Asbestos Exposure in Demolition and Renovation
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Asbestos Awareness:
If a building was built before 1990, there is a higher risk that some materials used in its construction may contain asbestos. And asbestos is still a frequent challenge that workers run into, today.
Although Alberta safety standard elevation in construction and usage of asbestos has largely improved, workers should arm themselves with this critical knowledge of asbestos and its exposure risks.
But what is asbestos exactly?
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with unique physical characteristics, including extraordinary tensile strength, poor heat conduction, and flame resistance. For these reasons, asbestos was often used in a wide range of building products. However, it is now recognized that exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of harmful health effects. During demolition and renovation, asbestos fibres may be released if building materials containing asbestos are disturbed. Unprotected workers can then be exposed to the asbestos by breathing in these fibres.
Exposure risks associated with asbestos:
> Inhaled asbestos fibres can accumulate in the lungs, causing scarring and inflammation. As the scarring and inflammation progress, it can affect breathing and lead to serious and irreversible health problems. For example, exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and cancer of the larynx or ovaries, as well as other non-cancerous lung disorders like asbestosis and pleural disease.
Where might you encounter asbestos on the job?
Where could you be exposed to asbestos during demolition work?
Many building products may contain asbestos, including:
Ceiling tiles
Drywall mud
Exterior stucco and siding
Furnace or boiler duct tape and wrap
Light fixtures
Mechanical insulation
Pipe insulation
Plaster
Roofing materials
Vermiculite attic or block insulation
Vinyl asbestos floor tiles
Vinyl sheet flooring
Some common ways workers can be exposed to asbestos when doing activities related to demolition or renovation are:
Demolition of asbestos-containing structures using heavy equipment
Transfer, dumping, or disposal of waste that contains asbestos
Hand demolition of structures or materials that contain asbestos
Site-cleaning activities where asbestos has been disturbed
Renovation projects where demolition (controlled or uncontrolled) has been conducted
Handling of equipment and materials contaminated with asbestos