The push to license and certify asbestos removal contractors and workers in Vancouver

Hiring a qualified and reputable hazardous materials abatement contractor is no easy thing. Between researching their qualifications, checking their references, ensuring they are capable, and determining a time when they are able to come and complete the work in a timely and organized manner, the person hiring the contractor will have put in numerous hours to complete the task. It is a long and arduous process with much potential risk.

The contractor needs to be a qualified abatement company with trained and qualified workers as well as appropriate environmental liability insurance and employee coverage through WorkSafe. Companies must be able to prove they have the qualified person as defined by regulators to complete risk assessments and exposure control plans. 

For the past couple of years, long before the Canadian government announced a complete ban on asbestos use, there have been demands made of the BC provincial government to start licensing workers and companies for asbestos abatement but to date there has been little progress. Proper procedures are essential in the removal of asbestos, especially when by not following the correct procedures, the owners of the companies are putting their employee’s lives at risk as well as their assets.

With the current push to step up asbestos removal in order to safeguard older buildings across Canada, the need for regulating unscrupulous and unqualified abatement companies could not be more necessary. If a company is not licensed, they could find short cuts that are dangerous. If a worker does not need to be properly trained and certified in asbestos abatement he can put himself and others into life-threatening situations.

At Enviro-Vac, we have been at the forefront of the hazardous materials abatement industry. We comply with the highest standards and practices and meet all regulatory and insurance requirements. We are certified by the Hazardous Materials Association and strive to make our sites as safe as possible, ensuring the health and well-being of all our employees. Contact us to find out more about how we can clean up your facility in the most responsible manner.