Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that was regularly used in buildings until the late 1990s. If products containing asbestos are disturbed, the tiny fibres are released into the air. When they are breathed in, they can become trapped in the lungs and stay there for many years. Over time, these fibres can accumulate and lead to serious health problems.
Owners, employers, employees and contractors should understand the risks of asbestos as well as know how to identify and handle asbestos-containing materials. There are some cases where working with asbestos is a high-risk process, and Occupational Health and Safety must be notified 14 days before starting the process.
The Asbestos Registry of Public Buildings lists buildings in Saskatchewan that contain asbestos as per The Public Health Act, 1994, which requires the provincial government, Crown corporations, health regions and all facilities used as public schools to provide and post information about the presence of asbestos in those buildings.
Occupational Health and Safety has developed a webinar, Occupational Health and Safety Requirements for Asbestos, that provides an overview of the asbestos requirements in The Saskatchewan Employment Act and The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020, including high risk asbestos process notice requirements, asbestos regulations, demolition work and the asbestos registry. This webinar is offered through GoToWebinar, an online software service that uses your computer's internet browser. GoToWebinar will automatically download the required software onto your device when you register.