News from Certified Coating Specialists
Certified Plays Lead Roll in Development of New NACE Course
November 14, 2011
NACE Introduces New Course on Field- Applied Pipeline Coating Application.
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High Above BC Place, Safety is Certified’s Mission
August 4, 2011
Vancouver, BC – August 4, 2011. The new retractable roof at BC Place is a one-of-a-kind project with some one-of-a-kind challenges. For Certified Coating Specialists Inc. it was yet another chance to solidify their reputation as the ‘Navy Seals’ of the coating industry – the company to call when a coating job looks nearly impossible. This time around, the Certified crew is putting their high angle rope skills on display, climbing the 14 story tall masts around the perimeter of the stadium, applying the final layer of the special coating protecting the steel from the elements.
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Certified’s Growth Focused on Increasing Service Level
May 12, 2011
Vancouver, BC – May 12, 2011 – Certified Coating Specialist Inc. (Certified) has recently appointed Mark William as Vice President Business Development.
Certified is the industry leading coating contractor specializing in corrosion management, asset rehabilitation, lead abatement, and industrial and marine painting. Certified is a SSPC QP1 and QP2 certified contractor, and in 2009 was ranked as one of the fastest growing companies in Canada by PROFIT.
Mark grew up in the Canadian oil and gas industry with the last decade focused on anti-corrosion in the pipeline and pipe coating industry. As Canadian Manager for ShawCor’s field coating division Canusa-CPS he was instrumental in achieving market growth objectives, new product development, and the commercial introduction of many new products and services. Mark has also used his experience and understanding of coating application to make positive contributions to the industry as a whole by spearheading the creation of the first Field Applied Pipeline Coating Applicator Training Course. NACE will be facilitating the first pilot of this course near Edmonton Alberta September 12-15, 2011.
Mark believes his shift to Certified is a natural progression in his career:
“I spent the last 11 years as the Canadian Manager for the industry’s leading manufacturer of field applied pipeline coatings, and working alongside the world’s leading applicator of plant applied pipeline coatings. It seemed like a natural progression to move to Certified, the industry’s leading coating contractor, focused on field coating applications.” He adds, “I always felt proud to work with the industries best (ShawCor). Certified is the industry’s best coating contractor and my role is to simply help more asset owners understand why.”
As Vice President Business Development, Mark will be responsible for exploring new markets and geographic regions ensuring asset owners across Canada have access to the valued help, answers, and services Certified provides.
“As much as I am part of Team Certified, I work ‘for’ the customer! Understanding needs and what is valued most to ensure Certified is best positioned to provide it”, says Mark of his perceived role in the company. He adds, “understanding an asset owners’ primary interest is the productive life of their asset and the profit it helps generate. My focus is to help ensure Certified’s services will be provided such that the impact on production, profit, and life cycle cost are minimized.”
Mark holds an MBA from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Administration degree from Athabasca University. Mark has also been a long-standing member of NACE International, the Canadian Heavy Oil Association, and Ducks Unlimited. Follow Mark William on LinkedIn.
Contact Mark William directly at: 403-620-7657
Certified Coating Specialist Inc. has achieved Substantial Performance on the repainting of the Pakan Bridge for Alberta Transportation.
October 12, 2010
The rehabilitation consisted of removal and recoat of 90,000 sq/ft of the structure over a 61-day period. The removal of the existing lead contaminated coating was accomplished under full lead abatement safety and environmental controls. The successful completion of this particular project, under the tight schedule, was only achievable with the use of CCS’s Quality Control Program and working closely with both Alberta Transportation, CH2M, suppliers and subtrades. The execution entailed erecting an engineered scaffold and hoarding system, surface preparation, coating and some steel work. The coating system employed on this project was the first of its kind in Canada and with the support of the coatings manufacturer this new system was applied with the quality of workmanship CCS clients expect from the largest field coatings company in British Columbia. “The quality exhibited on this project is one that will be a lasting legacy of CCS, safe/professional/quality workmanship” commented Byran Place (President).
Darren Ponte (CSO, Project Manager) said it best “as with every project of CCS, safety is of paramount importance and this project clearly illustrates that a project can be completed under a tight time frame with outstanding quality without compromising the safety of the workers or degradation of the environment”.
Consistent with CCS’s mission statement of “exceeding customers expectations” and upon completion of the final inspection by the Owner, consultant and inspection team, Alberta Transportation’s project consultant commented, “The sentiment expressed was how cooperative you (CCS), your field supervisor and crew members were and how the quality of the project is exceptional.”
Mission Accomplished.
Professionalism Pays Off!
July 21, 2010
Especially when it comes to hazardous materials abatement and coating application.
Certified Coating Specialists, an SSPC QP1 & QP2 certified contractor, has been awarded the Pakan Bridge Lead Abatement and Coating Rehabilitation for $2.4 mm.
For the third time in two years, BC based Certified has been awarded another lead abatement and rehabilitation contract in Alberta. This time it is the Alberta Ministry of Transportation that has selected Certified to remove the existing lead based coating and replace with a new coating system on the Pakan bridge approximately 85 KM north east of Sherwood Park and 10 KM south of Smokey Lake Ab.
Lead abatement requires the development and adherence to a detailed safe work plan focused on ensuring workers and the public are kept safe. The primary risk associated with lead in dry paint is the potential to inhale lead dust which can lead to very serious health concerns. Certified has been executing lead abatement projects for over 12 years and has developed a level of expertise second to none.
With Certified having completed the Finley Bridge in Medicine Hat last season and on the final leg of completing the Dawson Bridge in Edmonton, Certified has effectively established its self in the Alberta market place as an experienced, professional and qualified, large project lead abatement contractor. The Pakan bridge is scheduled to be completed in a 90 day period with Darren Ponte as project manager.
“Our people are certified in lead abatement and have the experience to tackle any abatement project.”
Certified Coating Specialists Awarded $2.2 mil Lead Abatement and Repaint Project in Edmonton Alberta
May 25, 2010
Certified Coating Specialists Inc. has been awarded the bridge lead abatement and repainting contract for the rehabilitation of the Dawson Bridge in Edmonton Alberta. General contractor USL Concreate opted to award a subcontract to Certified to manage and execute the removal of the existing lead based coating and recoat the structure as per the tender requirements of the City of Edmonton.
Mr. Randy Tilley, CCS project manager states the biggest challenge in repainting this bridge is the design and engineering required to gain access to scaffold and contain the work areas as the bridge was not designed for these types of additional loads. CCS is working closely with Concreate USL and SDF to execute the lead abatement and primer application prior to the structural reinforcement being executed by SDF. This method minimizes the risk of lead exposure to the associated trades. Tilley states further that every bridge presents its own challenges and he has no doubt that the construction team will develop a plan to address the challenges associated with this one.
Certified Coating Specialists Selected by BCIT for Hazardous Lead Abatement Project
May 20, 2010
CCS has been awarded the Lead Abatement, Coatings and Linings of thirteen tanks in their new Instrumentation lab. BCIT had issued a Request for Proposal to determine the requirements and correct methodology to reline 13 tanks to be used in the new lab. On inspection of the work site CCS suggested that a lead test should be done to ensure all contractors would know if a lead risk factor existed. BCIT executed the lead testing and found that the tanks were indeed lined and exterior painted with lead based coating materials. An added complexity was that the tanks have already been installed within the lab and the extensive mechanical work is well underway. CCS’s drafted a proposal that took all risks into account and offered a program that would control the risks while meeting the colleges goal of removing all the lead paint and re-coat the 13 tanks while protecting the facility, students and work force in the area.
States Kevin Leigh-Project Manager ” this operation will see the utilization of the extensive and comprehensive training that is a core fundamental of the CCS vision. CCS will assign to this job two trained SSPC C3 Certified Lead Abatement Supervisors to ensure compliance with lead abatement regulations and procedures. The deployment of one of our steel grit Recycler Abrasive Blast units will allow continuous retrieval of the media thus minimizing air born dust risk to all parties. Class 1A Containment will be utilized to contain the tanks and both Occupational and Ambient Air sampling will be used throughout as part of our diligence to Health and Safety”. CCS will work after hours to minimize the impact to the busy school environment, with upwards of 40 000 students coming and going from campus. “We expect challenges”, says Kevin Leigh, “but the training that all staff receive at CCS, effective management and clear communication with the Client will result in another successful project.
Bleach Tower of Pulp Mill Lined While Mill Remains in Operation
May 20, 2010
Certified Coating Specialists was selected by Zellstoff Celgar Pulp and Paper in Castlegar, BC to apply a Vinyl Ester Resin Liner inside the number 1 bleach tower while the mill’s Bleach Line remained in full operation following the annual maintenance shutdown. Celgar isolated the tower from other operations, installed scaffolding and Certified set up dust collection and warm dehumidified air ( 23% RH and 31°C) to create the ambient atmosphere required for the abrasive blasting and coating application to the internal structure.
Being as the isolation of the bleach tower while the mill continued to run had never been tried before, safety was of primary concern. Darren Ponte, CSO of CCS, worked hand-in-hand with Celgar Safety Resources to ensure everyone got through the project in a healthy and productive manner. This was a difficult project with many obstacles that both Celgar and CCS managed to overcome resulting in a successful and professionally executed project. Ponte stated that, ”a key to the success of the project was constant communication, between our crew members and the Celgar team, it was of critical importance.
Celgar representative Gord Matson commented that, “Complete safety planning and crew performance was excellent. Project planning, quality expectations and overall job completion was successful”.
Certified Coating Specialists Inc. Signs Union Labour agreement in Alberta
May 11, 2010
Over the last couple of years Certified Coating Specialists Inc. has successfully established a market presence in Alberta which has demanded an increase in access to man power in Alberta. To fill the need for additional man power and to support continued expansion in Alberta and western Canada as a whole Certified Coating Specialists Inc. has entered into a labour agreement with IBPAT Loc 177 for the Province of Alberta.
Certified Coating Specialists wraps up W.T. Finlay Bridge Rehabilitation
January 26, 2010
January 26, 2010, Vancouver, BC – Certified Coating Specialists Inc. has reached substantial completion of the rehabilitation construction project on the W.T. Finlay Bridge in the City of Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Certified was contracted by the City for the removal and replacement of the bridge deck, concrete sidewalk panels, and the guard and hand rails. A major component of the work in this project was the removal of all the old lead based paint. As a SSPC (Society of Protective Coatings) QP‐2 Lead Abatement Certified contractor, CCS was up to the challenge and delivered outstanding results. “The protection of people and the environment on a lead abatement project requires effective, knowledge based planning and controlled removal of the hazardous waste,” says Randy Tilley, CCS Operations Manager. “Our lead abatement program does just that. We have the trained and experienced staff, certification and equipment.” Tilley adds.
The 28 Day Dash: Coatings Crew Sprint to the Finish featured article in CoatingsPro Magazine
November 17, 2009
November 2009 Issue – There would be hurdles, of course, Cliff Harper was sure of that. As the CEO for Certified Coating Specialists, Inc. (CCS), he’d seen his fair share of them over the years. They’d run into hurdles, passed over them, and moved on to the next challenge. The question was: would their latest contract prove too tall to overcome?
The next challenge: a 68,000 square foot coatings job (6,417.2m2) to complete in only 28 days. They had to lead-abate and coat potash ship loaders for Neptune Bulk Terminals Canada Ltd. of North Vancouver, British Columbia. Their two man opponents – Read full story…
BC Based Industrial Painting Contractor Certified Coating Specialists achieves COR Certification in Alberta
November 12, 2009
November 12, 2009, Vancouver, BC – Certified Coating Specialists Inc., (CCS) an industrial painting contractor based in British Columbia, achieves The Certificate of Recognition (COR) for Safety, in Alberta. Certificates are issued by the Alberta Construction Safety Association.
The COR certification is issued to employers who develop and implement health and safety programs that meet established standards such as:
- Employer policy and management commitment
- Worker competency and training
- Hazard identification
- Hazard control measures
- Inspection programs
- Incident reporting and investigation
- Emergency response planning
- Program administration
CCS provides lead abatement and corrosion protection to the industrial and marine sectors in Western Canada promoting safe and healthy working conditions and attitudes within their company. CCS has already received the COR Certification from the Construction Safety Association of British Columbia.
“Workplace health and safety is paramount for us at CCS.” says Darren Ponte, CCS Resource Manager and CSO.
He adds, “Obtaining certification in both provinces will help solidify our commitment to our Safety policies for our staff and clients.”
Achieving and maintaining a valid COR is required for earning a financial incentive through the WCB Partnership in Injury Reduction program, where savings are passed onto clients.
Ponte says, “COR certification is fast becoming an expectation in the industry, and we’re very proud to have made this accomplishment in both BC and AB.”
Certified Coating Specialists Inc., (CCS) area of expertise is corrosion prevention and aesthetic enhancement of corporate assets through the rehabilitation of coating systems. Through the continual advancement, certification and accreditation within this area, CCS has emerged as the major player in lead abatement for any, and all, coating removal requirements. CCS is committed to providing the resources, education, training and daily reinforcement to empower everyone that CCS employs; to meet this goal of exceeding customer expectations.
The Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) is a non‐profit organization funded and directed by industry. The Association consists of construction industry volunteers supported by a team of professionals based out of offices in Edmonton, Calgary and in Fort McMurray. All the people involved with the ACSA, from the origin of the idea to the present, share a common vision: through cooperative efforts of all those involved, the construction environment in Alberta will be the safest anywhere.
