Ensuring Safety in Southern California’s Water Filtration Initiative
Project Overview: Southern California cities have embarked on a critical initiative to protect the public water supply by installing new water filtration systems designed to eliminate PFAS contaminants. PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a group of man-made chemicals found in a wide range of products, including non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and firefighting foams. These chemicals are highly persistent in the environment and in the human body, meaning they do not break down and can accumulate over time. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to adverse health effects, including cancer, liver damage, and immune system suppression, making their removal from drinking water a top priority.
This significant effort has led to widespread construction across various locations, where safety is paramount.
A-Tech’s Role: A-Tech was called upon to provide Construction Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Program Management assistance at these vital job sites. Their responsibilities included:
- Job Walks: Conduct thorough job walks at active job sites, accompanied by the client’s OSH leadership. They meticulously observed and documented working conditions, identifying any hazardous activities or conditions. Findings and recommendations were then reviewed with site leadership to ensure a safe working environment.
- Emergency Action Plans: Reviewed site Emergency Action Plans to ensure compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements, reinforcing readiness and safety on-site.
- Other OSH Programs: A-Tech’s Environmental, Occupational Safety and Health Team reviewed other corporate and/or site specific programs and plans (e.g. Injury and Illness Prevention Program, Silica Exposure Prevention Program, Respiratory Protection Program) and provided compliance assessments to our clients. These assessments resulted in A-Tech’s Team revising the client’s program or drafting a program when one was not currently written.
- Environmental Compliance Monitoring: During on-site job walks, A-Tech monitored environmental compliance conditions, ensuring that all activities adhered to environmental safety standards. Any findings and recommendations were discussed with site and corporate leadership to address issues promptly.
- Safety Documentation: A-Tech documented the implementation of corporate and/or site-specific occupational safety & health programs, ensuring that all safety measures were properly recorded and followed.
- Regulatory Compliance: Documented federal, state, local, and corporate safety laws, regulations, standards, codes, and rules observed during their assessments, contributing to a robust compliance record.
- Field Reports: Generated daily and/or weekly field reports to keep all stakeholders informed of ongoing safety conditions and any necessary actions.
- Client Collaboration: A-Tech met monthly with the client to review the current work status, upcoming jobs, and any identified needs, ensuring ongoing communication and proactive management of safety concerns.
Additional Services: Beyond their core responsibilities, A-Tech also provided optional services including conducting safety training, supervising contractor safety activities, and assisting with incident investigations. They played a crucial role in accompanying the client’s insurance representatives, management, owner representatives, and compliance inspectors during job walks and reviews, offering expert support.
Impact: A-Tech’s involvement in these projects ensured that the water filtration construction sites across Southern California not only met but exceeded safety standards. Their diligent oversight and management provided a safer environment for workers and contributed to the successful implementation of the filtration systems aimed at protecting public health.
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