WorkSafeBC is reaching out to homeowners, who are demolishing or renovating their pre-1990s homes, about the importance of keeping workers safe from asbestos exposure. The fact is, more than 3,000 different building materials manufactured before 1990 can contain asbestos; because it’s found in so many common building products, it can be a danger hiding in plain sight in many homes.
When asbestos is disturbed during a demo or reno, it becomes a danger to everyone working on your property. From 2006 to 2015, 584 workers died in B.C. from diseases related to asbestos exposure, and more than 400 workers reported being exposed to asbestos in 2015.
You can prevent asbestos exposure by knowing if your property is at risk for asbestos and making sure that asbestos-containing materials are properly identified and removed before anyone starts work on your reno or demo.
For more information about the dangers of asbestos exposure, and how to identify and remove asbestos in your home, please visit thinkasbestos.com.