Asbestos Regulations in Commercial Renovation and Demolition

Commercial building renovation and demolition projects are complex undertakings that require meticulous planning, and design phases as well as aligning schedule and budget objectives. If you add the complexity of asbestos removal or abatement to a commercial project, then the project becomes even more difficult and time consuming. In today’s blog article, we would like to talk about navigating asbestos regulations in commercial renovation and demolition—our area of expertise—in general terms. 

OH&S legislation across Canada gives employers and work site owners duties and responsibilities for their own directly hired workers as well as for the workers of other contractors and that includes asbestos waste disposal. Additionally, owners of a building or facility are responsible for ensuring that asbestos is properly and safely managed from the time it is identified through to its final disposal following abatement. The law is referred to as "cradle-to-grave".

It is important to understand that asbestos surveys and testing may be required even before you disturbe any building materials that could contain asbestos. Also, it's important to know that asbestos can be found in over 3,000 building products. So, any buildings more than 30 years old may contain asbestos that will need to be addressed during a renovation or demolition.

Asbestos Regulations Are Stringent and Ever Changing 

The regulations change regularly, and only licenced professionals with the appropriate training are allowed anywhere near asbestos. There are a host of new rules as of January 1 of 2024. So, the lesson to learn here is to use experienced professionals because dealing with asbestos is not easy, and it is also dangerous work. The other thing to know about asbestos regulations in British Columbia in commercial renovation or demolition is that these regulations are complicated. The regulations outline who can test, when tests need to be done, how they are to be done, who can remove asbestos, how it is to be removed and how asbestos is to be transported for disposition or disposal. And, also, where the asbestos that has been removed has to go. 

For a safe, cost-effective way to address asbestos before and during a commercial renovation or demolition, or if you are in the preliminary stages of planning a decommissioning or abatement project call us to discuss how we can help. We recognize the value in early project participation and are available to assist our clients in developing comprehensive decontamination strategies, programs and budgets that will provide the highest guarantee of success for each project.

Enviro-Vac have the resources and infrastructure in place to provide safe, efficient and sensible solutions to any hazardous materials abatement project. Our national reach and many long-standing strategic partnerships provide our clients a range of complimentary services that can work seamlessly with our hazardous materials abatement teams to offer a total solution.

Enviro-Vac is one of the oldest privately owned environmental contractors in Canada. They offer a full suite of services in hazardous materials abatement and decontamination including shrink- wrap containments, industrial vacuum services and more. They are available to work both small and large-scale projects across Canada. The head office is based in Surrey, BC. 

If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about hazardous materials abatement, decontamination or shrink-wrap solutions, please call us on our toll-free number, (888) 296-2499.