Thursday, January 18, 2024

At a glance (2 minute read)

  • As of January 1, 2024, new rules in BC mandate licensing for asbestos-abatement employers and certification for workers involved in asbestos-related activities, aiming to improve safety during removal, repair, transport, and disposal of asbestos.
  • Homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos in various materials such as insulation, tiles, flooring, and more. Dislodged asbestos particles pose serious health risks, including various cancers when inhaled.
  • BC is the first Canadian jurisdiction to enforce a formal licensing program for asbestos abatement, addressing the significant health risks associated with asbestos exposure, which has been the leading cause of workplace-related deaths in the province.

REALTORS® with clients buying or selling homes build before 1990 should let clients know there are new rules to improve safety for workers removing, repairing, transporting, and disposing of asbestos.

The rules, which came into force January 1, 2024, require asbestos-abatement employers to be licensed and to ensure their workers have taken training and are certified to perform work involving asbestos.

WorkSafeBC is the authority overseeing the employer licensing program and worker certification.

BC is the first jurisdiction in Canada to enforce a formal licensing program related to asbestos abatement.

Older homes may be full of asbestos

Asbestos may be found in:

  • vermiculite insulation,
  • roof felt and shingles,
  • acoustic tiles,
  • vinyl tiles,
  • linoleum sheet flooring,
  • pads under fireplace hearths,
  • pipe insulation,
  • stucco,
  • textured ceilings,
  • cement board and tiles,
  • cement pipes,
  • and more.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

When asbestos is dislodged, particles are released into the air, leading to a range of cancers, when inhaled.

Verify if a contractor is licensed

Property owners must hire specially licensed companies to remove asbestos.

Find out if a contractor is licensed using WorkSafeBC’s online registry of licensed employers. 

Need for new rules

  • Asbestos-related diseases are the number one cause of workplace-related deaths in BC.
  • In 2022 (most recent data available), asbestos exposure contributed to 61 deaths of a total of 181 workplace deaths in BC.
  • Over the past decade, WorkSafeBC accepted 500+ claims for workers killed by diseases related to asbestos exposure.

Read more

Read the government news release about the new rules.

Read 10 Simple Steps to Complying with Asbestos Abatement.

If you have questions about asbestos remediation, please contact Harriet Permut, director of government relations at hpermut@rebgv.org.