Among the most notable sights at Canada’s recent International Day of Mourning celebration for workers who died on the job was the memorial to victims of asbestos who had died of malignant mesothelioma and other diseases. It was a poignant reminder that the country is seeing far too many individuals sickened and dying as a result of the carcinogenic material. Now the government of British Columbia is taking action.
Asbestos is the Number One Killer of Workers in British Columbia
The Canadian province of British Columbia has lost over 1,000 workers to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related deaths in the last twenty years, and last year more than one third of all work-related deaths were blamed on exposure to asbestos. Though the material is no longer in use, legacy asbestos is found in so many locations that construction workers are constantly exposed, particularly when contractors fail to provide appropriate protection, training, and education about its dangers.
A chronic lack of concern about health and safety standards has led to countless workers being exposed and put at risk for mesothelioma, and this has led British Columbia’s government to take action: the province will be the first in the country to require licensure for any company that works in asbestos removal. Though the specifics of the licensure requirements are not yet clear, many have expressed optimism about this positive step.
Construction Workers and Others Still Risk Mesothelioma from Legacy Asbestos
According to Christopher MacLeod, professor of public health at the University of British Columbia, improper handling and disposal of asbestos that was installed decades ago is exposing today’s workers and leading to risk of mesothelioma diagnoses decades from now. “Because of the persistence of the material in buildings and the latency in terms of exposure and disease, we’re still seeing many, many people die of asbestos-related disease, and expect that to continue for some time.”
The new requirements are meant to counter the fact that workers don’t understand the risk of mesothelioma, and the asbestos abatement companies are ignoring orders for proper handling. Dan Jajic, business manager and secretary-treasurer for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades in British Columbia, said, “We’ve seen a lot of bad actors in the industry who have no concern for health and safety standards.”
If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, you are not alone. For information on how the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help, contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
