Since 1994, OHC performed numerous projects for the Tampa VA Hospital, James A. Haley V.A. Medical Center, working directly for the owner, or through their consultant.  OHC has performed many aspects of environmental consulting including; environmental compliance audits, SPCC plans, UST assessments, indoor air quality studies, and asbestos consulting.

Environmental Compliance Audit

OHC was awarded a task order to perform a complete environmental audit of the Main Hospital complex, the Research Center, the Nursing Home Complex, as well as, the outpatient clinics located in Orlando, Pasco and Brevard.  This audit included all facility practices used by the hospital including  researching the VA recommended Environmental Audit Guidance along with the guidance provided by the International 14001 Standard. During the audit OHC will survey the facility, develop detailed drawings of the facility, develop a hazardous material balance for the V.A. operations,  interview personnel, and research facility and regulatory agency files.  OHC will evaluate compliance with all laws and rules per the accepted environmental compliance audit guidelines of the VA Guidelines and the ISO 14001 Standard.  OHC will then write the audit report. The audit includeD the following steps:

·           Research and develop an applicable checklist for the hospital

·           Interview clinic staff to answer a 10-page questionnaire on hospital operations.  This is our pre-visit questionnaire.

·           Develop a specific checklist for the clinics.

·           Visit the clinic to survey the following program areas:

o          Ambient Air Quality Standards

o          New Source Performance Standards

o          Construction and Operating Permits

o          Fossil Fuel Fired units

o          Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels

o          Equipment Leaks

o          Hazardous and Toxic Air Pollutants to include ETO

o          Prevention of Significant Deterioration

o          Effluent Guidelines

o          NPDES Permits or Discharge Arrangements with the County

o          Wastewater monitoring, record keeping and reporting

o          Pretreatment Standards for Dischargers into POTWs

o          SPCC Plans

o          Safe Drinking Water Act Standards and Precautions

o          TDS Facility Requirements

o          USTs Assessment

o          Waste Generation and Classification

o          Pretransport Requirements

o          Toxic Substances Control

o          PCB and CFC Standards

o          Product Assessment

o          Chemical Testing

o          Hazard Communications (MSDS)

o          Right-To-Know

o          Emergency Preparedness and Response Requirements.

SPCC Compliance Plan

OHC will prepare a SPCC Plan for the Orlando Out Patient Clinic. This plan will include a complete historical research, record reviews with the hospital and applicable regulatory agencies, survey all tanks, above ground and underground, develop schematics and drawings for all tanks.  Local contacts for emergency responses will be identified. 

The SPCC Plan shall include the following sections:

·           Plan Certification by Florida Professional Engineer

·           Oil Spill History

·           Spill Potential Analysis

·           Containment and Diversionary Structures

·           Oil Spill Contingency Plan

·           Facility Drainage

·           Bulk Storage Tanks, Transformers and Regulators

·           Facility Transfer Operations, Pumping and in-Hospital Processes

·           Facility Tank Truck Loading and Unloading Areas

·           Inspections and Records

·           Security

·           Personnel, Training and Spill Prevention Procedures

·           Pollution Prevention and Response Appendices:

A.        Incident Reporting and Spill Forms

B.        Emergency Contacts and Response Team

C.        Map

D.        Site Drawings

E.         Site Drainage and Stormwater Runoff Plan

F.         Above ground Storage Tank (AST) and Containment Areas

G.        Fuel Oil Piping Diagrams

H.        Tank Inspection Forms

I.           Transformers and Regulators

Indoor air Quality Investigation

OHC conducted several Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessments through the hospital in response to employee complaints. Personnel interviews were performed and complete IAQ studies conducted to identify sources of chemical and biological agent contamination. 

OHC was recently tasked to assess the Histology lab for biological contamination due to a major water leak on the second floor releasing thousand of gallons of water. The assessment indicated that there was severe water damage throughout the lab. The Histology lab is a very sensitive area that must contain a very clean environment free of any biological growth to prevent sample contamination. It was not feasible to relocate the lab during the remediation clean-up due to the complex set-up of equipment and MIS system integration. It was extremely important because the lab is operational on a 24/7 basis.

OHC proceeded to develop a plan that took into account that the lab must remain fully operational throughout the remediation activity.  An innovative tunneling system was developed to access each workstation within the lab. OHC explained the process and procedures that will be used during the clean–up process to the lab technicians to relieve their concerns. OHC conducted the project oversight and clearance upon completion of the remediation activities. Although the project was very complex OHC was able to manage all activities and coordination with hospital staff in a seamless and efficient manner. The hospital staff were delighted with the level of integrity and professionalism of the OHC staff.

Asbestos Consulting Services

 OHC is responsible for the complete abatement management and supervision of ACM.  OHC is one of a few consultants that is completely entrusted by the VA staff based on years of performance, consistency and dependability. Our registered architect and certified industrial hygienist visited the site to design the specification and prepare the associated CADD drawings.  OHC then proceeded with contract administration to select a contractor for the removal of hazardous materials.  All appropriate hospital staff attended pre-bid and pre-construction meetings. OHC reviewed and approved all the submittals from the contractor and supervised and monitored all aspects of the project.  OHC’s CIH inspected the enclosure prior to abatement and at the completion of abatement for visual clearance.

The VA hospital is one of the most sensitive environments to abate asbestos. There is absolutely no margin for error. Over the past seven years, OHC has always been successful in designing the projects in the safest way possible and conducting the best visual inspection for clearance purposes.  In addition to following Federal standards, OHC followed specific VA rules and guidelines layed out in the statement of work.

Training

OHC has also provided training to the VA staff.  This consisted of the 16-hour operations and management for OSHA compliance as well as the four and five-day asbestos worker and supervisor training respectively.

back to main page