August Mack Environmental

The responsibilities of an entry supervisor for a confined space are:

• Know space hazards including information on the mode of exposure, signs or symptoms and the consequences of exposure
• Verify emergency plans and specified entry conditions such as permits, tests, procedures and equipment before allowing entry
• Terminate entry and cancel permits when entry operations are completed or if a new condition exists
• Verify that rescue services are available and that the means for summoning them are operable
• Take appropriate measures to remove unauthorized entrants
• Ensure that the entry operations remain consistent with the entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained

The in-situ remediation technology of dual phase extraction (DPE) is also known as multi-phase extraction or vacuum-enhanced extraction. During DPE, the following occurs:

• DPE uses vacuums to remove contaminated groundwater, free-phase product and contaminated vapors from soils.
• Extracted liquids and vapor are treated and collected for disposal.
• DPE pulls air through pore space in contaminated soils and pulls contaminated groundwater and free product from the same well location.
• Requires permits for discharge of water into POTW or back into the ground.
• May require permits for the discharge of treated vapors to the atmosphere.
• DPE requires regularly-scheduled O&M and sampling.
• Effectiveness depends on type of soils and depths of groundwater.

• Minimal disturbance to site operations.
• Medium length treatment timeframes.
• Flexible applications.
• Can aid in the continuous removal of free product.
• Can be utilized underneath of structures.
• Proven performance.
• Agency-accepted cleanup technology.
• Containment technology.

• Requires extensive knowledge of subsurface conditions (pilot test).
• Above-grade equipment and associated noise.
• Requires continual O&M and sampling.
• Extracts a large volume of groundwater.
• Treatment techniques for vapors removed from soil may be expensive.
• Seasonal temperature changes may affect performance.

In today’s economic condition, an abundance of commercial and industrial properties have been surfacing in the marketplace. While the list of availability grows, the environmental stigma associated with past business at these facilities has continued to rise and continues to be one of the largest deterrents for perspective buyers.  It seems unless the property is “clean”, no one wants to assume “the environmental skeletons” that may reside in the property’s proverbial closet. But “How clean is ‘clean’?” remains the underlying question.   

The advent of risk-based closures has helped define “clean” and the ultimate goal of any cleanup program is a “No Further Action” (NFA) status letter. While this has helped alleviate some buyers’ concerns, unless the words “No Further Action” were uttered by a regulator, the presence of contamination still added a stigma to a property causing most investors, developers and bankers to shy away.

To learn more, click here to read an article written by one of the environmental assessment and remediation experts at August Mack Environmental.

Today's building managers and owners must not only manage the most well-known types of environmental issues in buildings, such as asbestos, lead-based paint, lead in the water and mold, but they also must consider the new environmental exposures issues including Chinese drywall, vapor intrusion and PCBs in caulk.

Since buildings exist to protect people from the elements of the outside world while supporting human activity, buildings should not make people sick, cause them discomfort or inhibit their ability to perform. If environmental exposures are not managed properly, a building owner is likely to experience a high remediation cost and a problematic resolution of liability claims.

Are you doing enough to proactively manage the environmental exposures in your building? Call one of the environmental due diligence experts at August Mack Environmental.

Implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) at your company can be extremely beneficial by providing a general framework for organizing the tasks for effective environmental management. Additionally, implementing an EMS can have the following benefits:

• Integrates existing environmental programs
• Creates an orderly process for understanding and meeting regulatory requirements
• Integrates environmental issues into mainstream business activities
• Reduces risks associated with environmental issues
• Builds an engine of continuous environmental performance
• Improves environmental performance
• Enhances image with public, regulators, lenders and investors
• Increases efficiency/reducing costs

• Entry Supervisor 
• Attendant
• Authorized Entrants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation of fugitive volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions, or leaks, arose out of the research projects conducted between the 1950s and 1980s at several facilities throughout the United States. The research concluded the cumulative effect of all the leaking components may present environmental and health problems to the surrounding area. The research also concluded when most components leak, they do so at very low levels, thus a majority of fugitive emissions come from a very small percentage (not exceeding 10 percent) of high leaking components. The need for fugitive VOC emissions was also necessitated by the fact that approximately 70 percent of total VOC emissions from facilities engaging in processing of gases and light liquids arose from uncontrolled emissions.

To learn more about LDAR, click here to read an article written by one of the environmental compliance specialists at August Mack Environmental.

In the in-situ remedial technology of soil vapor extraction (SVE), the following occurs:

• Vacuum is applied to the unsaturated zone through extraction wells.
• Vacuum causes movement of vapors toward extraction wells.
• Volatile constituents are removed through the extraction wells.
• The extracted vapors are discharged to the atmosphere.

• Proven performance; readily available equipment; easy installation; agency approved.
• Minimal disturbance to site operations.
• Short treatment times (usually six months to two years under optimal conditions).
• Easily combined with other remedial technologies.
• Can be used under buildings and other locations that cannot be excavated.

The disadvantages of in-situ SVE are the following:

• Concentration reductions greater than about 90 percent are difficult to achieve.
• Effectiveness less certain when applied to sites with low-permeability soil or stratified soils.
• May require costly treatment for atmospheric discharge of extracted vapors.
• Air emission permits generally required.
• Only treats unsaturated-zone soils; other methods may also be needed to treat saturated-zone soils and groundwater.

The Safety and Environmental Base Module is the foundation of eCAP^®. This module is designed to provide ongoing solutions to environmental compliance requirements. It provides routine interaction with the environmental compliance consultant experts and plant personnel to ensure consistent environmental regulation compliance and program improvement. This can be accomplished at three levels: program development, program implementation and compliance monitoring. In addition, training can be provided to employees to establish an understanding of the facility’s environmental, health and safety mission. At least one of these options are required and selections of additional options is dependent upon the facility’s compliance needs.

• Asbestos can present time and cost constraints
• Asbestos can require ongoing management
• Construction inspections are required prior to renovation and demolition activities
• Asbestos abatement costs can be expensive