Asbestos in the Workplace: Risks, Regulations, and Safety

Why Asbestos Still Matters in Canadian Workplaces

Canada prohibited the manufacture, import, sale, and use of asbestos and most asbestos-containing products on December 30, 2018, under the Prohibition of Asbestos and Products Containing Asbestos Regulations (SOR/2018-196) (Government of Canada). But the ban did not remove the asbestos that was already there.

Many Canadian buildings constructed before 1990 may still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). These materials are generally stable when left undisturbed and in good condition. The risk emerges when they are cut, drilled, scraped, sanded, or demolished - which is exactly what renovation, repair, and maintenance work involves.

Asbestos-related diseases - including mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, and asbestosis - are estimated to account for approximately 2,000 deaths in Canada each year, making them the leading cause of occupational death in the country (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)). Approximately 425 to 550 Canadians are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma annually.

These are not historical figures. Workers are being diagnosed and dying today from exposures that happened during routine jobs in older buildings - often without ever knowing they were at risk.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Asbestos exposure is not limited to demolition crews or hazmat specialists. The workers most frequently exposed are those doing everyday trades and maintenance work in older buildings.

If your role takes you into pre-1990 buildings in any of the above capacities, asbestos in the workplace is a hazard that directly applies to you.

Where Is Asbestos Found in Buildings and Workplaces?

Asbestos was used in so many construction applications that it can turn up almost anywhere in a pre-1990 building. The most common locations include:

Mechanical and structural areas:

• Pipe insulation and boiler lagging (sprayed or wrapped)

• Duct insulation and HVAC system components

• Fireproofing spray on steel beams and columns

• Rope gaskets and valve packing in mechanical rooms

Interior finishes:

• Textured ceiling coatings (popcorn/stipple ceilings)

• Ceiling tiles, particularly 12"×12" suspended tiles

• Floor tiles (vinyl asbestos tile) and the black mastic adhesive beneath them

• Drywall joint compound and skim coats applied before the mid-1980s

• Textured wall coatings

Roofing and exterior:

• Corrugated cement sheet roofing

• Roofing felt and bitumen-based flashings

• Asbestos cement siding (transite board)

Electrical:

• Wiring insulation, particularly in older residential panels

• Switchboard panels and arc chutes

For a comprehensive, room-by-room breakdown, see: Where Is Asbestos Found in Buildings?

How to Identify Possible Asbestos

You cannot identify asbestos by looking at it. The only definitive method is laboratory analysis - typically by a certified industrial hygienist who collects a bulk sample and submits it for polarized light microscopy (PLM) testing.

That said, there are practical indicators that should trigger suspicion and caution:

• Building age: Any building (or addition) constructed before 1990 should be assumed to potentially contain ACMs until confirmed otherwise.

• Material condition: Damaged, deteriorating, or friable (crumbly) materials in older buildings are high-priority concerns.

• Known high-risk materials: Popcorn ceilings, 12"×12" floor tiles, pipe insulation wrap, and textured joint compound in pre-1980s buildings are common ACM candidates.

• Absence of documentation: If there is no Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) or survey on file for an older building, that is itself a red flag.

The practical rule for Canadian workers: if a building was built before 1990 and you're about to disturb a material you can't confirm is asbestos-free, stop and find out first.

→ For a practical, step-by-step identification guide: How to Identify Asbestos in the Workplace

Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure

The diseases caused by asbestos exposure are severe, progressive, and in most cases irreversible. There is currently no recognized safe level of asbestos exposure (Health Canada).

The three most serious conditions are:

Mesothelioma - a cancer of the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart, almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Median survival after diagnosis is 12 to 21 months. (Canadian Cancer Society)

Asbestos-related lung cancer - clinically similar to smoking-related lung cancer and significantly more likely when asbestos exposure is combined with smoking.

Asbestosis - a chronic, progressive scarring of the lung tissue that permanently reduces breathing capacity.

One of the most critical facts about asbestos-related disease: the latency period is 10 to 50 years. Workers exposed during routine jobs today may not show symptoms for decades. This is why prevention - not treatment - is the only effective strategy.

→ For a complete clinical overview of all asbestos-related diseases, risk factors, and screening: Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure

Canadian Asbestos Regulations and Workplace Duties

Canada's regulatory framework for asbestos in the workplace is extensive - and compliance is not optional. Here's a practical overview.

Federal jurisdiction (federally regulated workplaces - banking, telecom, rail, etc.) falls under the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304), Part X. Employers must identify ACMs, develop a written Asbestos Management Plan, and provide worker training.

Provincial regulations govern most Canadian workplaces. Key frameworks include:

• Ontario: O. Reg. 278/05 - Requires designated substance assessments, Type 1/2/3 work classifications, accredited abatement contractors for Type 3 work, and a written Asbestos Management Plan for all owners of public buildings.

• British Columbia: WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation Part 6.1–6.4 - Requires hazardous materials surveys before demolition or renovation, a clearance air test after abatement, and worker awareness training.

• Alberta: OHS Code Part 4 and the Asbestos Abatement Regulation (AR 296/2017) - Classifies asbestos work into low, moderate, and high-risk activities with corresponding control requirements.

• Quebec: Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety (LSST) and the Safety Code for the construction industry.

Employer duties universally include:

• Identifying all ACMs in the workplace

• Developing and maintaining an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP)

• Notifying workers of ACM locations before work begins

• Providing appropriate training

• Ensuring proper control measures are in place for any work that disturbs ACMs

Worker rights include:

• The right to know about hazards in the workplace (including ACM locations)

• The right to refuse unsafe work

• The right to participate in workplace health and safety decisions

For the complete provincial breakdown, see our detailed reference post: Asbestos Regulations in Canada

Asbestos Risk Assessment Before Work Begins

Before any renovation, maintenance, repair, or demolition work begins in a building that may contain ACMs, a proper risk assessment must be completed. Skipping this step is both a regulatory violation and a potentially life-altering mistake.

 

The pre-work risk assessment process:

1. Review existing documentation. Check whether an Asbestos Management Plan or hazardous materials survey exists for the building. In Ontario, building owners of public buildings are legally required to have one.

2. Conduct a visual inspection. A competent person - typically a qualified hygienist or certified asbestos consultant - inspects the work area for suspect materials.

3. Sample and test suspect materials. Bulk samples are collected and submitted to an accredited laboratory for analysis. Results determine whether ACMs are present and inform the work classification.

4. Classify the work. Most provincial frameworks use a tiered classification system:

• Type 1 / Low Risk: Small-scale, limited disturbance (e.g., removing a small section of vinyl floor tile) - can often be done by trained workers with appropriate controls.

• Type 2 / Moderate Risk: More significant disturbance of friable ACMs - requires wet methods, HEPA vacuums, and trained personnel.

• Type 3 / High Risk: Major disturbance of friable ACMs (e.g., removal of spray-applied fireproofing) - requires licensed abatement contractors and regulated enclosures.

5. Notify and communicate. All workers who may enter the work area must be informed of the ACM hazard, its location, and the controls in place.

  Safe Handling and Control Measures

When work involving ACMs cannot be avoided, a hierarchy of controls determines the safest approach. These are listed in order of effectiveness - more protective options should always be prioritized over less protective ones.

Elimination / Substitution: Where feasible, design out the need to disturb ACMs entirely. Route new electrical or plumbing around known ACM locations.

Encapsulation: Seal intact, undamaged ACMs with an approved encapsulant to prevent fibre release, deferring full removal. This is a management option - not a permanent solution.

Engineering controls: Use wet methods (wetting material before cutting or scraping reduces fibre release by up to 90%), HEPA-filtered vacuums, and regulated work enclosures (glove bags, mini-enclosures, or full containment areas for Type 3 work).

Administrative controls: Limit the number of workers in the area, restrict access, schedule high-risk work during off-hours.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As a last line of defence - not the primary control. Includes:

• Half-face or full-face respirator with P100 (N100) cartridges, or a supplied-air respirator for high-risk work

• Disposable coveralls (Tyvek or equivalent) - never to be taken home

• Gloves and boot covers

All PPE must be properly fit-tested, donned in the correct sequence, and decontaminated or disposed of properly. Improperly worn or removed PPE negates its protective value.

For detailed handling protocols, see: Safe Handling of Asbestos Materials

What to Do If Asbestos Is Suspected or Discovered

Discovering - or suspecting - asbestos mid-job is more common than many workers realize. Here's the correct procedure:

Stop work immediately. If you encounter a material you suspect contains asbestos that was not identified in pre-work documentation, cease the activity that could disturb the material.

Clear the area. Ask non-essential personnel to leave the immediate area. Avoid spreading dust or fibres by limiting unnecessary movement.

Do not attempt to clean up dust or debris yourself unless you are trained and equipped for asbestos remediation. Ordinary vacuums spread fibres; only HEPA-rated equipment is appropriate.

Report to your supervisor. Notify your direct supervisor immediately. Document what you found, where, and the time and date.

Contact a qualified professional. A certified industrial hygienist or asbestos consultant should assess the material before work resumes. In most jurisdictions, work cannot legally resume in the affected area until assessment is complete.

Exercise your right to refuse unsafe work if you believe resuming would create an unacceptable risk and proper assessment has not been completed. This is a protected right under provincial OHS legislation across Canada.

What to Do After Possible Exposure

If you believe you've been exposed to airborne asbestos fibres - or if you were in an area where ACMs were unknowingly disturbed - take the following steps:

Decontaminate immediately. Remove and bag disposable PPE. Wet-wipe exposed skin. Shower as soon as possible. Never take potentially contaminated clothing home to wash - this risks secondary exposure to family members.

Report the exposure. Inform your supervisor and complete an incident report. In many provinces, this is legally required. Your employer's OHS representative or joint health and safety committee should be notified.

Seek medical advice. See a physician and disclose the potential asbestos exposure. While there is no treatment for asbestos fibre inhalation, a baseline medical record is important for future monitoring and any workers' compensation claims.

File a workers' compensation report. Contact your provincial WCB (WSIB in Ontario, WorkSafeBC in BC, WCB in Alberta, etc.). Even if symptoms don't appear for decades, having the exposure documented now is critical.

Monitor your health long-term. Because asbestos diseases have latency periods of 10–50 years, baseline chest X-rays and periodic follow-ups with your physician are advisable after any significant exposure.

For a complete step-by-step guide, see: What to Do If You Are Exposed to Asbestos

Asbestos Awareness Training

Training is not a bureaucratic formality - it is a genuinely life-saving intervention. A worker who knows what to look for, how to respond, and what their rights are is fundamentally safer than one who doesn't.

Who needs asbestos awareness training in Canada?

Under most provincial OHS frameworks, training is required for:

• Any worker who may encounter or work near ACMs

• Maintenance, custodial, and facilities management personnel in older buildings

• Construction and renovation tradespeople working in pre-1990 structures

• Supervisors and safety officers responsible for work in these environments

• Building owners and property managers responsible for Asbestos Management Plans

Requirements may vary depending on your workplace, province, and the type of work you perform. Some roles - particularly those performing Type 3 abatement - may have additional certification or licensing requirements. Checking with your provincial OHS authority ensures you meet the specific requirements for your context.

For a thorough discussion of who needs it and why, see: Asbestos Awareness Training: Do You Need It?

How to Choose an Online Asbestos Safety Course

Not all asbestos training is created equal. Here's what to look for when evaluating an online course for yourself or your team:

Coverage of Canadian regulations. The course should be specific to the Canadian regulatory environment, referencing federal OHS regulations and provincial frameworks - not generic international content.

Practical, scenario-based content. The best courses don't just define terms - they walk you through real-world scenarios: what to do before opening a wall in a 1975 school, how to respond when a suspect material is discovered mid-job, how to select and wear PPE correctly.

Clear, accessible format. A good online course should be easier to follow than a government PDF - with visuals, clear explanations, and practical takeaways that stick.

Certificate on completion. A verifiable certificate demonstrates your knowledge and supports workplace compliance documentation. Look for courses that issue certificates promptly upon completion.

Flexibility. The ability to complete training on your own schedule - from any device, without booking a classroom - makes it significantly easier for workers and employers to stay current.

Our Asbestos in the Workplace online course is purpose-built for Canadian workers and covers everything in this guide in a structured, self-paced format. You can complete it on your lunch break, on-site between jobs, or at home - and receive your certificate the same day. It's a practical, efficient way to ensure you and your team are prepared before the hazard ever comes up.

For a full breakdown of what to look for, visit: Best Asbestos Safety Course Online: What Every Canadian Worker Needs to Know

Workplace Asbestos Compliance Checklist

Use this checklist to assess your organization's current asbestos management posture. It is not a substitute for a formal regulatory review, but it's a practical starting point.

Documentation & Management:

• Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) developed and kept current

• Hazardous materials survey completed for all pre-1990 structures

• ACM locations documented and communicated to all affected workers

• AMP reviewed and updated whenever building conditions change

Before Work Begins:

• Work area checked against AMP before any renovation or maintenance

• Qualified assessment completed for any suspect materials

• Work properly classified (Type 1/2/3 or equivalent provincial classification)

• Appropriate contractor engaged for medium or high-risk work

• Workers informed of ACM presence and location in the work area

Controls & PPE:

• Hierarchy of controls applied (elimination before PPE)

• Wet methods, HEPA vacuums, and containment used as required

• Appropriate respirators selected, fit-tested, and maintained

• Disposable coveralls and decontamination procedure in place

Training & Competency:

• All potentially exposed workers trained in asbestos awareness

• Supervisors trained in asbestos management responsibilities

• Training records documented and current

Incident Preparedness:

• Stop-work procedure understood by all workers

• Incident reporting procedure in place and communicated

• Workers know their right to refuse unsafe work

For a fully developed compliance guide, see: Workplace Asbestos Compliance Guide

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even well-intentioned workers and employers make preventable errors when it comes to asbestos. These are the most consequential ones.

Assuming the building is safe because it looks modern. Many buildings have been cosmetically renovated without removing underlying ACMs. A new drop ceiling installed in 2015 can conceal original 1970s spray-applied fireproofing above it.

Relying on visual identification. Asbestos cannot be reliably identified by appearance, feel, or smell. Assuming a material is safe without testing is a regulatory violation and a genuine health risk.

Using standard vacuums to clean up dust. Ordinary shop vacuums and household vacuums have no capacity to capture asbestos fibres - they exhaust them back into the air. Only HEPA-rated equipment is appropriate.

Not informing subcontractors. Building owners and general contractors have a duty to share asbestos information with all tradespeople working in the building. Failing to do so creates both regulatory and civil liability.

Skipping training because "we've never had a problem." Asbestos disease has a 10–50 year latency. The absence of visible illness today tells you nothing about past exposures or future risk.

Taking contaminated clothing home. Secondary exposure - family members unknowingly inhaling fibres from work clothes - is a documented and entirely preventable cause of mesothelioma.

Delaying workers' compensation reporting after exposure. Because symptoms appear decades later, many workers lose access to compensation simply because the exposure was never documented at the time.

You Can't Afford to Wait - Get Trained Today

Asbestos in the workplace is one of Canada's most persistent occupational hazards - not because we lack the knowledge to manage it, but because too many workers and employers still don't know what to look for or what to do when they find it.

The good news: this is one of the most preventable occupational health risks in existence. The right knowledge, applied at the right time, stops exposures before they happen.

Our Asbestos in the Workplace online course gives you exactly that knowledge - in a practical, Canadian-specific format you can complete at your own pace, from anywhere. No classroom scheduling. No travel. No waiting. Walk away with a verifiable certificate and the confidence to recognize asbestos hazards, respond correctly, and keep yourself and your coworkers safe.

Protect your health. Meet your compliance requirements. Start today.

👉 Enroll in the Asbestos in the Workplace Course →