By 2018 Canada will ban the use of asbestos. A news release, Dec. 15, 2016, from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, outlined the new measures to eliminate asbestos:
- New regulations to ban the manufacture, use, import and export of asbestos under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
- New workplace health and safety rules to limit the risk of on-the-job asbestos exposure
- Changes to national and provincial building codes pertaining to new construction and renovation products
- Increase awareness of the health hazards posed by asbestos
The Canadian government also plans to expand the current list of asbestos-containing buildings it owns or leases. Throughout the twentieth century, asbestos has been used in various capacities in government buildings throughout North America. Applications have included such things as flooring, fire retardant boards and piping. In early 2016 Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) conducted a comprehensive review of its new construction and rehabilitation projects along with the feasibility of using non-asbestos building materials. In April 2016, the PSPC determined alternate materials were available and prohibited the use of asbestos in its new construction and renovation projects.
As Canada’s leading asbestos removal and decontamination companies, ERVIRO-VAC supports the Canadian government’s asbestos ban, and the related measures to limit risks associated with on-the-job exposure. Major asbestos removal from government buildings and facilities will be a major challenge over the upcoming years. Abatement and decontamination in any context, from industrial to residential, involves understanding and navigating through complex environmental regulations and compliance issues, as well as the capacity to manage the human and technical resources necessary to safely complete each project. From risk assessment and planning, to execution and disposal, ENVIRO-VAC has over its 40-year history worked with all levels of government and industry in Canada to safely remove and decontaminate hazardous materials.
