On December 15, the Federal government announced its intent to move towards a comprehensive ban on asbestos and asbestos-containing products. The ban would include new regulations to prevent the manufacture, use, import and export of asbestos, and new health and safety rules to limit the risk of people coming in contact with asbestos on the job.

Pertti Harkonen, team lead with the City's Building Inspection s Department, says it is still too early to tell what impact this ban will have on our community.

"It is new news. I just found out about it today as it was being announced, so we haven't had time to look at it or consider what it may have effects on."

Harkonen says the City takes its cues from the Alberta Building Code, and a ban could take some time to roll out.

"If the Federal government implements it in 2018, the Alberta Building Code may not recognize it for a four year cycle. So it could be 2021 before the Alberta Building Code has it in there, unless the province decides to make a change."

As it is, Harkonen thinks it is unlikely projects in Airdrie are putting workers at risk of coming in contact with asbestos.

"We're not aware of any new products utilizing asbestos, so there's really, from our perspective, no real risk of asbestos with current products."

 

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com