ASBESTOS REMOVAL AND REMEDIATION IN ONTARIO

At Himsa Construction Inc, we specialize in the identification, management, and safe removal of asbestos-containing materials. With over 7 years of experience in the industry, we have the knowledge and certification to perform this work in full compliance with Ontario’s safety regulations.

WHAT IS ASBESTOS?

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was widely used in construction due to its insulating properties, heat resistance, and durability. However, when asbestos fibers are released into the air and inhaled, they can cause serious health issues such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

The level of risk depends largely on the physical state of the asbestos and its potential to release fibers into the air.

A drywall taping knife applying joint compound to a wall with textured drywall.

TYPES OF ASBESTOS

A close-up of a plumbing pipe with visible damage and corrosion, wrapped with some insulation material near the wall in a basement or crawl space.
View of an attic with wooden beams and metal supports, ground covered with gravel and debris.

Friable Asbestos

Friable asbestos refers to any material containing asbestos that can be easily crumbled, crushed, or reduced to powder by hand. This type poses the greatest risk because asbestos fibers are easily released into the air.

Common examples of friable asbestos materials:

  • Pipe and boiler insulation (in the form of wraps or blankets)

  • Spray-on insulation on walls and ceilings

  • Popcorn ceiling (textured ceiling coatings)

  • Soundproofing panels that contain asbestos

  • Certain types of plaster and wall coatings

Main Risk: Friable asbestos is highly hazardous because its fibers can become airborne with minimal disturbance.

Broken tiles and debris on the floor with a metal grout float in the foreground.
Unfinished drywall in a room with visible joints and tape, with a wooden floor or work surface in the foreground.

Non Friable Asbestos

Non-friable asbestos is tightly bound within a solid material, making it more stable and less likely to release fibers unless the material is cut, drilled, or damaged.

Common examples of non-friable asbestos materials:

  • Vinyl floor tiles

  • Asbestos-reinforced cement products

  • Cement pipes containing asbestos

  • Joint compounds, adhesives, and caulking

  • Roofing shingles and fiber cement panels

Main Risk: While non-friable asbestos is less hazardous in normal conditions, it can become dangerous if disturbed during renovations or demolition.

WHEN SHOULD ASBESTOS BE REMOVED?

The asbestos removal process is classified into three risk levels under Ontario Regulation 278/05:

Type 1 – Low Risk

What are Type 1 operations?

Type 1 operations include the following:

  • Installing or removing less than 7.5 square metres of ceiling tile containing asbestos (81 square feet, or ten 4-foot x 2-foot ceiling tiles) without it being broken, cut, drilled, abraded, ground, sanded, or vibrated.

  • Installing or removing non-friable asbestoscontaining material, other than ceiling tiles, without it being broken, cut, drilled, abraded, ground, sanded, or vibrated.

  • Breaking, cutting, drilling, abrading, grinding, sanding, or vibrating non-friable asbestos-containing material if a) you wet the material, and b) you use only nonpowered hand-held tools.

    Type 1 Safety Procedures:

• Workers must wear basic protective equipment such as gloves and N95 masks.

• Materials should be dampened before handling to reduce dust.

• The work area must be kept clean and free of debris.

• While full containment is not required, sealing the area with plastic sheets is recommended when working in enclosed spaces.

Ceiling tiles, with one damaged tile showing water damage and holes.
A person wearing a white protective suit, gloves, goggles, and a respirator mask is scraping or removing damaged ceiling paint or drywall.
Close-up of rusty pipe fitting with signs of corrosion and possible leakage, surrounded by white buildup and debris.
Wall with drywall damage, pipe protruding from the wall, and an opening with handwritten markings.

Type 2 Asbestos Operations

Type 2 operations involve a moderate risk of asbestos exposure and require enhanced safety controls to protect workers and anyone in the surrounding area. These tasks often involve limited disturbance of friable asbestos or activities where asbestos fibers may be released into the air.

Examples of Type 2 Operations:

  • Removing all or part of a false ceiling in buildings where sprayed asbestos fireproofing is present, especially if the material is deteriorated or damaged, and asbestos fibers may have accumulated above the ceiling.

  • Removing or disturbing less than 1 square metre of friable asbestos materials, such as repairing pipe insulation or partially removing fireproofing to install a new pipe hanger.

  • Enclosing friable asbestos insulation to prevent further damage or deterioration.

  • Removing one square metre or more of drywall where the joint compound contains asbestos.

Type 2 Safety Procedures:

  • Workers must wear advanced personal protective equipment (PPE), including disposable coveralls, gloves, and HEPA-filtered respirators.

  • Partial containment barriers should be installed to prevent the spread of fibers to adjacent areas.

  • Asbestos materials must be thoroughly dampened before handling to minimize fiber release.

  • The work area must be cleaned using industrial HEPA-filtered vacuums.

  • A designated decontamination area must be provided for workers to safely remove and dispose of protective gear.

Type 2 Moderate Risk

Interior wall under construction with exposed framing and insulation material. There are some scattered debris on the floor.

Asbestos Type 3

Type 3 Asbestos Operations

Type 3 operations involve high-risk asbestos activities where there is a significant likelihood of fiber release. These tasks require strict containment procedures, specialized equipment, and comprehensive worker protection measures to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.

Examples of Type 3 Operations:

  • Removing or disturbing more than 1 square metre of friable asbestos-containing material.

  • Spraying sealants onto friable asbestos materials.

  • Cleaning or dismantling HVAC systems in buildings containing sprayed asbestos fireproofing.

  • Performing repairs, modifications, or demolition of kilns, furnaces, or industrial structures that contain asbestos refractory materials.

  • Disturbing non-friable asbestos using powered tools without HEPA-equipped dust collection systems.

  • Carrying out demolition or renovation of buildings previously used for asbestos manufacturing, unless the site was fully remediated before March 16, 1986.

Type 3 Safety Procedures:

  • The work area must be fully enclosed using heavy-duty plastic sheeting and equipped with a negative air pressure system to contain airborne fibers.

  • Workers are required to wear full-body protective suits, double gloves, safety goggles, and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR).

  • A HEPA-filtered air filtration system must be used to continuously capture and filter airborne contaminants.

  • A complete decontamination station with shower facilities must be available for workers exiting the containment zone.

  • All asbestos-containing waste must be sealed in double-bagged containers, clearly labeled as “Asbestos-Containing Material”, and transported to an approved hazardous waste facility.

Your safety and the protection of your environment are our top priorities..