InsulationRemoval.ca, the GTA’s Leading Provider of Insulation Services, Weighs in on Health and Safety Risks of Working With and Removing Asbestos
Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) February 20, 2014 -- InsulationRemoval.ca (http://www.InsulationRemoval.ca), the GTA’s premier provider of insulation services, including removal and installation, is weighing in on the health and safety risks of working with and removing asbestos.
“Because of its strength, durability, and resistance to heat, fire, and chemicals, asbestos was used in residential and commercial building materials in Ontario for decades,” says Trevor Sean, founder of InsulationRemoval.ca. “In fact, if the home or building was built before the mid-1980s, asbestos could be found in any number of areas, including concrete, vinyl, insulation, and ceiling and floor tiles.”
With spring just around the corner, many property owners are thinking about renovating their homes or offices. According to Sean, in the case of a demolition, property owners are required by law to determine the presence of all hazardous substances, including asbestos, before they begin. At the same time, even minor renovations and remodelling can disturb asbestos, making the fibres more readily inhalable.
“Working with asbestos should not be taken lightly,” he observes. “In Canada, exposure to airborne asbestos fibres has been recognized as a human carcinogen and an occupational health hazard for workers in construction and occupants of buildings since 1982. In Ontario, the disposal and transportation of asbestos waste is regulated by the provincial government, and dealing with asbestos independently can translate into huge fines.”
In one instance, an employer was fined $25,000 for failing to train and properly equip an employee for asbestos removal and abatement. More recently, a hospital was fined $60,000 for violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act after workers were not sufficiently protected against asbestos exposure. (Sources: “Pembroke Regional Hospital Inc. Fined $60,000 After Asbestos Violations,” Ontario Government web site, February 27, 2013; http://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2013/02/pembroke-regional-hospital-inc-fined-60000-after-asbestos-violations.html; “Employer Fined $25,000 For Failure to Train, Equip Worker in Asbestos Removal,” Ontario Government web site, August 30, 2013; http://news.ontario.ca/mol/en/2013/08/employer-fined-25000-for-failure-to-train-equip-worker-in-asbestos-removal.html.)
“What is often overlooked in these situations is that improperly removed asbestos can pose serious health concerns for property and homeowners,” Sean notes. “That’s because disturbed, airborne asbestos can linger and cause long-term damage, including asbestosis, lung cancer, or mesothelioma. Unfortunately, it can take decades for the diseases to occur after exposure.”
He adds that if the home or office has vermiculite insulation, property owners should assume it contains asbestos and hire a professional asbestos removal contractor to ensure the material is safely handled and removed. If property owners plan to remodel or renovate by re-insulating their attic, they should speak to insulation removal professionals trained and qualified to handle asbestos removal.
“At InsulationRemoval.ca, our contractors are fully certified and approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and are permitted to handle all three types of asbestos abatement,” Sean concludes.
InsulationRemoval.ca is one of the Greater Toronto Area’s premier providers of insulation services. The company’s installers, inspectors, and repair team can handle any of their clients’ insulation needs, such as removal and repair, energy audits, and the installation of pink fibreglass, blown-in and spray foam insulation, and air sealing. InsulationRemoval.ca has delivered outstanding results to homeowners, builders, business owners, and property managers in the Greater Toronto Area, suburbs, and entire Golden Horseshoe. It also serves the Orangeville, Alliston, Barrie, Kawartha Lakes, Muskoka, Collingwood, and Blue Mountains areas. To learn more about InsulationRemoval.ca, visit the company’s web site at http://www.InsulationRemoval.ca or call 416-999-5700.
Trevor Sean, Insulation Removal, http://www.insulationremoval.ca/, +1 905-266-0350, [email protected]
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