A buldozer at a jobsite

Asbestos Hazard in Demolitions and Renovations

Asbestos is an airborne hazard in demolitions when the fine fibers of an asbestos-containing material are disturbed and not managed properly. These fibers can last in the environment for hours, risking the health of every person exposed to the work area when asbestos is inhaled or ingested without even noticing it. Asbestos fibers are capable of causing cancer and other asbestos-related diseases in humans, developing symptoms of these conditions more than two decades after the exposure of its contaminants. The release of air toxins is an asbestos hazard in demolitions and renovations and needs to be managed by experienced professionals.

This strong material was used in more than 3,000 construction products as cement and plaster, and also as fire protection and heat or noise insulation until 1990’s. This is the reason why asbestos hazard in demolitions or renovations of older houses is higher – because the probability of finding asbestos-related materials is very strong, and the health of your family and workers can be compromised when releasing asbestos fibers. As a property owner or building manager, in any renovation or demolition job you are directly responsible for ensuring the safety and health of your family, workers and even the public from the asbestos-contaminated air at the workplace.

Before demolishing or renovating any structure, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines (OHS) of WorkSafeBC you must follow the below steps:

  1. A qualified person or inspector must check the place in order to identify the asbestos that can be removed or handled. This person must have education, training, and experience managing and controlling asbestos hazards.
  2. 24 hours before the job begins, you need to submit a Notice of Project form for asbestos to WorkSafeBC.
  3. Your workers must be trained and qualified to work with asbestos, to remove and dispose of it in a safety manner. They also need to wear the proper gear.

Asbestos hazard in demolitions and renovations is a serious matter. Protect your health and the health of your family or workers, whether you have the suspicion of having asbestos at your home or business. At A&D Demolition and Asbestos Removal, we are a team of professionals with over 10 years of industry background. If you have a renovation project in mind and are unsure of how to start, you can rely on our experience to handle any situation of demolition and asbestos removal, eliminating any risk in the process. Your safety is our number one responsibility, and we offer a quality job at a reasonable price. We take care of every step from demolition to transport and disposal of all waste and hazardous materials. Our experience enables us to do a hassle-free demotion project without any environmental issues. Contact us for a free on-site quote!