Too many contractors aren't removing asbestos properly, says B.C. Building Trades Council

The federal government has ordered a ban on asbestos by 2018, but experts say coming up with a national approachfor removing and disposing of the hazardous materials will be complicated especially since many abatementcontractors alreadycutcorners.

According to TomSigurdsonthe executive director of the B.C.'sBuilding Trades Council, some "less-than-reputable" asbestos abatement contractors that are tasked with renovating homes and officesarenot using proper procedures.

"Some contractors just don't want to pay the additional cost of doing it properly," he told host Gloria Macarenko on CBC'sBC Almanac."They don't want to provide the protective clothing that's requiredor the face masks."

There is currently no provinciallymandatedcertification for asbestos abatement contractors in B.C. The lack of provincial oversight challenges the health of workers in the industry, according to Sigurdson

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"For some people that are not properly certified in asbestos abatement, they don't know any different. They just think they're going in and doing a simple demolition and it'snot just a simple demolition."

Asbestos is one of the leading causes of death among workers in the country, linked to over 2,000 deaths per year. Contact with asbestos can lead to terminal diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

"This is a great concern of ours, because they're exposing workers and everyone in the community and families as well," he said.

Lack of provincial oversight

According to independent labour consultant Larry Stoffman, the federal government has takena strong first step towards rectifying the asbestos problem. But there's still a long way to go, especially in B.C.

"We certify people for industrial first aid, but not to remove a potent carcinogen like asbestos it makes absolutely no sense. Not only is the homeowner at risk, but the workers are at risk," he said.

Stoffman says he's part of a lobbying effort directed at the provincial government to develop a registry of certified abatement contractors. He says the province has expressed interest.

"We would like to see that brought forward, and we're working with WorksafeBC to do that."

With files from CBC's BC Almanac

To listen to the full interview, click on the audio labelled: Too many contractors aren't removing asbestos properly, says BC Trades Council