mitigating risk during construction: understanding and managing geotechnical risk for site...
TRANSCRIPT
New Site DevelopmentKICKING YOUR PROJECT OFF RIGHT AND MITIGATING RISKS ALONG THE WAY
PREPARED BY
Brian T. Nereson, PESENIOR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER
Suzanne L. Pisano, PE, LEED APDIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE
GEOINSIGHT.COM | 800.217.1953 | [email protected]
AgendaUnderstanding and
Managing Geotechnical Risk for Site Development
Understanding and Managing Hazardous Materials
During Renovation
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What is Geotechnical Engineering?
Knowledge and understanding of the disciplines of rock and soil mechanics to investigation subsurface conditions.
A STRUCTURE IS ONLY A SOUND AS ITS FOUNDATION!
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Educated in Civil Engineering
EDUCATED
Licensed by individual states to practice engineering as Professional Engineers
LICENSED
Frequently experience in environmental consulting and may hold other environmental-related licenses
EXPERIENCED
About Geotechnical Engineers:
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The role of the geotechnical engineer is to design and oversee construction of:
• Foundations
• Earth Slopes
• Retaining Walls
• Embankments/Levees/Dams
• Tunnels
• Roadways
• Groundwater Management Systems
• Foundation Rehabilitation
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“Geotechnical engineers ensure the long term stability of various structures and earthworks.”
- (Pile Buck Magazine)
“Geotechnical construction records show that ground conditions are often the cause of very large cost and time overruns. Geotechnical risk can affect all those involved in construction, including the client, the design and the constructors.”
-(Managing Geotechnical Risk: Risky Business; Maliphant, Paul)
Why is Geotechnical Engineering Important?
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FACT: One of the most common reasons for project overruns is insufficient site characterization
Projects will pay for a thorough ground investigation in one of two ways:
During construction (more expensive)
During design (cheaper)
$$$$
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WHEN GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION IS NOT DONE PROPERLY…
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GEOTECHNICAL FAILURES ARE COSTLY AND MAY RESULT FROM:
1. INADEQUATE CHARACTERIZATION• Lack of data• Misinterpretation of subsurface
conditions
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GEOTECHNICAL FAILURES ARE COSTLY AND MAY RESULT FROM:
2. INADEQUATE DESIGN• Incorrect solution or capacity for
conditions
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GEOTECHNICAL FAILURES ARE COSTLY AND MAY RESULT FROM:
3. IMPROPER CONSTRUCTION AND/OR LACK OF QUALITY ASSURANCE• Poor construction quality• Changed conditions not identified
during construction
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• Significantly variable soil conditions (composition, depth, spatial variability)
• Shallow or deep bedrock
• Shallow or deep groundwater
• 100’s of years of historical development
Challenging Geotechnical Conditions in New England
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Challenging Geotechnical Conditions in New England
Iboston.org
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HOW DOES THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER
MANAGE YOUR RISK?
• Implementing proper investigation, design and construction
consulting practices
• Subsurface conditions are inherently variable and therefore
require:
• Data collection
• Experience
• Judgement
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What Can an Owner do to Manage Risk?
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2. UNDERSTAND RISKS:Have basic understanding of potential geotechnical risks posed by given site
4. ASK QUESTIONS
1. IDENTIFY QUALIFIED
CONSULTANT:Through Architect/Structural Engineer, RFQ,
interview process
3. UNDERSTAND
REPORTS:Have basic understanding of
geotechnical report contents to identify insufficiencies (knowledge
to “ask the question”)
5. INVOLVE YOUR ENGINEER EARLY:
Conduct geotechnical investigation early in the evaluation
and design process
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4. ASK QUESTIONS
1.
IDENTIFY QUALIFIED CONSULTANT:Through Architect/Structural Engineer, RFQ, interview process
EVALUATION OF QUALIFICATIONS:
Professional licensure
Experience with similar projects
Experience with range of subsurface conditions,
design solutions, etc. local to region
Staff availability
Prior litigation
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Risk management should start with selecting the geotechnical engineer based upon qualifications (rather than cost)
2014 DOT study concluded that both clients and engineers agree that
geotechnical qualifications and experience have the most impact on
control of quality
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PRELIMINARY INFORMATION SOURCES TO EVALUATE POTENTIAL RISKS:
• USGS surficial maps (https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/ngm-bin/ngm_compsearch.pl)
• NRCS soil maps (https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov)• State agencies
• University databases
• Local building/code enforcement
• Historical maps/aerial images
UNDERSTAND KEY FINDINGS:• Historic development or filling
• Shallow bedrock
• Significantly soft soils (Clay, Fluvial or Eolian Sand, Lacustrine)
• Significantly dense soils (Till)
• Wetlands
2.
UNDERSTAND RISKS: Have basic understanding of potential geotechnical risks posed by given site
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BASIC GEOTECHNICAL REPORT COMPONENTS:
• PROJECT INFORMATION – is the information correct?
• SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS – is there a detailed description of explorations performed, soil deposits encountered, groundwater occurrence, bedrock encountered
• GEOTECHNICAL EVALUATION – is there is discussion of foundation solutions considered and selection of recommended solution?
• DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS – should provide detailed design recommendations (for use by other project team members)
• CONSTRUCTION RECOMMENDATIONS – should provide detailed recommendations to instruct the contractor how to achieve the design, including any testing requirements
3. UNDERSTAND
REPORTS:Have basic understanding of geotechnical report contents to identify insufficiencies (knowledge to “ask the question”)
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QUESTIONS FOR YOUR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER:
• What project components are expected to result in costs above typical costs?
• Foundations
• Groundwater
• Bedrock
• Soil impacts and soil reuse
• What are the geotechnical risks and are they being avoided, mitigated or accepted?
• Should we consider alternative location(s) for proposed structure based on soil conditions?
4. ASK QUESTIONS
Maintain an open dialogue with the geotechnical engineer
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5. INVOLVE YOUR ENGINEER EARLY:Conduct geotechnical investigation early in the evaluationand design process
Current design methods are intended to account for risk from uncertainties, but cannot replace engineering judgement .
ENGAGE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER TO PERFORM CONSULTING AND INSPECTIONS DURING CRITICAL ASPECTS OF CONSTRUCTION
• Prepare or review geotechnical-related specifications
• Foundation construction
• Retaining wall/slope construction
• Soil & groundwater management
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• What are some hazardous materials encountered during renovation?
• The challenge of polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs)
• Asbestos – quick reminders of state rule variations
• “Other” materials to watch out for
• Managing the risks
Introduction
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What are some of the regulated hazardous materials encountered
during building renovation?
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• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
• Asbestos
• Lead and mercury
• Fuel storage
• “Other” hazardous materials
Hazardous Materials
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POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBs)
• Adhesives• Asphalt roofing materials• Caulking• Light ballasts• Grout• Insulating coatings (often mixed
with asbestos)• Paints• Plasticizers• Tar paper
PCB Containing Materials
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• Cement Pipes
• Cement Wallboard
• Cement Siding
• Asphalt Floor
• Tile Vinyl Floor
• Tile Vinyl Sheet Flooring
• Flooring Backing Construction Mastics (floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, etc.)
• Acoustical Plaster
• Decorative Plaster
• Textured Paints/Coatings
• Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels
• Spray-Applied Insulation
• Blown-in Insulation
• Fireproofing Materials
• Taping Compounds (thermal)
• Packing Materials (for wall/floor penetrations)
• High Temperature Gaskets
• Laboratory Hoods/Table Tops
• Laboratory Gloves
• Fire Blankets
• Fire Curtains
• Elevator Equipment Panels Elevator Brake Shoes
• HVAC Duct Insulation
• Boiler Insulation
• Breaching Insulation
• Ductwork
• Flexible Fabric Connections
• Cooling Towers
• Pipe Insulation (corrugated air-cell, block, etc.)
• Heating and Electrical Ducts
• Electrical Panel
Partitions
• Electrical Cloth
• Electric Wiring Insulation
• Chalkboards
• Roofing Shingles
• Roofing Felt
• Roll Roofing
• Roof Patching
• Cement Base Flashing
• Thermal Paper Products
• Fire Doors
• Caulking/Putties Adhesives
• Wallboard Joint Compounds
• Vinyl Wall Coverings
• Spackling Compound
Suspect Asbestos Containing Materials
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LEAD BASED PAINT (pre 1978) AND MERCURY CONTANING DEVICES
• Fluorescent lamps
• Mercuric oxide batteries
• Mechanical tilt switches in thermostats and silent switches.
• Float control switches
• Plunger or displacement relays Mercury-containing thermostat probes or flame sensors
• Gauges
Heavy Metals
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CONTAINERS AND EQUIPMENT
• Aboveground and Underground Storage Tanks
• Emergency engine day tanks and belly tanks
• Transformers
• Fire pump engines
• Mechanical equipment
• Waste oil tanks and drums
Oil/Fuel Storage
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• Lead based paint• Waste paint/maintenance
supplies
• Chemical storage in laboratories
• Industrial batteries – sulfuric acid/lead
“Other” Hazardous Materials
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• Residual soil contamination
• Hazardous waste storage
• Taxidermy – Arsenic
“Other” Hazardous Materials
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How do we manage PCBs?
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PCBs in Building Materials
Window glazing and caulking contains asbestos and PCBs
USEPA recommends testing for PCBs in building materials, for older buildings with renovations occurring between 1950 – 1979
If background PCB concentrations have been identified in air or dust, USEPA recommends that building materials be tested to identify a source
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Media that contains PCBs with
concentrations
>50 PPM
are regulated by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
PCBs in Building Materials
Building materials that contain PCBs with
concentrations
>50 PPM
are considered PCB Bulk Product Waste (BPW)
Media that has absorbed or is impacted with PCBs from BPW
(i.e., masonry, etc. in contact with BPW or soil)
*Parts Per Million (PPM)
AT ANY CONCENTRATION
can be considered PCB Remediation Waste
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PCB Management
• USEPA Guidance recommends that PCB-containing caulk be removed during planned renovations and repairs
• Comments from USEPA Region 1 (Kim Tisa) indicate that identified PCB Bulk Product Waste > 50 ppm must ultimately be removed
https://www.pcbinschools.org/
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Once impacted media is identified the plan for removal or management should start, and this phase could take some time to develop the appropriate mitigation approach
• Notification to USEPA is not required during planning phase
• Notification and engagement of USEPA is only required when seeking alternative disposal or management approaches
PCB Management
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• If planned renovation is delayed or does not occur, then risk to receptors should be assessed
• Once risk factors are identified, the long-term management approach of impacted media should be developed
• USEPA may need to be engaged depending on the concentration level of the PCBs, the identified risk, and the plan for interim management, under the Risk-Based disposal approach described in 40 CFR 761.62
PCB Management
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• Both BPW and PCB Remediation Waste require different management approaches under TSCA
• TSCA provides disposal approaches for both types of impacted media which does not require USEPA approval
• PCB BPW and PCB Remediation Waste can be incinerated or disposed in a TSCA Landfill with no additional testing; however, this disposal option is the most expensive
PCB Waste Management
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PCB Remediation Waste Management under TSCA
DESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE
SELF-IMPLEMENTED
• PerformcharacterizationanddelineationinstrictaccordancewithUSEPAmethods
• Allowssegregationofwastefordisposalpurposes(canreducedisposalcosts)
• SubmitdataandcleanupplantoUSEPA• RequiresUSEPAapproval;presumptiveapproval
after30days,ifUSEPAdoesnotrespond• Requiresverificationsampling toillustratecleanup
• Mostcontrolforowner,typicallyafastapproach,butnotalwaystheleastexpensiveduetohighsampling andanalyticaltesting costs
• RISK-BASED • Allowsproposalforalternativecleanupoptions
andmethods(ifapprovedbyUSEPA),suchasencapsulationorpropertydeedrestrictions
• RequireswrittenapprovalfromUSEPA• Maytaketime(months?)togainapproval• Requiresverificationsampling toillustratecleanup
• IfownerhastimetonegotiatewithUSEPA,couldminimizecostsoverall
• PERFORMANCED-BASED
• Remediationmustcleanuptomoststringentthresholds
• RemediationwastemustbedisposedasTSCAwaste
• Requiresverificationsampling toillustratecleanup
• Typically,thefastestapproach,butdisposalcostscouldbeexpensive–goodoptionforverysmallprojects
• DoesnotrequireUSEPAapproval.
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PCB Waste DisposalWasteDisposalFacilityand
TypeTypicalCost Note
TSCALandfill(PCBsabove50ppm)
$250to$300perTon
Maybeappropriateforsmallvolumesofwaste
SolidWasteLandfill:ACMOnly(PCBsnotidentified)
$100perton
SolidWasteLandfill:ACMandPCB(musttestorassumePCBsinACMwaste)
$105perton IncrementalcostincreaseondisposalifwastealsoassumedtobePCB-impacted;abatementlaborcostincreasesbecauseworkersrequireOSHA40-hourtraining
Recycling Facility:PCBRemediationWaste:1ppmto49ppm(segregatedbytesting )
$50perton Concentrationmustbemeasuredusing USEPAprotocolstosegregateimpactedmedia
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The options to test
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• To reduce disposal costs, PCB BPW can be disposed in solid waste landfills with special approvals
• However, building materials must first be tested
• Can test in-situ, prior to abatement, or assumed to contain PCBs (designated as Presumed PCB Bulk Product Waste)
• Test in a similar way as ACM testing
PCB Testing
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• Assuming that media contains PCBs (designated Presumed PCB Bulk Product Waste) can minimize or limit in-situ testing requirements
• For the solid waste landfill disposal option, PCB BPW in roll-off containers needs to be tested on a bulk basis for leaching potential
• The toxicity characteristic leaching potential (TCLP) result must be less than 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
PCB Testing
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The Options To Test
APPROACH POSSIBLEOUTCOME
Performscreening levelsurvey Providessomeinformationtoassesslikelihoodofpresenceorabsence;maydecidetoassumeothermaterialscontainPCBsafterpreliminarytesting
Performfullsurveyandtesting ofallbuilding materials
Providestheownercomprehensiveinformationtosegregateanddisposematerialsaccording ly,andcontrolcosts
AssumecertainorallmediacontainsPCBs
Minimizetesting costs;disposalapproachismostconservative,limitsliability,butsignificantlyincreasedisposalcost
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OPTION 1: Test all window materialsOPTIONS PROS CONS
Testing allwindowmaterialsforPCBcontent(includescaulking andg lazing )
Goal:HandleidentifiedPCBimpactedmediaasonewastestream,PCBBulkProductWaste(i.e.,notPCBRemediationWaste)
Performance-baseddisposalapproachwithoutUSEPAinvolvement
Verificationtesting neededtoconfirmremovalofPCBimpactedmedia
Mayminimizedisposalvolumesandcosts
Providesdatatosegregatematerialsbyconcentration
Ifimpactsabove50ppmareidentified,willbeabletotestmasonrytoestablishthicknessofimpactedprofilearoundwindows,tonotoverremovematerial
Portionsofwindowsmaybemoreimpactedthanothers(i.e.,sillsmaybemoreimpactedthatsidewallofwindow),andtesting wouldallowsegregation
IfreviewedbyUSEPA,providesassurancetocurrentandfuturestakeholdersthatcleanupwasperformedinconformancetoTSCA(Peaceofmind).
Demonstratesmorepro-active,thoroughapproachtostakeholders
Providesmoredataintheeventmonitoring andmaintenanceimplementationplan(MMIP)isneeded
Increasedsampling effortandnumberofsamples
MayidentifyelevatedPCBsinexisting building materialsthatcannotbemanageduntildemolition
Increasehandling costforsegregation
SegregationmayrequiremanagementasaSelf-Implementing CleanuporRisk-Basedapproach,involving USEPA
Increasespotentialforstakeholderanxiety
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OPTION 2: Assume All >50 PCB BPW OPTIONS PROS CONS
Assumeallcaulking andg lazing ofwindowsarePCBBulkProductWaste> 50ppm
Goal:HandleallPCBimpactedmediaasonewastestream,PCBBulkProductWaste
PerformancebaseddisposalapproachwithoutUSEPAinvolvement
(verificationtesting wouldberecommendedforthisoptiontoillustrateremoval)
Minimizetesting costs
Reducesdemolitionschedule
Simplifieswastestreamanddisposalmanagement
Disposalapproachismostconservative,limitsliability
Assuming PCBcontentisagoodoptionforasmallprojectwithwell-definedquantitiesfordisposal
Mayneedtooverestimateimpactstosurrounding masonrywithouttesting
Significantlyincreasesdismantling costanddisposalcost
Assuming PCBcontentmaynotbethebestoptionforalargeprojectwithnotwell-definedquantitiesfordisposal(couldbeveryhighcost)
Increasehandling costforremovalofallmediaaroundwindows
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• Be aware of possible state regulations regarding indoor air health hazards
• Most state regulations do not address PCBs in building materials that are in place (i.e. serving their original purpose) and that are not leaking/releasing PCBs to the environment
• If building materials contain >50 ppm, this is a violation of TSCA
• States work in cooperation with the USEPA – and many of the regulations defer to TSCA
• Refer to state-specific websites for PCB management regulations that may apply to your situation
State Specific PCB Regulations
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Asbestos Containing MaterialsREMEMBERING THE STATE-SPECIFIC RULES
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VERMONT• If you are planning to renovate or demolish a building or
structure, an asbestos inspection is required by the Vermont Regulation for Asbestos Control
• Vermont Regulations for Asbestos Control V.S.A. Title 18, Chapter 26 Effective February 1987; Amended November 1995
• These regulations provide for the establishment of procedures to be followed and the standards for certification of asbestos contractors who perform asbestos abatement in any facility
Asbestos Containing Materials
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MAINE• Chapter 425: Asbestos Management Regulations
• This chapter establishes the rules of the Board and the Department for the licensing of business and public entities and the certification of individuals engaged in asbestos abatement activities. These rules also set forth notification and work practice requirements for asbestos abatement activities. Storage of asbestos waste is also regulated by this rule.
• 06-096 DEP, Maine Solid Waste Rules
• CHAPTER 425, Asbestos Management Regulations Revised: February 2011
Asbestos Containing Materials
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NEW HAMPSHIRE• Env-A 1800 Asbestos Management and Control
Env-A 1801.01 Purpose. (a) The purpose of this chapter is to protect the health of the general public by ensuring that asbestos is managed in a manner that prevents the release of asbestos fibers to the environment and human exposure thereto.
(b) It is intended that the rules in this chapter be used in conjunction with other federal, state, and local requirements for managing and controlling asbestos, including but not limited to:
(1) Administrative rules established by the department pursuant to RSA 149-M; and
(2) Federal regulations, including those relating to worker safety, established by:
a. U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926; and
b. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 40 CFR 61 and 40 CFR 763
Asbestos Containing Materials
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“Other” Materials To Manage
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And that’s not all…….
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} Residual Chemicals and Wastes• When completing a building assessment, don’t
forget to look at these often forgotten “other” hazardous materials - $$ for Disposal
} Oil Storage• UST and AST removal and clean-up• Potentially impacted soils/groundwater
} Lead-Based Paint• Understand the implications of testing – look at
the “whole” waste product
Other Materials To Manage
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Managing The Risks
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Take away – Understand the Risks
} Always liable for the final waste disposal} Can always assume the worst and manage as-such} If you are looking for alternatives for disposal to save
money, know when and how to characterize the waste materials
} If leaving known impacted materials, evaluate the risk (i.e., Indoor air quality impacts)
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Take away – Know the Regulations
} PCBS driven by TSCA} No flexibility in asbestos regulations – with additional
state requirements
} Remediation wastes are handled by state-specific clean-up rules
} Bring in expertise for careful interpretation of site-specific issues
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Take away – Plan in Advance
} HAVING KNOWLEDGE PUTS YOU IN CONTROL• Minimize construction delays• Reduces change-orders• Prevents improper waste disposal• Allows you to control hazards
} COMPLETE A HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SURVEY• For use in planning and contract documents• Helps to establish budget
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MANCHESTER, NH | LITTLETON, MA | MIDDLETOWN, CT | YORK, ME
O F F I C E 8 0 0 . 2 1 7 . 1 9 5 3 | G E O I N S I G H T. C O M |
Questions?
Brian T. Nereson, PESENIOR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER
Suzanne L. Pisano, PE, LEED APDIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE