New Workplace Asbestos Guidelines

The Canadian government, gearing up for its planned asbestos ban by 2018, enforced some changes to the Canadian Labour Code. Specifically, it involved the occupational health and safety regulations governing the handling of asbestos.

Changes
On July 12, 2017, new amendments were added to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and national building codes were also amended, to prohibit the use of asbestos in any new construction or renovation projects. The feds even formalized their support for listing chrysotile asbestos — which previous Canadian governments long championed — on the Rotterdam Convention as a hazardous material.

That’s quite a big step forward, and one that was a long time in coming. Some of the specific changes:

• The onus is on employers to provide adequate education, training, and a full blown asbestos exposure management program anytime employees handle the substance, or engage in some kind of activity, such as repairs, that may bring them into contact with asbestos.
• Standards will be consistent across the provinces and territories when it comes to levels of friable or airborne asbestos fibres.
• The goal is lower the risk of asbestos exposure on the job as close to zero as possible.

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, is quoted in a media release. “Every employee has the right to a safe workplace. I’m proud to be announcing these long overdue regulatory changes on asbestos, a key element of our government’s comprehensive ban on asbestos.”

Asbestos in your Home?
At one time, asbestos was considered a miracle mineral. If your home was built before the mid-1980s, you may be able to find asbestos or asbestos containing material in virtually any part of your home from ceiling to floor tiles, wall panels to pipe insulation.

If you believe your home contains asbestos, we can help. You can trust the experienced asbestos removal experts and asbestos remediation experts at Green Stream Environmental to take care of your asbestos issues. In the Toronto area contact Environmental at (416) 818-9414. Contact us for a quote today.

Featured in Mike Holmes’ magazine, HGTV’s Income Properties, W Network’s Love It Or List It and chosen by Homestars.com as “Best Toronto Asbestos Removal Company” based on customer ratings and reviews, GreenStream Environmental Services are fully-certified, trusted and insured professionals in the removal and disposal of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential asbestos, vermiculite and mould (hazardous and non-hazardous). Providing emergency service 24/7/365 for all of Toronto and the GTA (North York, Mississauga, Markham, Brampton, Scarborough, Ajax, Oshawa, and beyond) GreenStream has over 40 combined years of experience serving clients such as the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and many more. For a free estimate in Toronto, the GTA and Southern Ontario, call today at 416-818-9414. You’ll be glad you did.