Employee Health & Safety Consulting

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY SERVICES

Construction Sites are intrinsically unsafe. Site workers regularly do their jobs with or near large, motorized equipment often while working on high evaluations or in deep excavations. Noise levels are often overpowering, and site lines are frequently obstructed. Without protection from the elements, site conditions include mud, dust, uneven surfaces, tripping hazards and it can be brutally hot or severely cold. Added to this mix is the dynamic of a multi-employer worksite with varying levels of safety culture and training. It’s complicated, but regardless, a safe work place is required under Federal CFR 1926 and many local laws.

Novisal understands the regulations and all these hazardous conditions. We work right alongside site employees—our mission—to ensure that employees are protected, understand the hazards and that the work can continue without interruption from incidents and accidents. Our services include:

  • Pre-Project Planning
    • Site-Specific Health and Safety Plans
    • Preconstruction Meetings & Planning
    • Accident Prevention Plans
    • Corporate Health and Safety Plans
    • Job Safety Analysis (JSA) Preparation and Review
    • Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) Preparation and Review
    • Standard Operating Procedures
    • Lift Plan Review
    • Confined Spaces (Evaluations / Plans / Permits / Audits)
    • Subcontractor Programs
    • Employee OSHA Construction Safety Training

  • On-Site Safety Services
    • Construction Site Safety Managers & Technicians
    • Construction Safety Audits / Inspections
    • Personal Protective Equipment Assessments
    • Weekly Safety Meetings
    • Silica and Respirable Dust Exposure Monitoring
    • Noise Monitoring
    • Trenching and Excavation Inspections & Competent Person
    • Confined Space Attendant
    • Incident / Accident Investigation
    • Subcontractor Oversight
    • Toolbox Talks and Training

HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE SAFETY SERVICES

Clean-up activities on environmentally impacted properties are much like those on construction sites with the added hazard of soil and water contamination—both known and unknown. Engineers and remediation professionals working on these sites need protection from a full scope of hazards to meet compliance with Federal CFR 1910.120 and EPA regulations as well as state and local environmental laws.

Novisal has extensive expertise providing worker and public safety services on environmentally impacted sites such as Superfund (CERCLA) and Brownfield sites, disaster recovery sites, landfills, former Manufactured Gas Plant sites and energy plants. Our job—to understand all the hazards—physical, biological and chemical—and help to keep workers and others on or near the site unharmed. Our services include:

  • Pre-Project Planning
    • Site-Specific Health and Safety Plans
    • Certified Industrial Hygienist SSHASP Review
    • Exposure Monitoring Plans
    • Perimeter Monitoring & Community Air Monitoring Plans
    • Accident Prevention Plans
    • Corporate Health and Safety Plans
    • Job Safety Analysis (JSA) Preparation and Review
    • Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) Preparation and Review
    • Standard Operating Procedures
    • Confined Space Evaluations, Plans, Permits & Audits
    • Subcontractor Programs
    • Respirator Fit-testing
    • Employee OSHA HazWOPER Training

  • On-Site Health and Services
    • Health Safety Officer & Site Safety Managers
    • Exposure Monitoring Technicians
    • Perimeter Monitoring
    • Noise Monitoring
    • Personal Protective Equipment Assessments
    • Weekly Safety Meetings
    • Trenching and Excavation Inspections & Competent Person
    • Confined Space Attendant
    • Incident / Accident Investigation
    • Subcontractor Oversight
    • Toolbox Talks and Training

 

GENERAL INDUSTRY HEALTH & SAFETY

Manufacturing, Research & Development, Processing Plants, Recycling, Pharmaceutical, Utility and Warehousing are all examples of operations covered by OSHA’s General Industry Clause. Novisal provides the expertise to help owners and operators in these businesses meet compliance requirements. We are highly knowledgeable in the identification, management and control of the chemical, biological and physical hazards of concern in the industrial sector and experienced in defining and communicating the risks and the solutions to employers and employees.

Many of these facilities have complex operations which can cause considerable compliance challenges. The Novisal staff employs best practices and proven methodologies to define potential worker exposure to these hazards and determine if these exposures exceed acceptable levels. We can also provide guidance in compliance with TSCA, RCRA, DOT and NFPA regulations and guidelines. Our services include:

  • Environmental, Health and Safety Assessments & Audits
  • Compliance GAP Assessments and Closure Plans
  • Job Hazard Assessments
  • PPE Hazard Assessment and Selection
  • Chemical Vulnerability Assessments and Chemical Security
  • EHS Program Review and Development
  • Engineering Control Evaluation
  • Radiation Safety
  • Laboratory Safety and Chemical Hygiene
  • Industrial Hygiene and Exposure Assessments
  • Environmental Compliance
  • Emergency Response Planning, Development and Implementation
  • Contractor Safety Programs
  • Hazardous Materials Management
  • GHS Compliance Assistance
  • Fire and Life Safety
  • EHS Standard Operating Procedures
  • OSHA Negotiation and Citation Reduction

AIR MONITORING

Community & Work Zone Air Quality Monitoring Services
for Environmental Site Remediation and Construction/Demolition Projects

Novisal has the required expertise to implement a compliant and effective air monitoring program for environmental remediation and construction/demolition projects. We have years of experience developing air quality sampling plans and providing Site Safety Officer Services in tandem with Air Quality Technician Services—using the most technologically advanced equipment—to reduce the overall cost of site safety.

Novisal will manage the entire site-safety, community safety program, working closely with all stakeholders for a successful outcome. We can:

  • Develop air monitoring plans to meet Spec for public health and worker safety
  • Install and manage stationary or mobile field air monitoring stations—with real-time data, alarming capabilities and reporting features
  • Provide HSO / CSO services—offering field technicians who can manage both the air monitoring stations and site-safety—reducing the overall cost of H&S per project
  • Offer CIH services to help understand the data for immediate hazard mitigation and protection

Perimeter or Site-Safety ambient air quality monitoring programs are generally required on construction projects and at hazardous waste (environmental, MGP, landfill, and dredging) remediation sites. Air quality monitoring programs protect worker and public health as well as reduce stakeholder liability related to excessive exposure to dust, noise and contaminants in the soil. Novisal’s industrial hygiene team will design air monitoring and sampling plans and programs based on the known environmental stressors to select the proper monitoring instrumentation, characterize target parameters and action levels, and help identify how data is reported, archived and controlled.

To meet Community / Perimeter Air Monitoring and Work Zone Air Monitoring programs requirements, air monitoring stations are typically installed or posted around the worksite perimeter and near active work zones to collect information about dust, noise, VOCs and wind direction/speed. These computer-based system use wireless telemetry to relay real-time data to a secure cloud server—the data can then be accessed via the web from any PC, laptop, smart-phone, or tablet—visible on a user dashboard. Systems are set-up to perform alarm calculations based on the air monitoring plan, provide alerts and alarms during excursions. The data collection will also provide information about the impact of the project on the surrounding community.

Novisal’s team of HSOs / CSOs are experienced at managing the air monitoring field units and interpreting the data to inform site owners, and as site-safety professionals, they will make fast and informed decisions about site conditions to address air quality issues related to work tasks, procedures or weather conditions.

Hiring a Novisal HSO/CSO to manage both the air monitoring equipment and the site-safety can help avoid prolonged work stoppages and keeps the project moving forward.

HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING

Safe work practices start with effective EHS training and effective EHS training is best delivered by EHS specialists and practitioners—like Novisal. The Novisal Team has the prerequisite field experience to design and deliver EHS courses with real impact. They are both book-learned and experiential subject-matter experts with that “been there-done that” know-how that can confidently address students’ questions and concerns. For employers, this means staff time off the worksite is well spent.

Using the best practices in adult learning techniques, Novisal creates client-specific courses to ensure that the time and dollars invested deliver results!

Novisal can help companies and organizations meet the training requirements under OSHA 1926 & 1910, EPA, DOT and certain local regulations. Training is available at your office or job site and can vary from general awareness to courses requiring certification of hours and delivery. We are also experts in explaining the regulatory requirements, helping you invest in the right training and avoid unnecessary costs.

Construction Safety Training

  • OSHA 10- & 30-Hour Outreach for Construction
  • OSHA 10-Hour Safety in Construction for Engineers
  • Permit-Required Confined Space Entry
  • First Aid, CPR + AED (Adult) & Bloodborne Pathogens
  • Fall Protection and Scaffolding Safety
  • Walking & Working Surfaces
  • Trenching and Excavation
  • PPE and Respiratory Protection
  • Silica Safety
  • Fire Watch
  • Asbestos and Lead Awareness Training
  • Electrical Safety NFPA-70E

Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Waste Training

  • 40-Hour HazWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response for Site Workers)
  • 24-Hour HazWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response for Site Workers)
  • 8-Hour HazWOPER Annual Refresher (for Site Workers)
  • 24-Hour HazMAT First Responder Technician Level (for Emergency Response Teams)
  • 8-Hour HazMAT First Responder Operations Level (for Emergency Response Teams)
  • 8-Hour HazMAT First Responder Specialist (for Emergency Response Teams)
  • HazMAT Awareness (for Emergency Response Teams)
  • 8-Hour HazMAT Annual Refresher – all levels
  • Fire and Emergency Response Planning
  • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Training
  • DOT & IATA Hazardous Materials Training
  • PPE and Respiratory Protection

General Industry Training

  • OSHA 10- & 30-Hour Outreach for General Industry
  • Permit-Required Confined Space Entry
  • First Aid, CPR + AED (Adult) & Bloodborne Pathogens
  • Fall Protection and Scaffolding Safety
  • Walking & Working Surfaces
  • Asbestos and Lead Awareness Training
  • Electrical Safety NFPA-70E
  • Fire Safety and Fire Prevention Training
  • Forklift Safety Training and Driver Certification
  • Lockout/Tagout and Machine Guarding Training
  • Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Training and Hazard Communication
  • PPE and Respiratory Protection
  • First Aid, CPR + AED (Adult) & Bloodborne Pathogens

RESPIRATOR FIT-TESTING

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Meet OSHA Requirements

According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134, employers must evaluate the potential for respirable hazards to impact employees on the job. Should they exist and engineering controls cannot abate these hazards, respiratory protection may be required—this means the employer will need to create a Respiratory Protection Program complete with:

  • A Written Respiratory Protection Program for your operation or facility
  • A Respiratory Protection Program Administrator who will manage the program
  • Medical clearance for every employee who will wear a respirator prior to its issue
  • Annual respirator user training for employees required to wear a respirator
  • Annual respirator fit testing for those employees for Make and Model they may wear

The Novisal Team has years of experience enforcing the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard and Respiratory Protection Best Practices. We can perform hazard assessments and exposure monitoring services to determine when or if respirators may be required and we can review your current Written Respiratory Protection Program or develop a program specifically for your operation. Novisal has seasoned Respirator Usage Trainers and Fit-testing Practitioners, experienced in working with many demanding clients in the healthcare, engineering and construction industries. Many members of our staff are OSHA Authorized Instructors (Construction and General Industry) and have worn respiratory protection as part of their job requirements.

Respiratory Protection Management Services:

  • Exposure Assessments to determine if Respiratory Protections is required
  • Written Respiratory Protection Programs
  • Respirator User Training
  • Qualitative & Quantitative Respirator Fit-Testing Services

What is Respirator Fit Testing?

Respirators must form a proper seal to the user’s face to actually provide protection and a fit test is conducted to evaluate the fit of a respirator to its wearer to ensure that seal. Using either a qualitative or quantitative method, Novisal will evaluate the respirators fit—in an effort to reduce the chances of particles or contaminants getting into or around the respirator. We will also teach proper donning, doffing, usage, seal testing and care of the respirator.

Example Projects:

  • Major Healthcare Facility, NYC – ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH / COVID-19 INFECTIOUS CONTROL SERVICES: PPE Protocol Review, Training and Respirator Fit-testing for 11,000 Healthcare Workers
  • NJ County Park Service – RESPIRATOR FIT-TESTING & RESPIRATOR USAGE TRAINING: Over 100 Municipal Workers fit-tested and trained
  • US VA Healthcare

Facility, OK – RESPIRATOR FIT-TESTING & RESPIRATOR USAGE TRAINING Healthcare Workers: Over 400 U.S. Government Healthcare Workers fit-tested and trained

  • Major Healthcare Facility, NYC – Environmental Health / Infectious Control Services – PPE/Respirator Protocol Development and Staff Training: Over 3000 Healthcare workers trained

Environmental Health

While many job sites have built-in hazards, the environment itself—both natural and built—often has biological hazards that pose risks to workers and the public. Such hazards include lead, asbestos, mold, fungi, radiation, vectors, legionella and other bacteria. Site may also be impacted by the vapor intrusion of chemical hazards from prior tenants or neighbors.

Frequently these hazards are found in areas where there is a high level of public or occupant activity such as in hospitals, schools, retail and office structures, hospitality operations and multi-tenant residential facilities. Opportunities for human exposure is great.

Novisal has broad experience in the practice of assessing and controlling hazards in these environments that can potentially affect human health. We understand that these hazards can impact the people working, living or visiting these places and we will partner with owners and operators to find solutions—keeping access open to the public as much as possible and without causing undue alarm.

Indoor Environmental & Air Quality Services

Novisal collects air samples and site-specific information from building interiors to detect asbestos, lead, bacteria, molds, fungi and other stressors. Upon identification, Novisal develops methods and solutions for elimination and/or control. Services include:

  • Indoor Air Quality Assessments
  • Industrial Hygiene Surveys
  • Industrial Hygiene / Chemical
  • Exposure Assessments
  • Exposure Control Methods
  • Asbestos and Lead Sampling
  • Plans and Assessments
  • Asbestos Maintenance Plan
  • Lead Inspections and sampling Plans
  • Lead Compliance Plan
  • Mold Inspections & Remedial Action Plans
  • Personal Protective Equipment Evaluations
  • Water, Flood, Sewage and Mold Response
  • Legionella Sampling and Management
  • Drinking Water Quality
  • Sampling, including lead in drinking water
  • Vapor Intrusion Investigations

Infectious Control Services

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are complex and complicated with a mix of spaces used to house patients, staff and visitors. This creates a broad spectrum of occupational health, public safety and environmental health hazards. Added to these complexities is the risk of everyday activities which can result in infection for patients and workers. Extraordinary activities such as construction only heighten this risk.

Novisal provides guidance to healthcare facilities in mitigating these risks and controlling infection. Our services include:

  • Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRA)
  • Interim Life Safety Assessment
  • Environmental, Health & Safety Program Development & Audits
  • Emergency Response Planning
  • Fire Prevention and Planning
  • Contractor Safety Programs & Oversight
  • Laboratory Safety & Chemical Hygiene
  • Mold, Lead, and Asbestos Inspections and Management Plans
  • Industrial Hygiene Assessments
  • Water Quality Sampling
  • Employee Training
  • Respirator Fit-testing & Usage Training