Blog Post #447 – Penalty for Asbestos Breach

Excerpt from the OH&S Canada Magazine

Richmond North Property Corp. was handed a $37,500 penalty in December, 2009 for violating asbestos requirements pursuant to Ontario’s OH&S Act.

During the summer of 2007, the company was renovating a building that it owned in London, Ontario, the Ministry of Labour (MOL) reports in a statement. The ministry identified that asbestos was present and initiated an investigation.

Richmond North Property pleaded guilty to breaching the provincial OH&S Act by failing to do the following: advise workers of asbestos-containing material, provide workers with the location of the material, and inform workers whether or not the material was friable.

My opinion

There is a new regulation, (490/09), covering all but one of the Designated Substances. The only one that did not change was regulation 278/05, “Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Building and Repair Operations.” Sounds like a mouthful but there it is. The employer has to determine if asbestos is present and, if so, is it a Type 1, Type 2 or Type 3 operation. All the pertinent information needed to work safely around asbestos can be found in the above regulation. All this has to be done prior to any work initiated.

I wonder why they did not read it?

Remember – In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Due Diligence’, ‘Asbestos Safety Awareness’ and ‘Standard Operating Procedures’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.

We can also be reached at 

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Foundation Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.