A Designated Substance Survey (DSS) is a requirement when renovating or demolishing a building. Designated substances found in building materials may harm those performing work in the building as well as those in the immediate area of where proper precautions are not employed.
There are eleven substances which have been “designated” in the Province of Ontario. They are acrylonitrile, arsenic, asbestos, benzene, coke oven emissions, ethylene oxide, isocyanates, lead, mercury, silica and vinyl chloride.
Four of these designated substances are commonly found in building materials used in the construction of homes, offices and commercial buildings.
They are:
- Asbestos – Found in many buildings materials;
- Lead – Found in paint coatings, solder, bell & spigot pipe fittings, etc.;
- Mercury – Found in thermometers, pressure gauges, electrical switches, relays, etc. ; and
- Silica – Found in concrete, masonry, stone, refractory, etc.
The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that a list of all designated substances at a project site be provided to all bidders at the tendering stage. A Designated Substance Survey (DSS) identifies the designated substances present, their locations and concentrations. This information allows contractors involved in demolition or renovation activities to take appropriate steps to control exposure of workers and the general public to the designated substances that are present.
We also offer our Integrated Health and Safety Online Management Program (HSO), which goes hand in hand with efficient management of Designated Substances across multiple sites. HSO also unburdens a wide range of health and safety responsibilities. Call us today.
Have questions? See our video or write-up below, or just give us a call!
What is a Designated Substance Survey?
A Designated Substance Survey (DSS) is a legal requirement when renovating or demolishing a building in Ontario. A Designated Substance Survey (DSS) identifies the designated substances present, along with their locations and concentrations. Designated substances found in building materials may harm those performing work in the building as well as those in the immediate area where proper precautions are not employed.
Our professional, competent consultants have performed thousands of Designated Substance Surveys throughout Southern Ontario.
Why would I need to get this done?
The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that a list of all designated substances at a project site be provided to any contractors bidding on construction projects involving existing buildings. This information allows contractors involved in demolition or renovation activities to take appropriate steps to control exposure of workers and the general public to the designated substances that are present.
How is it performed?
A Designated Substance Survey is performed on a room-by-room basis. The survey is generally started on the exterior where all finishes and building materials are appropriately documented and sampled. We then move indoors and document each building material and collect bulk samples, as applicable. The samples are documented, packaged and sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. The site information is then collated with the analytical findings into a detailed report that provides the required information to properly manage, handle, remove and dispose of any designated substances.
Indoor Environmental can also help you identify local abatement contractors and provide detailed specifications for the safe and proper disposal of any identified designated substances at your site.
How much will it cost?
The cost to perform a Designated Substance Survey in Ontario varies widely. The reasoning for this is based on the differing eras of building materials, square footage, and different finishes inside the building in question. Rest assured that Indoor Environmental provides our services in the most competent, efficient manner possible at a fraction of the cost of our competitors.
Reach out to Indoor Environmental today if you have any questions or require a Designated Substance Survey for your Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, Sarnia-Lambton or London-Middlesex property.
