Asbestos growing concern for WorkSafe and contractors
Posted November 19, 2015 11:02 pm.
Last Updated November 19, 2015 11:05 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – As Metro Vancouver’s homes age, more of them are being demolished, leaving questions about how to dispose of the toxic waste they may contain.
In some cases, local contractors have had a difficult time getting rid of drywall from demolition sites, because of concerns it may contain asbestos.
One local recycling company was recently barred by WorkSafe BC from accepting any drywall until its handling procedures ensured that employees were not exposed to asbestos.
That left some contractors with stacks of drywall, wondering what to do with it.
Philip Hochstein with the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C. says concerns about asbestos are having a ripple effect through the industry.
“Once you close down one transfer station, the other transfer stations get busier. Once they find out what happened to the first transfer station, they get concerned about their handling practices.”
He’s optimistic better procedures are being developed, to avoid the closure of the recycling depots contractors heavily rely on.
“I think WorkSafe BC is in the process setting up consultation with the industry and recycling stations, to figure out a way to handle this, so no transfer station is shut down and asbestos is handled appropriately.”
WorkSafe BC tells NEWS 1130 Radio recycling companies, like demolition and renovation contractors, must ensure that their workers are not exposed to hazardous materials.
Asbestos is a carcinogen. WorkSafe says 77 workers died from asbestos exposure last year, even though asbestos was banned in Canada back in 1990.
Meanwhile, the number of demolitions in Vancouver is on the upswing. The number of demolition permits issued this year hasn’t been this high since the mid-2000s.
