Protecting Workers From Asbestos Exposure in British Columbia
Asbestos has been a leading cause of deaths in the workplace in British Columbia for many years. However, on New Year’s Day 2021, the province welcomed a new set of regulations that aim to protect workers from asbestos exposure and related illnesses.
What are the New WorkSafeBC Rules?
The newly introduced set of rules requires any workers undertaking asbestos abatement related to buildings to receive special training. This includes properly identifying, cleaning up or containing asbestos in the workplace. Additionally, building owners should only hire certified and licensed companies for asbestos removal.
What is Asbestos and How is it Related to Workplace Deaths?
Asbestos is a fine fibrous material which is commonly used in buildings as insulation, roofing, tiles, and other types of construction material. When these materials are disturbed, they release particles into the air which can lead to a variety of cancers when inhaled by workers.
In 2018, asbestos was officially banned in all products in Canada. Even though the use of asbestos has decreased since the 90s, it is still responsible for one-third of the occupational deaths in British Columbia.
What Does the New Training Entail?
The certification and training courses help workers learn how to protect themselves and others from inhaling asbestos in the workplace. Furthermore, any employers operating in this field are now legally required to be licensed by WorkSafeBC and their workers must be certified.
These new regulations help make competition more fair in the asbestos abatement industry by stopping workers from cutting corners and providing a cheaper service. In order to get certified, employees need to complete a training program including a practical exam – usually incurring a fee of around $2,000.
How Can Workers Be Protected From Asbestos Damage?
The new rules help protect employees working with asbestos materials from suffering deadly diseases in the future. However, managing director of ACE Environmental Services, Ash Kalia, still believes that it can be difficult to convey the seriousness of asbestos exposure. Most symptoms only appear 10-20 years after being exposed to asbestos, meaning people may not realize the damage they are doing at the time.
Overall, Kalia recognizes that controlling and eliminating any source of asbestos exposure is the most important factor in protecting workers. As of early January 2021, more than 2,000 workers have been trained in the new regulations.
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