Bersch Consulting Ltd., formerly named Bersch & Associates Ltd., is an Environmental Consulting firm founded by Wes Berschiminsky in 1992. Wes Berschiminsky and Brad Berschiminsky are the sole stakeholders of the company which has been providing service in the Province of Saskatchewan for over 25 years. We have been retained by Federal and Provincial Governments, School Divisions, Universities, Health Regions, Commercial and Industrial groups, Architectural/Engineering firms, Private Sector and Residential Property Owners. Bersch Consulting Ltd. is the recognized leader in the Hazardous Materials Consulting profession in the Province of Saskatchewan, offering innovative approaches and commitment to technical excellence in the management Hazardous Materials. Our company prides itself in providing top quality consulting, management, and laboratory services with the property owner/occupants being our number one priority. Bersch Consulting Ltd. offers a qualified team dedicated to providing our clients with the most comprehensive, cost-effective and practical solutions towards the management of hazardous materials in buildings. Bersch Consulting Ltd. has created and maintains a reputation of integrity within the industry, which has resulted in company growth and a high retention rate of clients. Wes Berschiminsky provides overall administration duties and training seminars on behalf of Bersch. Bersch Consulting Ltd.’s head office is in Saskatoon, SK with Brad Berschiminsky as Manager of the Saskatoon Region and Lindsay MacAuley as Office Manager. In addition, Tyneal Knackstedt, Dustin Matkowski, and Blake Berschiminsky provide services out of the Saskatoon office. The second office located in Regina, SK is managed by Darcy Meyer and Sophia He with overall administration provided by Wes Berschiminsky. Bersch Consulting Ltd.’s third office is a satellite office located in Humboldt, SK, where Wes Berschiminsky resides and provides field services within the East Central Saskatchewan Region. Currently, Bersch Consulting Ltd. has eight (8) team members amongst the three offices. Bersch Consulting Ltd. office addresses are as follows:
Bersch Consulting Ltd. provides surveys/audits, training seminars, project specifications, site supervision, and laboratory services pertaining to Hazardous Materials
A summary of Bersch Consulting Ltd. services is as follows:
a. Hazardous Materials Surveys
Bersch Consulting Ltd. conducts surveys of all accessible areas including (including crawlspaces, pipe chases, etc.) within the facility to assess and identify any Asbestos-Containing Material (ACM), PCBs, Lead, Mold, Silica (upon request), and Mercury.
b. Laboratory Services
Bersch Consulting Ltd. is equipped, trained, and competent for the bulk sample analysis of suspect ACM in accordance with the USEPA 600/R-93/116 Method for determination of asbestos in building materials using PLM (Polarized Light Microscopy) and dispersion staining techniques. The detection limit of this method is <1% asbestos content. Having a local lab provides our clients with the service of rush sample analysis of less than 6 hour in the event of an emergency. Otherwise, our regular turnaround time is 48 hours. When required, Bersch Consulting Ltd. also uses the services of a NVLAP accredited laboratory to confirm analytical results for clients requiring NVLAP accreditation. We have maintained a strong working relationship with a NVLAP accredited laboratory for over 20 years. They are one of the highest rated labs in the USA and have always provided exceptional service.
In addition, Bersch Consulting Ltd. provides air monitoring as per the NIOSH 7400 Method of air sample analysis, which is the acceptable standard in the Province of Saskatchewan. Three complete sets of laboratory equipment including Phase Contrast Microscope and Acetone Vaporizer are available at the offices of Bersch Consulting Ltd. Brad Berschiminsky has received certification in Sampling and Evaluating Airborne Asbestos Dust – NIOSH 582 Course. This course provides the attendees with the knowledge and skills required to perform the NIOSH 7400 Method of analysis.
For laboratory analysis of building materials with respect to Mold, Lead, and PCBs, samples will be forwarded to a NVLAP accredited laboratory. Bersch Consulting Ltd. implements the Air-O-Cell cassette method of air sampling to determine airborne mold spore levels and the culturable method following an incubation period for bulk fungi analysis. For PCB identification in light ballasts, the PCB identifier code is used. In the event of a requirement for PCBs in paint a physical sample is collected and forwarded to a NVLAP accredited laboratory for analysis.
c. Project Specification, Site Supervision, & Hazard Monitoring
Bersch Consulting Ltd. provides written technical specifications for Asbestos, Mold, Lead, and PCB abatement projects. On-site inspections and air monitoring provide quality control for the client to ensure work procedures and equipment implemented during remediation processes are in accordance with Occupational Health & Safety Regulations and industry specific standards. Upon completion of remediation activity, Bersch Consulting Ltd. conducts visual inspection and air monitoring to certify that the area is suitable for occupancy by staff and patrons of the facility.
d. Training
Bersch Consulting Ltd. is committed to provide training and education of the highest caliber which is tailored to meet the specific needs of the client. Bersch Consulting Ltd. works with the client to develop, implement, and maintain a program that meets both the regulatory requirements and the needs of the site. Bersch Consulting Ltd. is well recognized for their abilities to develop and deliver practical and effective training programs with each presentation making use of a variety of visual aids and experiences from actual work sites and situations. Wes Berschiminsky conducts most of the training seminars. Courses can be conducted at any location to accommodate the client. Education and training services include:
Providing Awareness & Process Training with regards to Asbestos, Mold, & Lead.
Instruction to those persons responsible in all phases of hazardous control.
Operations and maintenance training for persons involved in low risk/level remediation activities.
Development of detailed, yet practical procedures to be followed when hazardous work is carried out.
Periodic inspection and re-assessment of hazardous materials.
Develop site-specific written procedures.
e. Indoor Air Quality
In addition to Asbestos, Lead, & Mold, Bersch also provides inspections and analytical services pertaining to Total Particulate, Allergens, VOC’s, Radon, Formaldehyde, Carbon Dioxide, and Carbon Monoxide (to name a few) to address concerns within the indoor environment. Bersch Consulting Ltd. has access to the sampling equipment necessary to assess any monitoring for all the contaminants listed above (i.e. Air, Swab, and Bulk Samples). Following inspection/testing, we will provide recommendations to address any concerns identified as well as corrective measures necessary to address those concerns. Along with our current accreditations, the company is engaged in training for certification through American Council for Accredited Certification for the designation of “Council Certified Microbial Investigator (CMI)”.