New regulations increase building and demolition cost and time

The cost and duration of construction and demolition projects in Ontario may be set to increase significantly as a result of new provincial asbestos regulations. These increases will tap into the pockets and schedules of building owners and operators but will also protect building occupants and asbestos, demolition and construction industry workers. The new regulation (O. Reg. 278/05), which will revoke and replace O. Reg. 838, will update safe work measures and procedures and enhance respiratory protection for workers who may encounter asbestos in the course of their work. The new regulation reflects many recommendations including: * Asbestos Building Management Assessments Surveys* Testing and Air Monitoring per project Air monitoring and Aggressive Air Clearance testing requirements Aggressive Air monitoring (forced air blowers/leaf blowers used to stir up the air) clearance sampling for Type 3 work* Asbestos Removal Protocols for Type # 3 Removal Operations * Worker Health & Safety Supplied Air Systems for Respiratory Protection for some Type 3 Removals result in higher Asbestos Removal costs* Introducing a definition for ‘asbestos-containing material’* Worker Protection: Updating respiratory protection requirements and reclassifying work procedures* Clarifying the duties of an owner to inspect for asbestos and the intent of the asbestos management program* Removing the variance approval process and introducing a requirement to provide advance written notice to the joint health and safety committee or representative when equivalent procedures providing at least equal protection to the regulation will be used * Providing new and updated requirements for Asbestos bulk sample analysis including non-friable asbestos in the asbestos management program* Glove bag requirements and procedures* The use of negative air pressure to prevent the leakage of dust that may contain asbestos from some Type 3 enclosures and asbestos containing material will now be classified as any material containing 0.5 % or more by weight of asbestosThe new regulation could also significantly increase costs for consulting services and aggressive air monitoring test sampling for Type 3 Removals and, in addition, new aggressive air testing clearance protocols could affect small short-term projects such as night work or single shift asbestos maintenance and removal projects. As a result of more stringent aggressive air testing and monitoring clearance procedures, building owners and operators may find they may have to organize and prepare for higher costs for the removal of asbestos containing fireproofing, ceiling tile and drywall. The mandatory use of Supplied Air Respirators in Type 3 asbestos fireproofing other than Chrysoltile (amosite and crocidolite) will significantly increase removal costs and project duration. Even smaller Type 3 and Type 2 projects will require better planning for asbestos removal of one-three night shifts and/or weekend work, especially in occupied facilities and public buildings. Testing results from laboratories could cause delays, where building staff returns to the abated area next morning.Restoration Environmental Contractors and REC Demolition personnel who are offering a free information session detailing the new regulations, which will be implemented on Nov. 1, 2005 are ready to perform this work.