Firestone Building & Rheem Canada Building | Hamilton, Ontario
Services
Project Value
$38,000
Project Overview
MTE was retained by the City of Hamilton to conduct Designated Substance and Hazardous Materials Assessments of both the former Firestone Tire and Rubber Plant and the former Rheem Canada Plant. Our team was able to minimize costs by reviewing the work that had already been completed to eliminate redundant sampling during our investigation. We were also involved with the remediation of the identified substances, to ensure the work was being completed as required.
The vacant Firestone facility was constructed in the early 1920s and produced rubber tires for automobiles until it closed in the late 1980s. The also vacant Rheem Canada facility was constructed prior to 1947 and had also been a site of industrial manufacturing.
Considering the historical uses and proposed demolition activities at both sites, the completion of the assessments was necessary for the City to meet the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and O.Reg. 278/05.
MTE’s Involvement
MTE provided designated substance consulting services for both sites prior to, and throughout, the demolition phase. Our team conducted the assessments to determine the presence of designated substances and hazardous materials.
Our project team’s methodology included:
- Reviewing reports to consolidate existing data and minimize additional sampling costs for the City;
- Visually inspecting both buildings;
- Sampling and analysis of building materials to fill in any data gaps; and,
- Preparing comprehensive reports to summarize our findings
Our investigation identified the presence of significant asbestos, lead, mercury, silica, mould and PCBs within both buildings. As a result, extensive environmental abatement work was required in advance of building demolition.
Our project team also prepared detailed specifications for tendering the abatement work. We also assisted the City in demonstrating their due diligence by conducting milestone inspections throughout the abatement and demolition process to help ensure the safe removal, handling and disposal of hazardous materials by the Contractor.
