April 1-7 marks Global Asbestos Awareness Week, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and managing asbestos hazards in workplaces.
Asbestos, a fibrous material used in buildings until the late 1990s, poses serious health risks when disturbed. Additionally, inhaling its tiny fibres can lead to long-term lung issues.
Read more: Asbestos leak ices curling operations
Labour relations and workplace safety minister, Jim Reiter, issued the following statement.
“Work-related asbestos diseases can be prevented if you are aware of where it is located in a building and how to properly handle it to avoid exposure to its fibres.”
In Lloydminster, the dangers of asbestos became evident in November 2024. An air quality test found elevated levels of the fibre at the Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre. The City of Lloydminster took immediate action by engaging professional services to assess and remediate the situation.
‘Meanwhile, the building’s age made the presence of asbestos typical, highlighting the need for vigilance during maintenance or renovations.
Meanwhile, as of this week, 66 local buildings are on the registry. The municipality, schools and Saskatchewan Housing Authority all have multiple affected properties.
However, to aid in prevention, Saskatchewan launched an updated asbestos registry in February of this year. A publicly-accessible active database run by the Government lists over 5,200 properties currently afflicted with this product.
Residents and workers can access the asbestos registry at saskatchewan.ca. For more information on understanding, identifying, and handling asbestos, visit saskatchewan.ca/asbestos and WorkSafe Saskatchewan.
Read more: Lloydminster looks to replace water infrastructure
