Environmental Management System Implementation

NGE assisted steel pipe manufacturing company with the development and implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS) compliant with the ISO14001 standard at facilities in Ohio and Texas.  As part of this project, NGE worked with facility personnel to complete EMS internal auditor training, develop formal EMS documentation, prepare written environmental work instructions and procedures, and prepare for senior management review.  Additionally, NGE completed a Cost-Benefit Analysis of the facilities' EMS and assisted facility personnel in identifying and complying with EMS objectives and targets, including minimization of waste.  As a result of NGE’s assistance, both facilities have attained ISO14001 certification and are working towards participation in the US EPA’s Performance Track program and certification to the OHSAS 18001 specification.

NGE also prepared a large chemical and oil terminal facility for ISO14001 certification in a total period of three months.  As part of this project, NGE staff led the completion of the environmental aspects and impacts study, developed all necessary formal Environmental Management System (EMS) documentation, and assisted with the Stage 1 and 2 registration audits.

Highway Bridge Designs

Due to deterioration of an existing WV Route 55 highway bridge, our client was hired by the West Virginia Department of Transportation to design a new replacement bridge at a different location. NGE was hired by the design firm to provide geotechnical engineering services for the project. NGE designed a test boring program for the bridge replacement that included about 2,000 ft. of new roadway and some retaining walls. NGE provided full time inspection during performance of the drilling program. Upon completion of the drilling, all of the samples were transported to our laboratory for detailed examination and testing. The results of the drilling and laboratory testing were used to formulate recommendations for cut and fill slope design, retaining wall design, and bridge foundation design.

Environmental Compliance Assistance

NGE has assisted an airline, at both Pittsburgh International and Charlotte Douglas International Airports, with various environmental compliance efforts including hazardous waste management and training, regulatory compliance audits, and waste minimization efforts.  NGE staff have conducted multiple hazardous waste (RCRA) training sessions for facility personnel, completed multi-media regulatory compliance audits, and assisted with a waste minimization plan for the facility.

NGE is currently under contract to facilities (multiple locations of both a major lithography company, a leading building product manufacturer, and domestic locations for a major steel company) to help manage environmental compliance activities such as permitting, recordkeeping, reporting, and advisement on reducing potential environmental problems.  To perform these functions, NGE works with facilities in conducting multimedia compliance audits, permit negotiations, and being at the facilities during compliance inspections.

Wastewater Diffuser Installation

NGE staff assisted a large international company located in West Virginia with the required construction of a wastewater effluent diffuser system. Responsibilities included the construction of the portion of the wastewater effluent line westward from the termination point of the previously installed steel 20” line. The entire effluent line westward of the termination point was constructed of swivel joint ductile iron pipe. The ductile iron portion of the line was installed underground through a  railroad right of way, beneath the bank of the Ohio River and into the river. The portion of the line beneath the railroad track was placed through a 30” steel casing installed using the jack and bore technique. 

Throughout the construction of the western portion of the system, a fulltime Site Manager supervised all fieldwork. This Site Manager was responsible for the overall management of all field activities. In order to coordinate field activities with other client field activities, weekly on-site progress meetings were held. At the conclusion of the construction of the western portion of the system, the design drawings for the western portion of the system were marked-up to reflect the as-built condition of the system.

Site Development

Our client desired to construct a new maintenance facility at a well known resort in West Virginia. NGE provided geotechnical engineering services to aid in design of the project. We performed eight test borings throughout the site to assess the subsurface conditions. The test borings were performed using our truck mounted rotary drilling rig. Standard penetration soil testing and sampling was performed at regular intervals in each test boring in accordance with ASTM D 1586 procedures. Upon completion of the drilling, soil and rock samples were delivered to our laboratory to detailed examination and testing. The results of the test borings and laboratory testing were used to formulate recommendations for site development and foundation design including recommended foundation type, depth, allowable bearing pressure and estimated settlement.

Groundwater Treatment System Management

NGE staff managed the design and installation of a ground water treatment system at a site in northwest Ohio. Management activities included regulatory negotiation, system installation, system start-up, and operation and maintenance (O&M) inspections. The treatment system was designed to extract trichloroethane (TCA) impacted ground water from two shallow recovery wells utilizing total fluid pneumatic pumps, provide treatment to meet regulatory limits, and discharge the treated effluent to the local POTW. The construction work included all site preparation work, extraction well installation and piping, building erection, and treatment equipment placement and installation. A shallow tray air stripper and granular activated carbon vessels were installed to remove the TCA from the system influent to meet the regulatory discharge limits. Start-up activities included the initial operation and troubleshooting of the treatment system equipment. Daily effluent water samples were collected for the first week of operation to document effluent water quality. 

Following start-up of the treatment system, weekly and monthly O&M inspections were conducted to monitor and record system operations (i.e., gallons treated, iron precipitation, tray scaling, etc.). A sample of the water effluent was collected and analyzed to determine effluent water concentrations. A semi-annual ground water monitoring program was established to monitor ground water quality and determine the effectiveness of the ground water treatment system throughout the duration of system operation. 

Oil Refinery Reporting and Compliance Assistance

NGE has performed the Total Annual Benzene (TAB) evaluation required under the Benzene waste NESHAP portion of the Clean Air Act for several reporting years at an oil refinery.  NGE worked with facility personnel to identify possible benzene waste streams, conducted sampling, and estimated a facility-wide benzene waste number.  The work was tabulated in extensive spreadsheets with well reinforced engineering assumptions which were provided to the client for review.

NGE also completed all environmental reporting for calendar year 2002 and assisted the facility in completing the reporting for 2003.  Environmental reporting completed included Tier II, emissions inventory, and Form R.  To complete this effort, NGE had staff on site for approximately one month working with facility personnel to gather necessary data for the reporting.  As part of the project, NGE developed extensive spreadsheets for future facility use to streamline and document the reporting information.

Currently under a general services agreement with the facility, NGE continues to provide assistance to the refinery in the areas of environmental management, air permit management, hazardous waste programs, MACT, and facility contingency plans.

Airport Preventive Maintenance Program

NGE staff worked as a Construction Inspector on the 2003 preventive maintenance program. This program consisted of several contracts as listed below.

The site lighting at the landside terminal consisted of replacement of site lighting poles as directed by the authority. The old poles were removed and new light poles were set at various locations.

The air curtain replacement was located at a drive-through area in concourse D. New hot water supply and return lines were constructed along side the existing lines.  Once the new units were installed the new hot water supply and return lines were connected into the new units and tested. Once the testing was completed, the existing units and lines were then removed and disposed of.

Painting of the precast concrete beams on the exterior of the building at the mezzanine and ticketing levels. Areas were cleaned and any cracks were tooled out and caulked prior to the primer, intermediate, and finish coats being applied. Daily monitoring of the weather was checked in order to keep within the requirements of the manufacturer.

Project closeout work consisted of final quantities for the pay estimate. Asbuilt drawings and project files were prepared for the project record documents.

Port Authority

NGE staff worked as Lead Inspector for the West Busway Project Park and Rides. Work on the Airways Park and Ride in Moon Township was a design- build project of a 1000 space Park and Ride with an 1100 LF bituminous roadway and 3000 LF of mainline busway for Port Authority bus access.

The Park and Ride, which is part of the West Busway system, was constructed in different phases.  Work on excavating and drainage combined as the site prep work.  After site prep work was completed, then utilities and sub-grade work was done. Sub-base was placed at 8‑inch compacted depths.  Once areas were complete, both concrete and bituminous paving operations were done.

NGE staff worked as a lead inspector for the Wabash HOV Ramp. The ramp connecting the tunnel to West Carson Street. A 160-space ADA-accessible parking lot was constructed once final subgrade was established and an 8-inch subbase was placed. The parking lot was finished with the placement of the bituminous parking lot. The project also included two new traffic signal locations and rehabilitation of one existing traffic signal. The project also included ITS controls for the operation of gates for inbound and outbound traffic and CCTV cameras for security and safety operations. The tunnel had a new CO/CO₂ system installed to monitor the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide levels at various locations inside the 3650 LF tunnel.  The tunnel is being monitored by the operations center location in the south portal building.

Risk Management Planning

Cut Slope Design

In order to facilitate construction of a new shopping complex, it was necessary to perform a significant excavation into an existing hillside with existing businesses situated at the top of the proposed excavation. NGE drilled two test borings to assess subsurface conditions in the area of the proposed cut slope. The results of the test borings were used to design the slope to ensure stability of the slope and the property located immediately above the slope.  Typical cross sections of the cut slope illustrating the slope configuration and benching details were provided to the client.

Waste Classification Project

NGE completed a large waste classification effort (approximately 2,500 products) for a large national company which maintains and operates numerous chemical manufacturing and distribution facilities around the country.  This project involved the gathering of extensive data for all chemicals classified by obtaining and evaluating various sources including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's), chemical handbooks, and other available data.  Based on chemical data, each product was classified for waste disposal purposes and entered into a corporate database for use company-wide. 

Storage Tank Management & Removal

The client acquired an adjacent property in preparation for facility expansion. Prior to acquisition, NGE staff identified two underground storage tanks (UST's) on-site. The client required the UST's to be removed prior to purchase. Following purchase all structures on the site were to be demolished.

 The UST's and associated contaminated soils were removed in accordance with PA DEP requirements. The tanks and soils were managed for disposal to the client’s approved disposal facilities. Following completion of the sale, an apartment building and mobile home located on the site were demolished. Ancillary activities included coordination of utility disconnects and closure of an on-site well and septic system. Following demolition, all demolition debris was loaded out to a landfill selected by the client. Site restoration activities included backfilling the apartment building foundation area and reseeding the site.

Site Characterization, Advising, and Remedial Design

NGE has entered into a one-year contract with the West Virginia Department of Transportation – Division of Highways (DOT – DOH) for the calendar year of 2004. The contract was awarded due to NGE’s qualifications in both geotechnical engineering and environmental consulting/construction. The primary phase of the contract consists of geotechnical engineering that includes investigations with soil and core borings and auger borings of landslides. In addition, NGE is required to stake boring locations, map landslides, test soil samples, and perform related analysis in order to prepare geotechnical reports.

The secondary phase of the contract consists of performing site investigations/characterizations to evaluate the vertical and horizontal extent of hydrocarbons and/or hazardous material within the subsurface soils and ground water. This is accomplished by performing subsurface drilling, monitoring well installation, soil and ground water sampling, and analytical testing of collected soil and ground water samples. Upon completion, NGE will provide recommendations for the appropriate remedial technology to meet the applicable West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) clean-up standard. NGE has the in house experience to complete the chosen remedial approach for each specific site.

NGE will manage the project from design through construction and start-up of the treatment system and if required can conduct the on going operation and maintenance (O&M) of the treatment system.

Large-Scale Tank Liner Installation

NGE staff installed a new liner system for the containment of six 850,000-gallon AST's at a large chemical manufacturer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The new liner system included subgrade preparation, the installation of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner, placement of cover material, and the preparation of as built drawings.

Following subgrade preparation, the sand-bedding layer was spread in a uniform layer across the base of the containment area and was compacted and graded. Following placement and compaction, sand surface achieved grades necessary for proper drainage to the inlets.

A 12-inch thick layer of final cover material was spread over the installed liner and geotextile. The lowermost 6 inches was a No. 11 aggregate, while the top layer consisted of a No. 2A aggregate.

Bridge Handrail Replacement

NGE staff worked as the Inspector-in-Charge for the replacement of the existing handrail on the 6^th, 7^th, and 9^th street bridges. Responsibilities included coordination of field activities with the general contractor and supervision of the office and inspection staff for the project operations. Project closeout work consisted of final quantities for the pay estimate. Asbuilt drawings and project files were prepared for the project record documents.

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

NGE staff have worked as Lead Inspector for sections 50C, 50N, & 50S of the Mon/Fayette Expressway Toll Road 43. Section 50C consisted of a new post-tension pre-cast culvert and eight bridge structures. The pre-cast culvert was built at an existing stream level after the stream was diverted around the work area. Section 50N consisted of the toll facility for the 6-mile toll road. This section consisted of four contracts: general, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. Duties were as a lead inspector of each contract, monitoring daily activities with each contractor and assigning inspectors for each operation being done.

Section 50S was the signage contract which consisted of all mainline and lead-in signs for the entire six miles of mainline roadway. Duties consisted of monitoring the daily activities of the permanent sign types A, B, E, and F and documentation of work and quantities for payments.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

NGE staff worked as TCIS for the PO1 and PO2 projects for PennDot District 12. Both projects were on SR21 Greene County and consisted of demolition and construction of new structures. PO1 was a new 76 LF single-span structure replacing an existing dual-span bridge over a creek. PO2 work consisted of twin post-tension pre‑cast concrete box culverts. A temporary roadway had to be constructed in order to accommodate motorists around the site.

NGE staff worked as Transportation Construction Inspection Supervisor for the LO4 project on SR79 in Lawrence County. Work consisted of replacement of concrete roadway at various locations as directed by the District 11-0 manager. Responsibilities included coordination of field activities with the general contractor and supervision of the office and inspection staff for the project operations.

Municipal Engineering

NGE staff have worked as a municipal construction inspector for various municipalities. Work consisted of monitoring for compliance of site developments, roadway new and rehabilitation, sewer both sanitary and storm water new and rehabilitation, flood control and storm water management projects. NGE staff also reported to the municipal engineer and the municipal council on the various projects.