LOS ANGELES—Douglas Lawson has joinedPartner Engineering and Science as the technicaldirector of industrial hygiene. In his new role, Lawson will leadthe program's departments, such as health and safety compliance,hazardous materials management and industrial hygiene consulting,and he will expand and grow the firm's industrial hygienepractice.

The 40-year industry veteran brings regulatory, industrial andconsulting experience to Partner's industrial hygiene practice.Prior to joining the firm, Lawson worked at the multinationalengineering, construction and technical services firm URSCorp. In his lofty career he has helped to developindustrial hygiene programs for the Occupational Safety andHealth Administration and has worked with more than 2,000US Postal Service offices and 1,700 military basehousing facilities to reduce the risk of asbestos, lead paint andmold and to improve air quality.

Lawson will be able to leverage this extensive experience ingrowing Partner's health and safety practice. The uptick inrenovation projects in particular has led to an increase in healthand safety issues, like risks of asbestos, lead paint and mold, asmentioned above. Hygiene reports will help owners discover theseissues early on and ensure the health of tenants and workers.According to Joseph Derhake, president of Partner,real estate owners expect due diligence firms to solve the problemsunearthed during inspections. The addition of Lawson as well as theexpansion of the hygiene practice will help Partner provide thoseservices to its clients. Doug Lawson did not respond to our requestfor comment prior to the publication of this story.