Client Type: Police Service
Location: Multiple secure facilities across a large regional jurisdiction
Services Provided: Occupational Hygiene and Environmental Testing Assessments
Project Overview
A police service engaged T. Harris Environmental Management Inc. (THEM) to deliver a wide range of occupational hygiene and environmental testing services across multiple facilities over several years. The scope included mould and indoor air quality investigations, drinking water testing, noise, ventilation assessments, lead exposure studies, and the development of a comprehensive Lead Control Program. Lead is a designated substance in Ontario and regulated under Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 490/09: Designated Substances. Lead is often present in ammunition and is a hazard in police firing range environments where lead-containing ammunition is used.
The overarching objective was to protect personnel, confirm regulatory compliance, and establish sustainable controls for managing complex occupational hazards in operational police environments.
Client Context and Challenge
Police facilities present unique occupational hygiene challenges due to their secure nature, continuous operations, and exposure to multiple high-risk hazards. The client required technically rigorous assessments that could be completed with minimal disruption while addressing both immediate risks and long-term compliance obligations.
Key challenges included:
- Secure, high-activity environments: Assessments were conducted in occupied police facilities with limited scheduling flexibility.
- Multiple exposure pathways: Hazards included airborne, dermal, and ingestion risks associated with lead, noise, mould, and ventilation performance.
- Specialized operational spaces: Shooting ranges, gun cleaning areas, property (evidence) rooms, and detention-adjacent spaces requiring tailored assessment approaches.
- Program-level compliance: Beyond individual assessments, the client required standardized, organization-wide programs to manage ongoing risk.
Scope of Services
THEM provided multidisciplinary occupational hygiene services across multiple facilities, including:
- Mould investigations and indoor air quality assessments
- Drinking water sampling and analysis in accordance with provincial requirements (O. Reg. 169/03: Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards)
- Lead exposure assessments during firearms use and cleaning activities
- Noise exposure monitoring and evaluation
- Ventilation performance assessments in shooting range environments
- Development of a written Lead Control Program for multiple facilities
All assessments were conducted using accredited laboratories, calibrated equipment, and recognized occupational hygiene standards.
Approach and Execution
THEM applied a phased, risk-based approach tailored to the operational realities of policing environments. Sampling strategies were designed to capture representative exposures while maintaining security and operational continuity.
For shooting range environments, THEM conducted integrated lead, noise, and ventilation studies to fully characterize exposure risks. Where deficiencies were identified, practical engineering, administrative, and personal protective measures were recommended. Decision analysis software was used to help determine these recommendations.
In areas where surface contamination posed a risk of secondary exposure, THEM focused on hygiene practices, cleaning protocols, and training. Program development work translated assessment findings into clear procedures aligned with regulatory requirements and best practices.
Outcomes and Value Delivered
THEM’s work provided the police service with defensible, actionable information and long-term risk management tools. Key outcomes included:
- Confirmed compliance: Assessments verified compliance with applicable Ontario health and safety regulations and identified areas requiring improvement.
- Risk reduction: Targeted recommendations addressed lead, noise, mould, and ventilation hazards across multiple facilities.
- Improved worker protection: Enhanced controls, training, and hygiene practices reduced hazard exposure risks for personnel.
- Program consistency: The Lead Control Program established a standardized framework for managing lead hazards across the organization in accordance with Ontario regulation.
- Operational confidence: Clear documentation and evidence-based recommendations supported informed decision-making and audit readiness.
Repeat engagements across multiple years and facilities reflected confidence in THEM’s technical expertise and practical, client-focused approach.
Why This Matters for Police and Emergency Services
Police services and emergency organizations operate in complex environments where occupational hazards cannot be addressed in isolation. Effective health and safety management requires integrated assessments, strong technical judgment, and programs that translate findings into sustainable practice.
THEM’s experience supporting policing environments demonstrates how comprehensive occupational hygiene services can protect personnel, support compliance, and create safer, healthier workplaces over the long term.