WorkSafeBC is sending out a message to owners of older homes to be aware of asbestos.
Vice President of Prevention Services Al Johnson says if you plan on doing renovations, it’s important to take extra precautions. He notes that homes built pre-1990 are especially at risk.
“Asbestos can get into the air, and we want to make sure that workers, family members and home owners themselves are not exposed to asbestos. So, this campaign is really about awareness. We want the home owner to think about asbestos before a reno or a demo, we want them to talk to their contractor and make sure that the asbestos is dealt with safely so people aren’t exposed.”
WorkSafeBC says asbestos is the number one killer of workers across the province.
“Workers are dying today because of exposures in the past,” Johnson says.
“Asbestos exposure and disease has what they call a long-latency period so from the time you’re exposed today, the disease doesn’t show up for 10 or 20 years into the future. You just really need to take the precautions today so that you don’t come out with the disease in the future.”
Asbestos can be found in more than 3000 different construction materials used in homes built before 1990, according to WorkSafeBC.
For more on the awareness campaign, visit www.worksafebc.com.
