Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island

Upcoming Changes to Asbestos Regulations

March 09, 2020

The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) has introduced changes to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act General Regulations in relation to asbestos abatement.  

 

The amendments to the Regulations set out the safety standards related to asbestos abatement for Prince Edward Island workplaces, to ensure the health and safety of workers.

 

Highlights of the proposed regulation changes include, but are not limited to:

  • a definition for asbestos containing materials;
  • differentiation of various levels of risk of exposure to asbestos during asbestos removal operations;
  • the requirement for daily air sampling outside of an enclosure;
  • expiration periods of asbestos abatement contractors’ certificates and renewals;
  • more prescriptive requirements for ventilation, including annual certification; and
  • enhanced requirements for medical surveillance of asbestos abatement workers for consistency in the industry

 

The new regulations will come into effect March 14, 2020.

 

“The proposed amendments have taken into account current legislation in other provinces, as well as evolving research into best practices in working safely in workplaces where asbestos may be present,” said Ben MacDonald, Chair of the OHS Advisory Council.

 

The WCB will be working further with industry stakeholders to produce a new PEI Asbestos Abatement Manual and will continue to provide education to asbestos abatement contractors about the requirements. For more information visit our website at wcb.pe.ca.

 

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Media Contact:
WCB Communications
902-894-0362 or news@wcb.pe.ca