance with local, state and Federal requirements.
Scope: ACE engaged with banking senior executive management and board members to establish protocols and standards for facility cleaning and disinfection following confirmed COVID-19 infection of staffers; coordination of disinfection teams throughout the tri-state area along with on-site QA/QC inspections of disinfection procedures. ACE promulgated effective "back to work" protocols for the retail banking industry in accordance with site specific needs and all CDC, NYS and local New York City rules and provisions.
Challenge: In a time of great uncertainty and fear, the need to provide effective responses to mitigate health concerns in the work place, and to permit the bank to remain operational; required collaboration and commitment by many persons. ACE is proud to have assisted in working with the client's team of dedicated people to ensure a safe work environment to the best of everyone's abilities.
Results: The bank maintained banking operations through the course of the pandemic in compliance with all safety requirements and health standards instituted for essential businesses by governmental agencies.
