New Asbestos Requirements from WorkSafeBC

Cinnaminson, NJ, October 7, 2013

WorkSafeBC has updated their  guidelines for qualified person’s safe work procedures for abatement of asbestos materials during house and building demolition and renovation.

Inhalation of asbestos can be very harmful for workers. Asbestos fibers can travel into the body and attack soft tissue.  Exposure to asbestos can result in mesothelioma , lung cancer, and asbestosis. Workers may be at risk of harmful exposure to airborne asbestos if safe work procedures are not followed.

According to WorkSafeBC the new procedures are as follows:

(1) The employer must ensure that procedures for handling or using asbestos containing material prevent or minimize the release of airborne asbestos fibers.

(2) The employer must ensure that the procedures for control, handling or use of asbestos are in accordance with procedures acceptable to the Board.

(3) The procedures must address:

      (a) containment of asbestos operations where applicable

      (b) control of the release of asbestos fibers

      (c) provision, use and maintenance of appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing

      (d) means for the decontamination of workers

      (e) removal of asbestos waste and cleanup of asbestos waste material

(4) The procedures must provide a worker with task-specific work direction that addresses both hazards and necessary controls.

In addition, waste disposal bags must be at least 6 mil thick.

For more information on the new procedures, visit www.WorkSafeBC.com.

“Asbestos overexposure causes over 100,000 deaths per year according to the World Health Organization,” states Ed Cahill, Vice President of EMSL’s Asbestos Division. “All of EMSL’s locations, in the United States and Canada, are fully equipped and accredited to test for the presence of asbestos and lead in air, soil, water, and bulk building materials.”

People wishing to have their samples tested by EMSL should visit www.AsbestosTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a full service testing company providing quality lab services under the same private ownership since 1981. Including the corporate lab facility in Cinnaminson, NJ, EMSL Analytical operates over thirty laboratories nationwide in the US and Canada. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com