Clandestine Laboratory
or Operation Information

Grow House and Meth Lab Information

The Electrical Safety Authority’s Health and Safety Requirement for Personnel to Enter a Facility that has been used for a Clandestine Laboratory or Operation

The building owner, or his/her agent, is responsible to ensure the health and safety of Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) personnel while he/she is in a building that has been used for a clandestine laboratory or operation.

Prior to the property owner, or his/her agent, filing an Application for Inspection with ESA, the property owner must employ the services of a Certified Industrial Hygienist, or a Registered Occupational Hygienist or Professional Engineer with a Masters in Occupational Hygiene to conduct Biological, Chemical and Mold testing and submit to the ESA a declaration that the building is a) fit for occupancy, b) free from biological and chemical hazard(s), and c) structurally sound.

The declaration must be provided directly to ESA by a third party, not the party performing the remedial work. The declaration must be accompanied by a supporting document providing the following information:

• The standards or test method used for comparison (ie. ACGIH TLV’s, Health Canada guidelines, etc. for chemical hazards, Analysis Method and Number for Mold Test)
• The name and credentials of the person performing the sampling
• The name and credentials of the laboratory performing the analysis and the name and credentials of the analyst
• The method of sampling and analysis including description of sampling equipment, description of conditions under which sampling was undertaken, number of blanks (if required), analytical error, and findings
• Quality control measures (calibration, chain of custody)
• Conclusion of the tests and Recommendations
• Declaration signed by either a Professional Engineer with a Masters in Occupational Hygiene, a Certified Industrial Hygienist, or a Registered Occupational Hygienist, stating that the building is fit for occupancy and is free from biological and chemical hazards.

Further, when the facility has been structurally altered, a signed statement from a Professional Engineer, complete with his/her engineering stamp declaring the building is safe to enter, is required.

The Biological, Chemical and Mold Testing Report, ESA Cover Sheet, ESA Requirements Checklist and Structural Report (if required) may be submitted by:
E-mail: esa.cambridge@electricalsafety.on.ca
Fax: 1-800-667-4278
Mail: ESA, PO Box 24143, Pinebush Postal Outlet, Cambridge ON N1R 8E6

Grow House Report Cover Sheet

ESA Requirements for Inspection of a Site for Reconnection After a Grow House or Meth Lab Operation

Following are links to Professional Listings of persons or agencies that may conduct the required testing in compliance with ESA’s Health and Safety requirements. It is the responsibility of the facility owner to confirm that ESA requirements can be met prior to engaging the services of a person or agency.

CRBOH - Canadian Registration Board Occupational Hygienists

Directory of Consultants in Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety - 2007

Public Database Search for Persons Certified for the Practice of Industrial Hygiene by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene