R. Dixon Associates - Management Resources for Health, Safety and Environment

COMMHEALTH  - R. Dixon Associates provides a rapid response service in Eastern Ontario. Call 613-476-3141 or 613-921-1479.

Objective of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

The Phase I environmental site assessment (ESA) is intended to assist buyers, lenders and insurers by providing the necessary information to make informed decisions about property transactions, and to avoid hidden liabilities.

The multidisciplinary nature of this work should be recognized. As professional engineers, industrial hygienists, public health professionals and building envelope analysts, it is COMMHEALTH - R. Dixon Associates’ responsibility to fully characterize the nature of conditions which may indicate situational or operational liability for future stake-holders.

Our procedures recognize the mandates of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario, the Regulations of the Ontario Environmental Protection Act, and the guidelines offered by the Canadian Standards Association, and the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation.

Scope of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

CSA Z768-01
O.Reg. 153/04 - Environmental Protection Act.

There are a number of variations in the scope of a Phase I investigation. The tasks listed here are common to almost all Phase I ESAs:
 

1. Performance of an on-site visit to view present conditions (chemical spill residue, die-back of vegetation, etc) ; hazardous substances or petroleum products usage (presence of above ground or underground storage tanks, storage of acids, etc.); and evaluate any likely environmentally hazardous site operations.
2. Evaluation of risks of neighbouring properties upon the subject property
3. Interviews of persons knowledgeable regarding the property history (past owners, present owner, key site manager, present tenants, neighbours).
4. Examine municipal or county planning files to check prior land usage and permits granted.
5. Conduct file searches with public agencies (water board, fire department, county health department, etc) having oversight relative to water quality and soil contamination issues.
6. Examine historic aerial photography of the vicinity.
7. Examine current survey maps to scrutinize drainage patterns and topography.
8. Examine chain-of-title for Environmental Liens and/or Activity and Land Use Limitations (AULs).
9. Asbestos-containing materials are not typically surveyed or sampled in a Phase I site inspection, but suspect building materials will be noted.

An example of a typical COMMHEALTH - R. Dixon Associates Phase I assessment and report is provided in the file below.