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.”

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.

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.

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 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.

“Work place safety is paramount to our team which is why we are BC & Alberta COR certified.” says Larry Dirk, NCSO (National Construction Safety Officer), Certifieds’ Site Safety Supervisor. Dirk is also a resident of Medicine Hat and adds, “…we completed this very special project without incident…and we can all be proud to have played a role…”

On January 15th, 2010 the City of Medicine Hat held a Grand Opening of the bridge and was broadcasted for the city to experience on ‘MY96FM’, a local Medicine Hat radio station. Fred Scherer, resident of Medicine Hat and owner of a neighboring apartment building, watched the progression and completion of the rehabilitation from start to finish, “I’m very impressed with the work performed by the Certified staff…they did a great job!”

The Finlay Bridge is now more than 100 years old, and with the investment made by the city on this project this heritage asset will continue to meet the demands of vehicular and pedestrian traffic for many years to come. “At the City of Medicine Hat we are pleased with Certified Coating Specialists Inc. commitment to quality, safety and professionalism. The City is grateful that in spite of complexities associated with rehabilitation of the 101 year old Finlay Bridge, inclement weather and project scope changes a quality product was delivered.” says Bruce Thurber, P. Eng, City of Medicine Hat. Thurber continues, “Certified Coating Specialists Inc. has done a first‐class job for the City of Medicine Hat.”

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 a major player in lead abatement for all coating removal requirements. CCS is committed to providing the resources, education, training and daily reinforcement to empower everyone CCS employs to meet the goal of exceeding customer expectations. www.ccscoatings.ca