Contact & Location
93 Skyway Avenue, Suite 101
Toronto, Ontario M9W 6N6
Since 1979, we provide unparalleled environmental services to our clients.
Our teams include Certified Industrial Hygenists & Registered Occupational Hygenists.
Our training programmes include legislation & working with hazardous materials.
Our hazardous materials management system includes waste, characterization & audits.
In recent years, to protect workers in the construction industry against exposure to hazardous chemicals, the Ministry of Labour removed the exemption to Ontario Regulation 833 that construction projects enjoyed. This regulation sets out requirements for protecting workers against chemical exposures and to abide by the current Ontario legal limit for respirable crystalline silica (quartz & tripoli) of 0.10 mg /m3 TWA.
Silica is very common in construction. It is a major component of sand, cement, gravel, stone, brick and mortar. It can be present in asphalts, roof coverings, joint compounds, plaster, caulking compounds and mastics. It is a common filler for paint, plastics, rubber and water filtration and employed in sandblasting, grinding, abrasives and scouring cleansers.
As a result, occupational exposure to crystalline silica is one of the common occupational hazards on a construction site. Health effects that result from overexposure to crystalline silica include breathing difficulty, lung irritation, decreased pulmonary function, progressive respiratory symptoms, and silicosis lung disease and/or lung cancer.
According to IRSST Report R-771[1], workers in construction face a serious risk of overexposure to crystalline silica. Some of the dangerous occupations include pipeline labourers, drillers, bricklayer – mason, cement finishers and underground workers (IRSST Figure1 [3]). For these occupations, the geometric mean silica exposures exceed the Quebec and Ontario respirable silica legal occupational exposure limits (OEL) of 0.10 mg/m3 TWA.
Occupation is not the only factor that needs to be considered when evaluating the risk of silica exposure – tools, tasks and working materials should play an important part in assessing this risk. Some construction tasks expose workers to silica in amounts, which are 1 – 16 times the acceptable legal limit (IRSST Figure 2 [3]). These tasks include silica for traffic control, tuck point grinding, sawing roofing, tunnel boring, breaking masonry, bush-hammering concrete, grinding and sawing masonry and abrasive blasting.
Some materials present higher exposures than others do with ceramic materials providing higher exposures than cement, followed by mortar and brick then by concrete blocks (IRSST Figure 3 [3]).
Finally, IRRST looked at silica exposure by tool and observed that all examples except for the sander exceeded the OEL for quartz silica in an 8-hour day. These tools in increasing order of exposure included masonry tools, tuck point grinder, surface finishing grinder, tile cutter, drilling machine, jackhammer, tunnelling machine, bush hammer and portable masonry saw (IRSST Figure 4 [3]).
After reviewing all the aspects, which affect silica exposure in construction, it is imperative that engineering controls are implemented to protect workers. Built-in exhaust ventilation and water spraying are important and absolutely necessary engineering control measures to minimize worker exposure to silica dust.
Administrative controls such as safe work procedures, worker training, on-the-job training, new worker orientation, safety meetings, hazard assessments, workplace inspections, silica awareness training and regular toolbox safety meetings are necessary to reinforce safe working with silica.
The final control in the hierarchy of controls is personal protective equipment. Respiratory protection may include full-face air-purifying respirators, powered air purifying respirators or abrasive blast type CE supplied-air respirators depending on the type work being performed. Equally important is that the construction project has a respiratory protection program that meets or exceeds the requirements of CSA Standard Z94.4- 2011 (reaffirmed 2016) selection use and care of respirators to ensure workers are trained, fit tested and work safely with the personal protection that is provided.
Ontario Regulation 833 s. 3 (1) requires that every employer shall take all measures reasonably necessary in the circumstances to protect workers from exposure to a hazardous biological or chemical agent because of the storage, handling, processing or use of such agent in the workplace. An assessment of worker occupational exposures is highly recommended. Where exposure is possible then a control program to limit worker exposure should be developed. The control program should follow the hierarchy of controls to minimize worker exposure. The control measures in decreasing order of effectiveness range from elimination/substitution to use of engineering controls, followed by administrative controls and finally the use or respiratory protection.
Engineering controls could include dust suppression techniques such as using tools with water spray, negative pressure containment, and shower facilities with dirty/clean change rooms, wash stations. Administrative controls could include silica hazard training, respiratory protection training, signage, personal hygiene requirements and restrictions on eating drinking and smoking while personal protective equipment might include respiratory protection, eye protection and work clothes/street clothes change out.
T. Harris Environmental Management (THEM) can help you assess workplace exposures, develop a silica control program, provide training and assess respiratory protection requirements. Contact THEM – your silica experts.
[1] Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), Chemical Substances and Biological Agents, Studies and Research Projects Report R-771 – Construction Workers’ Exposure to Crystalline Silica Literature Review and Analysis, 2013
[2] OSHA, Alliance Program Construction Roundtable, Electronic Library Construction Occupational Safety and Health (elcosh), 2015, website:http://elcosh.org/document/4176/d001466/osha-alliance-program-construction-roundtable%3A-design-for-construction-safety-participant-guide.html, accessed 13/07/2018
[3] Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), Chemical Substances and Biological Agents, Studies and Research Projects Report R-771 – Construction Workers’ Exposure to Crystalline Silica Literature Review and Analysis, 2013; Figure 1 – page 15, Figure 2- page 17, Figure 3 – page 18, Figure 4 – page 18
About 800 square kilometers of Alberta’s Athabasca oilsands are covered in coarse tailings. Contaminated, lacking nutrients and resistant to absorbing water, it is a hostile environment to both plants and soil microbes. It is rare for even weedy plants take root. One of these, a dandelion, was discovered growing naturally on a coarse tailings site. A unique strain of fungus was isolated from its roots. The researchers soon found that when its spores are applied to plants, those plants grow and thrive on coarse tailings – it is in symbiosis with a plant. This fungus has the ability to eat the hydrocarbons and help the plant survive in these environments.
The fungus was even able to grow directly on diesel, crude oil and similar materials as its only nutrient source. This is promising because it can be used to complete remediation and reclamation at the same time. Ordinarily, the removal of contaminants from a site is done separately from land restoration. Contaminated soil is often taken away and replaced, which is in an expensive process. With the help of the newly discovered fungus, treated seeds can be applied directly to the contaminated sites. The next step is proving the method works in the real world.
Read the full article here.
With growing demand for environmental consulting services in Western Canada, it is with great pleasure that John C. Fisher, President & CEO of T. Harris Environmental Management Inc. (THEM), is excited to announce the addition of a new location in Edmonton, AB. As of April 3, 2017, this new location will not only complement, but add to the core competencies of our existing strongholds in Ontario and Quebec.
T. Harris Environmental Management Inc. (THEM) is a leading Canadian environmental consulting firm in the fields of environmental services, hazardous materials management, industrial hygiene, and occupational health and safety. Our professional staff serve a wide range of clientele including commercial, government, industrial institutional, and residential. We are passionate about health & safety and committed to excellence. Since 1979, we continue to provide high quality services, taking pride in building long-term relationships with our clients. We are dedicated to understanding your concerns and meeting your needs by delivering efficient, cost-effective solutions.
Mission: To be the preeminent niche environmental and occupational health and safety consulting firm in Ontario and Quebec.
Vision: To enhance our position as a premier niche environmental consulting company based on knowledge, innovation, technology, and be at the forefront of emerging EHS concerns and regulatory changes. We will achieve this by further developing our expertise, fostering growth of our team, synergistic relationships, excellence in performance, and strengthening client relationships.
Value Statement: We are committed to understanding client concerns and meeting our client’s needs by formulating practical, efficient, and cost-effective solutions.
When this severe flooding happens, it can be a costly experience both emotionally and financially. While it is tempting to wait and see what happens or to try to fix the situation on your own, it is critical to get a professional to address floods and water damage right away.
Looking for a restoration professional? Request a free consultation!
The longer you wait – the more damaged your property can become! Moisture only needs a few hours to cause critical damage to materials in a home or workplace. When any type of water loss or damage occurs, the amount of time a material stays wet is the most crucial factor in determining the damage sustained, and whether or not the material can be restored.
Responding quickly decreases the likelihood of substantial mould growth, which can further damage building materials and cause potentially severe health effects to building occupants.
Don’t try to handle it yourself. Floods and sewage backups may carry with them a lot of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Any type of contact with these microorganisms can be dangerous, especially to at risk building occupants such as seniors and children. Professional restoration companies possess the proper safety equipment for these situations, are trained to protect themselves and building occupants from these hazards.
In addition to contacting your insurance company, the first call made in a water loss situation should be to a qualified water damage restoration service. Finding a company that can respond quickly, provide a full range of services, and is available 24/7 is the first crucial step in response to any water damage or flood situation.
Choose certified water damage restoration professionals. IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) certification assures a company possesses the most up to date training, and is equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively handle your specific situation. The IICRC maintains a Certified Firm registrant-only database, making it easy to find a professional in your neighbourhood.
Restoration technicians have an extensive selection of technology at their disposal. Water damage professionals are equipped with vacuums and pumping systems, dehumidifiers, air movers and moisture metres to assess and effectively dry building components, and chemicals required to destroy mould and fungi growth.
In situations with extensive mould growth, or that involve other severe public health concerns, such as buildings with high risk occupants, an Environmental, Health and Safety professional should be used to assist in evaluating damage and determining cleaning/drying procedures. This will help you in outlining a specific scope of work for the restoration contractor and ensure you are doing more than you really need to.
EHS professionals can also provide post-remediation testing and analysis ensure the effectiveness of remediation and restoration activities. This gives you both records of completed work, as well as the peace of mind that your home or building was restored quickly and safely.
T. Harris Environmental Management Inc. (THEM) is a leading Canadian environmental consulting firm in the fields of environmental services, hazardous materials management, industrial hygiene, and occupational health and safety. Our professional staff serve a wide range of clientele including commercial, government, industrial institutional, and residential. We are passionate about health & safety and committed to excellence.
Start your journey to better EHS – request a free consultation!
For more than 35 years, we continue to provide high quality services, taking pride in building long-term relationships with our clients. We are dedicated to understanding your concerns and meeting your needs by delivering efficient, cost-effective solutions.
Mission: To be the preeminent niche environmental and occupational health and safety consulting firm in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta.
Vision: To enhance our position as a premier niche environmental consulting company based on knowledge, innovation, technology, and be at the forefront of emerging EHS concerns and regulatory changes. We will achieve this by further developing our expertise, fostering growth of our team, synergistic relationships, excellence in performance, and strengthening client relationships.
Value Statement: We are committed to understanding client concerns and meeting our client’s needs by formulating practical, efficient, and cost-effective solutions.
With growing demand for environmental consulting services in Western Canada, it is with great pleasure that John C. Fisher, President & CEO of T. Harris Environmental Management Inc. (THEM), is excited to announce the addition of a new location in Edmonton, AB. As of April 3, 2017, this new location will not only complement, but add to the core competencies of our existing strongholds in Ontario and Quebec. The addition of our Edmonton team greatly enhances our capabilities in supporting clients with multiple locations across Canada.
Furthermore, we introduce you to Garry Adams, B.Sc., P.Ag. our Manager-Environmental Services who will be running our office in Edmonton and not only looks forward to introducing himself to you, but the advantages that working with THEM can bring in resolving your environmental and occupational health and safety concerns.
This expansion is another step towards providing the Alberta market with high quality services, which our long-standing clients have become accustomed to. Since late 1979, THEM has literally built a diverse client base that not only includes some of the biggest players in the oil and gas industry, but many of Canada’s leaders in the industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) community. The strong reputation of our firm is based on the success of our clients, and our ability to provide practical, effective, and timely solutions to what are considered very complex problems. We are proud of the fact that 37 years later our unwavering commitment to these principles and values is instilled in each of our team members.
At THEM we like to treat all as friends. This philosophy is based on the principle that you never let a friend down. This growth will further enhance THEM’s pursuit of fulfilling our mission to be the preeminent niche environmental and occupational health and safety consulting firm in every market that we serve.
For those of you who are not familiar with THEM, our diverse and multidisciplinary organization consists of a team of well qualified individuals including Professional Engineers, Geoscientist and Agrologists, Certified Industrial and Registered Occupational Hygienists, Environmental Scientists, Engineering Technicians and Technologists, Geologists and Laboratory Technicians. Working with a motivated staff and supported by state-of-the-art technology, we utilize these resources to provide effective solutions as dictated by individual projects. We have the staff and expertise to economically and quickly handle a complete range of environmental and construction materials services, regardless of project size or complexity.
It has been a pleasure serving our clients in Ontario and Quebec for the last 37 years and we look forward to providing Western Canada in general, and Alberta in particular with superior EHS consulting services for many years to come.
Our new office is officially open to serve you. Contact us today:
T. Harris Environmental Management – Edmonton, AB
Address: 10665 Jasper Ave, 14th floor, Edmonton, AB, T5J 3S9
Telephone: (587) 338-5737 Fax: 1-888-679-8436
E-mail: info@tharris.ca
Winter is forcing animals to look for food and shelter – and some find both on your property. Do you know what’s lurking in your back yard? Raccoons may look furry and cute, but they are no joke when you are forced to share living space with them. Read on to learn about the dangers raccoons carry and find out tips from our consultants about the remedies that keep raccoons away.
Raccoons are habitual creatures and tend to defecate repeatedly in the same spot, known as a latrine. According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC)[1], common locations where raccoon latrines may be found are the base and forks of trees, raised horizontal surfaces (e.g., fallen logs, stumps, woodpiles or large rocks), decks or patios, attics and garages. These areas may pose a hazard to human health because raccoons are carriers of a parasite called Baylisascaris procyonis, also known as raccoon roundworm, which are excreted in their fecal matter. This parasite is not harmful to raccoons, but may be hazardous or even fatal to humans. The incubation period for eggs to become infectious is approximately 2-4 weeks, so rapid removal and disinfection of the affected areas is will lessen the risk for exposure and infection. The primary route of infection in humans is via ingestion. The risk of infection in humans is generally very low, but young children or developmentally-disabled persons are at greater risk of ingesting affected materials.
The Toronto Wildlife Centre[2] has some helpful tips to deter these furry bandits from using a specific latrine site:
♦ If the latrine is on a deck or patio, simply move or add some furniture or furnishings (e.g., planters). Remember – they are creatures of habit, so they don’t do well with change and will likely find another spot.
♦ Lay down a double layer of plastic sheeting over the latrine site. Raccoons have sensitive paws, and generally do not like the sensation of walking over the double layer of plastic. They will likely move on within a couple of weeks.
♦ For latrine sites on lawns and gardens, soak the area with water so that it becomes wet and muddy. Also, a motion activated sprinkler in the vicinity will assist in deterring raccoons from using the site.
At this time, there are no legally enforceable standards that specifically deals with microbiological standards or procedures for removing raccoon feces. However, the Occupational Health and Safety Act general duty clause applies to all work environments. It is prudent to use strict health and safety precautions and engineering controls for the remediation of raccoon contaminated areas in order to contain contaminants. Such recommended safety precautions are similar to those used for in mould remediation, and should be provided by a qualified environmental consultant.
Although it is recommended that raccoon contaminated areas be abated by a professional environmental contractor, if you happen to inadvertently have contact with raccoon feces, remember to wash skin well with soap and warm water and launder clothes with hot water and detergent immediately after contact occurs. The CDC and Toronto Wildlife centre also provide suggestion on best practices for cleaning procedures.
Sources:
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/baylisascaris/resources/raccoonlatrines.pdf
[2] https://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/wildlife-emergency-rescue-hotline/conflicts-with-wildlife/common-raccoon-problems/raccoons-feces-on-your-property/
ABOUT T. HARRIS ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Harris Environmental Management Inc. (THEM)is a leading Canadian environmental consulting firm in the fields of environmental services, hazardous materials management, industrial hygiene, and occupational health and safety. Our professional staff serve a wide range of clientele including commercial, government, industrial institutional, and residential. We are passionate about health & safety and committed to excellence. For more than 35 years, we continue to provide high quality services, taking pride in building long-term relationships with our clients. We are dedicated to understanding your concerns and meeting your needs by delivering efficient, cost-effective solutions.
Mission: To be the preeminent niche environmental and occupational health and safety consulting firm in Ontario and Quebec.
Vision: To enhance our position as a premier niche environmental consulting company based on knowledge, innovation, technology, and be at the forefront of emerging EHS concerns and regulatory changes. We will achieve this by further developing our expertise, fostering growth of our team, synergistic relationships, excellence in performance, and strengthening client relationships.
Value Statement: We are committed to understanding client concerns and meeting our client’s needs by formulating practical, efficient, and cost-effective solutions.
Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards Update: The Minister’s Advisory Council on Drinking Water Quality and Testing Standards (the Advisory Council) is recommending changes to Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards. It is seeking stakeholder input via a 45 day public review and comment period starting August 23, 2016.
The recommended changes are as follows:
The Advisory Council also made recommendations to adopt Health Canada’s aesthetic objectives for the following substances, effective January 1, 2017:
Learn more and submit your input here.
Is the quality of your drinking water acceptable to these proposed standards? Ask us how you can ensure the quality of your water, contact us at 1-888-ASK-THEM or at info@tharris.ca.
Ontario is continuing its efforts to reduce workplace injuries. From September 19 to October 31, Ministry of Labour (MOL) Inspectors to check that employers have taken proper steps to protect workers handling chemicals.
Prepare for the blitz using this checklist:
Know what you have:
Ask us how you can avoid the risk of mishandling chemicals, contact us at 1-888-ASK-THEM or at info@tharris.ca.
Noise Regulations Come into Effect
The Noise Regulation came into effect on July 1, 2016. It will help protect Ontario workers from hearing loss. Currently it is a leading cause of occupational disease. See the details here.
Ask us how employers and supervisors are responsible for noise exposure. Contact us today at 1-888-ASK-THEM or at info@tharris.ca
The Department of the Environment has identified the need for a number of changes to the regulatory texts of five regulations made under CEPA. The Department of the Environment has also identified other necessary changes and minor issues.
The following regulations have been identified for amendments as part of this omnibus regulatory process:
To find out more visit http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2016/2016-05-21/html/reg1-eng.body.html
T. Harris Environmental Management Inc. Announces Change in Ownership
Toronto ON (December 21, 2012) – T. Harris Environmental Management Inc. (THEM), an established leader in environmental and occupational health and safety in Canada today announced some ownership changes related to the firm.
After 33 years of service to the organization, THEM founder, Trevor J. Harris, has passed over ownership of THEM to President and CEO John C. Fisher, effective October 31, 2012. Mr. Fisher, who joined THEM in 1988, has served in the role of President and CEO since 2010.
Established in 1979, THEM is one of Canada’s most respected environmental consulting firms, offering a comprehensive collection of expertise and a broad range of services including all aspects of environmental services, occupational hygiene and hazardous materials management.
“Trevor Harris’s forward thinking, mindset and drive set the direction for THEM and allowed the firm to realize strong growth within the environmental industry. Under Trevor’s leadership, THEM established a client roster that reads like the “Who’s Who” of the industrial, commercial and institutional community. We wish Trevor all the best in his retirement years,” says Mr. Fisher.
Signalling its new direction and plans to embrace technological advances to provide new and better service to clients, THEM proudly unveiled its new web site, https://tharris.ca/, showcasing the firm’s expertise, broad range of environmental consulting capabilities, and the market sectors it serves.
93 Skyway Avenue, Suite 101
Toronto, Ontario M9W 6N6