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

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…

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.

CCS has over 15 years of experience providing blasting, painting and lead abatement in the industrial and marine sectors in Western Canada. In their commitment to reducing the negative environmental impacts of surface preparation and waste management they plan to use their environmentally friendly ARS Advanced Recycling equipment on the Quinsam, enabling their crew to abrasively blast with steel grit to remove existing coatings and will recycle and reuse the steel grit over and over. This method within a completely contained work area reduces the amount of waste blast media traditionally needed to prepare a surface by as much as 90%.

The MV Quinsam began its services in 1982 for the Ministry of Transportation and Highways and continues the same route for BC Ferries today. Named after the Quinsam River located west of Campbell River on Vancouver Island, the MV Quinsam makes 16 daily round trips between Nanaimo harbour and Descanso Bay on Gabriola Island.

This will be the second time CCS has worked on the Quinsam. Last year, they performed lead abatement of the voids, bulkheads, deck heads and sponsons interior of voids, providing the necessary complete containment, blasting and abatement services as required.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to work on the Quinsam again,” says Randy Tilley, CCS Operations Manager.

He continues, “Having successfully worked on this vessel before, we are confident that we will complete the scope of work effectively and on time.”

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.

British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. operates as an independent, regulated, self-financing company providing passenger and vehicle ferry service to 46 ports of call throughout coastal British Columbia.

“The industries we work in require that contractors like ourselves are able to offer a safe work environment,” says Darren Ponte, CCS Resource Manger and CSO. “…being subscribed to ISNetworld is an added assurance that we have provided the necessary safety, procurement, and compliance data required by each owner/client.”

Through its innovative data-systems, superior customer service, and global reach, ISNetworld fosters safer work environments, stronger partnerships, and a healthier bottom-line. By enabling these decision makers to find the resources that best fit their needs, they spend less time performing due diligence on the wrong resources and more time on finding the right fit.

Ponte adds, “We are confident that being subscribed to ISNetworld will enable CCS to communicate our expertise and safety history to our clients easily and quickly.”

About Certified Coating Specialists Inc.
Certified Coating Specialists (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.

About ISNetworld
ISNetworld is a global resource for connecting corporations with safe, reliable vendors from capital-intensive industries. ISN collects self-reported conformance information from vendors, verifies its accuracy, and then reports the results in an easy-to-follow format. This allows corporations to select those resources that best meet internal and governmental requirements, while providing vendors and suppliers the opportunity to centralize their conformance information, saving time and gaining presence in the marketplace.

The Certification, developed in cooperation with WorkSafe BC, is an initiative that recognizes employers who go beyond the legal requirements of the Workers Compensation Act, and the occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Companies are approved by the CSABC based on their natural affiliation with construction and concern for safety in the industry.

“We are excited to add Certified Coating Specialists to the growing list of COR certified companies across BC. They have demonstrated their commitment to providing a safer and healthier work environment for their employees and we are proud to recognize them for this.” Cathy Lange, CSABC Executive Director.

CCS provides lead abatement and corrosion protection to the industrial and marine industries promoting safe and healthy working conditions and attitudes within the company. Having earned this type of certification reinforces the ongoing commitment of staff to each other and their clients in maintaining adequate equipment, work procedures, and proper training and education of all CCS employees. A commitment CCS has long been known for.

“We’re very proud to have earned this certification,” said Byran Place, CCS President. “It recognizes the ‘safety culture’ we’ve instilled in our workforce – and the best practices safety standards that our workers employ in all the work we do. The COR Certificate also qualifies Certified Coating Specialists for a 10% reimbursement of our 2009 base WorkSafe assessment, which is an added bonus that can be passed onto our clients in savings.”

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 the goal of exceeding customer expectations.