Southwest Hazard Control

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Southwest HAZARD CONTROL, Inc. (SHC) is a financially sound, growth-oriented environmental remediation company. Our staff applies innovative procedures to solve environmental problems for our customers. Our employees strive to be the best at solving environmental issues in a safe and effective manner. Our goal is to do the job right the first time, on time and within budget. We treat our customers as the reason for the existence of SHC. We also actively promote sound environmental practices within the community by participation in a variety of business and professional organizations.
SHC was founded in 1982 by Gerald J. Karches and his daughter, Chrisann Karches. Mr. Karches retired in 1999 and the company is now solely managed by Chrisann Karches making SHC a woman owned enterprise. It is the oldest, continuously operating asbestos abatement company in Arizona. SHC established itself as a hazardous materials remediation company in 1985 and began lead abatement services in 1991. The full range of environmental contracting services offered by Southwest HAZARD CONTROL, INC. includes:

Hazardous Materials Remediation
Underground Storage Tank Removal and PCS Remediation

HazMat Emergency Response
Microbiological (bacteria, mold & fungi) Remediation
Asbestos & Lead Encasement

SHC services the entire Southwest and California with appropriate licenses in Arizona, New Mexico, California, Nevada, Colorado and Utah. The company's corporate office is in Tucson, Arizona with branch offices established in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1987, San Francisco, California in 1992 and Phoenix, Arizona in 1995.
SHC has successfully completed over 15,000 individual remediation projects in a wide variety of facility types including, governmental buildings, schools and colleges, mines and mills, power plants, industrial and commercial facilities, hospitals and individual residences.
SHC employs a highly trained and experienced work force. Many of our employees are cross-trained in a variety of remediation techniques.

SHC is a contractor in good standing, and holds the following licenses:

Asbestos Abatement, Hazardous Waste remediation, & Lead Abatement (Commercial)

Asbestos Abatement, Hazardous Waste remediation, & Lead Abatement (Residential)

We have A-11 Best-rated general liability coverage in true occurrence form, and can provide coverage up to $20 million aggregate coverage. We also supply:
v $2 million general liability insurance on a claims made basis
v $1 million pollution and professional liability policy on a claims made basis
v $1 million workers compensation policy

We have Treasury-listed bonding and can bond contracts in the $1,000,000-$5,000,000 range. Larger contracts will be bonded on a case-by-case basis.
Financial Rating & Credit Worthiness

SHC is a certified Minority/Woman Owned Business Enterprise.
Past work history
SHC has an excellent history of job performance. None of our contracts have been terminated for default and there has never been any litigation with our customers for breach of contract or defective workmanship. We have had no significant liability insurance claims during the life of this company.

SHC employs a safety coordinator with the responsibility to implement and oversee safety training and compliance. Our "E-Mod" rate is currently