|  The
issue of “asbestos in buildings” continues to maintain a high profile
among the ever-increasing list of health and safety concerns. Regulation
838 respecting Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings
and Repair Operations made under the Occupational Health
and Safety Act has been in effect since 1986 and requires owners
of buildings where friable asbestos-containing materials may be
present to develop and institute an Asbestos Management Program.
 The
proclamation of the Bill 208 amendments to the Occupational Health
and Safety Act has substantially increased (from $25,000 to $500,000)
the maximum fine for non-compliance and officers and directors of
a company may also be held personally liable.
To ensure compliance with the Act, an
Asbestos Management Program must be developed and
include:
- a survey of all
facilities to establish the locations of asbestos-containing
materials and the condition of the asbestos applications;
- a program for undertaking corrective
action on damaged or deteriorated friable asbestos-containing
materials; and
- the establishment of operational
and maintenance procedures for the safe handling of materials
containing asbestos, worker training, notification of staff
and outside tradespersons, record keeping and periodic inspections.
In
addition to regulatory compliance, other factors dictating action
include the potential liability associated with the presence of
asbestos, the risk of reduced property values and rental income,
employee concerns and public perception.
Our
full range of services includes:
 Asbestos inventories
and bulk sampling;- Developing operations
and maintenance programs;
- Developing and
presenting employee training programs;
- Preparing remediation
contract specifications and work plans;
- Supervision of
asbestos remediation projects;
- Air monitoring
and analysis;
- Survey updates
and periodic inspections; and
- Liaison with government
agencies and Health and Safety Committees.
Contact
DCS for more information on Asbestos services.
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