Hidden Dangers on the Jobsite: Why Winnipeg Contractors Need Asbestos Testing Before Demolition or Renovation
- Relief Restorations
- 1 day ago
- 10 min read
Introduction
Winnipeg’s historic homes and commercial buildings are part of what gives the city its character. Many of these structures, however, were constructed or renovated when asbestos was considered a miracle material. Asbestos fibres were woven into roofing, plaster, insulation, ceiling tiles, and numerous other products for their strength and fire‑resistance. Today we know that those same fibres, when disturbed, can lead to life‑threatening diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
For contractors, the presence of asbestos isn’t just a health concern, it’s a legal and financial one as well. Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health Regulation mandates an asbestos inventory, bulk sample testing and proper notification before any work that might release fibres. Failure to follow these rules can result in stop‑work orders, fines or even prosecution.
This long-form article explores why asbestos testing should be a non‑negotiable step before any demolition or renovation project in Winnipeg. We’ll delve into the health risks, legal responsibilities and practical steps contractors need to take to protect workers, clients and the community.
Understanding Asbestos and Its Risks
What Is Asbestos and Where Is It Found?
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals once valued for their strength, durability and resistance to heat. For decades, it was added to construction materials ranging from exterior siding and roof shingles to plaster, flooring, adhesives and insulation. Because of that wide use, asbestos can still be hidden in unexpected places in buildings erected or remodeled before 1990.
Consider the following categories of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs):
Potential ACM Category | Examples |
Exterior building materials | House siding, roofing shingles, tar paper |
Interior surfaces | Plaster, drywall, joint compound, ceiling and floor tiles |
Adhesives & finishes | Paint, putty, caulking, sealants and spackling |
Insulation & heating | Insulation around hot water pipes, tanks and industrial furnaces |
It isn’t always obvious whether a material contains asbestos. Visual inspections alone cannot confirm the absence of asbestos. That’s why both homeowners and contractors are advised by Health Canada to hire professionals to test for asbestos before starting a renovation.
How Asbestos Harms Health
When asbestos-containing materials are intact and undisturbed, fibres remain bound within the product and pose minimal risk. Problems arise when those materials are cut, drilled, sanded, scraped or broken apart during demolition or renovation. Disturbing them releases microscopic fibres that can stay airborne for hours. Inhaled fibres lodge deep in the lungs, causing scarring and increasing the risk of:
The latency period for these diseases can be 10 to 40 years after exposure, meaning current construction practices will affect health for decades. The Government of Canada underscores the danger: “Breathing in asbestos fibres can pose a serious health risk, including cancer and other illnesses”.
Legal Requirements for Contractors in Manitoba
Manitoba has enacted comprehensive regulations to protect workers and the public from asbestos. Contractors ignoring these rules can face severe consequences.
Mandatory Inventory and Testing
Before any demolition, renovation or alteration, the work area must be inspected and an asbestos inventory prepared by a competent person. This inventory identifies the location, type and condition of all suspected asbestos-containing material.
Representative bulk samples of suspected materials must then be collected for analysis by an accredited laboratory. Materials are assumed to be ACM until testing proves otherwise. These requirements apply to property owners, contractors and employers.
Advance Notification and Control Plans
Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health must be notified at least five days before starting work that may release asbestos fibres into the air. If testing confirms the presence of asbestos, the responsible party must remove or properly manage it prior to any demolition or alteration. When removal cannot be fully completed, such as during an emergency demolition after a fire, control measures like wet methods must be used to prevent fibres from becoming airborne.
An asbestos control plan must detail how ACM will be handled and disposed of without releasing fibres. Workers must be trained in safe procedures, provided with appropriate PPE and, when necessary, fitted for respirators.
Risk Classifications
Work involving asbestos is classified based on risk:
Type 1 (Low Risk) – Non‑friable materials that aren’t likely to release fibres when handled properly. Examples include intact vinyl floor tiles.
Type 2 (Moderate Risk) – Friable materials likely to release fibres during work of less than three hours, such as insulation removal in small areas.
Type 3 (High Risk) – Friable materials expected to release fibres in larger quantities. This class includes full removal of sprayed fireproofing or demolition of asbestos-laden structures.
Different control measures and notification requirements apply to each class. Understanding these categories is essential for compliance.
Why Asbestos Testing Is Essential
Protecting Workers and Occupants
The most compelling reason for pre‑project asbestos testing is to protect human health. Construction workers, tradespeople and building occupants are at risk if ACM is disturbed unknowingly. Asbestos fibres are invisible and odourless; without testing, crews might demolish a wall or rip out flooring, releasing fibres into the air and exposing everyone in the vicinity.
Testing before work begins allows contractors to identify ACM and plan safe removal or containment. Properly handled, the risk of exposure drops dramatically.
Avoiding Legal and Financial Consequences
Non‑compliance with asbestos regulations can lead to work stoppages, substantial fines or even criminal prosecution. In addition to government penalties, contractors may face lawsuits if workers or clients develop asbestos-related illnesses. Insurance policies often require proof of due diligence, such as an asbestos survey and control plan, before coverage applies.
A hazard alert from SAFE Work Manitoba reinforces this legal responsibility: owners and employers must ensure that buildings built before 1990 have an asbestos inventory and annual inspections. Before demolition, they must ensure a competent consultant has performed the inventory and confirmed the presence or absence of asbestos.
Maintaining Project Efficiency
Discovering asbestos mid‑project can grind work to a halt. Contractors must stop operations, notify authorities, hire an abatement company, and wait for clearance tests. All this causes expensive delays, strains client relationships and erodes profits. By incorporating asbestos testing into the planning phase, contractors can schedule abatement activities, budget appropriately and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Reducing Liabilities and Enhancing Reputation
Contractors who prioritize safety build trust with clients and subcontractors. Demonstrating that you have obtained an asbestos inventory, followed regulations and protected workers from exposure can set your business apart in a competitive marketplace. Conversely, projects marred by asbestos contamination damage reputations and may attract media scrutiny.
Supporting Environmental Responsibility
Asbestos fibres do not just endanger workers; they can contaminate neighboring properties and the wider environment if not contained. Proper testing ensures that waste containing ACM is disposed of in licensed facilities, preventing fibres from entering soil or waterways. Environmental stewardship is increasingly important for both public perception and regulatory compliance.
When Should Contractors Test for Asbestos?
Health Canada and SAFE Work Manitoba recommend testing before any demolition or renovation that could disturb suspect materials. Specific scenarios include:
Full or partial demolition of structures built before 1990.
Major renovations involving removal of walls, ceilings, flooring or insulation.
Mechanical upgrades that disturb ductwork or pipe insulation.
Suspicion of ACM, for example, when you see textured “popcorn” ceilings, 9×9 inch floor tiles or vermiculite insulation.
It’s a prudent practice to assume any building from the mid‑twentieth century contains asbestos unless testing proves otherwise.
How to Conduct Asbestos Testing
Engage a Qualified Professional
Manitoba regulations require that a “competent person” with knowledge, experience and training inspect the work area and prepare the asbestos inventory. This professional will:
Review building plans (if available) and visually inspect for suspect materials.
Collect representative bulk samples from each type of suspect material using safe procedures. Samples must be representative of the material’s composition; for example, a single drywall panel may require multiple samples if different batches were used.
Ensure that dust and debris from sampling are contained and that workers use appropriate PPE.
Health Canada emphasizes hiring a professional to test for asbestos before any renovation.
Do not attempt to collect samples yourself; disturbing ACM without proper controls and training can disperse fibres and contaminate the premises.
Laboratory Analysis
Samples are submitted to an accredited laboratory for analysis. Laboratories accredited under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) or the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation use polarized light microscopy or transmission electron microscopy to identify fibres and determine asbestos type and concentration. Results usually classify materials as:
Positive – asbestos present, with details on type (chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite) and percentage.
Negative – no asbestos detected.
Until negative results are received, treat materials as ACM.
Developing an Asbestos Management Plan and Providing Notice
If testing confirms asbestos, asbestos remediation contractors must develop an asbestos control plan that outlines:
The scope of work and classification (Type 1, 2 or 3).
The method of removal or encapsulation.
Containment measures to prevent fibres from spreading.
PPE requirements and worker training.
Decontamination and disposal procedures.
Air monitoring and clearance testing protocols.
Workplace Safety and Health must be notified at least five days before starting any work that might release asbestos. The plan should be communicated to all workers and subcontractors.
Worker Training and Protective Equipment
Employers must ensure workers receive training in safe work procedures for ACM and are provided with appropriate PPE. SAFE Work Manitoba further specifies that workers using respirators must be fit‑tested and trained. Fit testing ensures the respirator creates an effective seal, a critical safeguard against inhalation of fibres.
After Testing: What Next?
Negative Results
If lab results are negative, contractors may proceed with demolition or renovation. Documentation should be kept with the project files to prove due diligence. Even when results are negative, remain cautious of materials not tested or hidden areas; unforeseen ACM can still surface during construction.
Positive Results
When asbestos is found:
Remove or encapsulate the material: Hire a certified asbestos abatement company to carry out the work in compliance with provincial regulations. Abatement may involve wet removal, glove bag techniques, negative air units and specialized waste disposal bags.
Perform clearance testing: After removal, an independent consultant should conduct air sampling to verify that fibre concentrations are below acceptable limits before the area is re‑occupied.
Update the asbestos inventory: Record the location of remaining ACM, the date of removal and any residual risks. SAFE Work Manitoba advises that annual inspections of known ACM take place.
Document and communicate: Provide the building owner and future contractors with documentation of the abatement work and clearance results.
Ongoing Management
Many buildings will still contain asbestos in non‑friable or inaccessible forms (e.g., pipe insulation in walls). The inventory and management plan should detail these materials and specify how they will be monitored or handled in future work. Annual reassessment and updating of the Asbestos Management Plan are required under federal guidelines.
Practical Tips for Winnipeg Contractors
Budget for testing early: Include asbestos surveys in your initial estimates for projects involving older structures. Clients appreciate transparency about potential costs and risks. Reach out to Relief Restorations for an estimate.
Coordinate with clients: Educate homeowners and property managers about the reasons for testing. Use the opportunity to build trust and demonstrate professionalism.
Work with reputable partners: Choose certified asbestos consultants and abatement contractors with a track record of compliance and quality work. Verify their training and accreditation.
Stay current with regulations: Provincial and federal rules can change; for example, Canada banned the import, sale and use of asbestos and products containing asbestos in 2018. Review updates regularly and consult sources like SAFE Work Manitoba and Workplace Safety and Health.
Maintain accurate records: Keep copies of inventories, lab results, notices to regulators, control plans and training certificates. These documents may be required by insurers, regulators or future property owners.
Protect your workforce: Implement a comprehensive health and safety program that includes asbestos awareness training, regular respirator fit testing and monitoring of occupational exposure. Provide paid time for workers to attend safety courses; their knowledge protects them and your company.
Conclusion
Asbestos may be a relic of the past, but its hidden presence in Winnipeg’s built environment is very much a present danger. For contractors, the risks are twofold: severe health consequences for workers and occupants, and serious legal and financial penalties for failing to comply with regulations. By integrating asbestos testing into every demolition or renovation plan, you safeguard people, meet your legal obligations, avoid costly project delays and enhance your professional reputation.
The process begins with hiring a qualified professional to inspect the building, collect samples and prepare an asbestos inventory. Accredited laboratories confirm whether asbestos is present. When it is, a carefully crafted control plan, proper notification, skilled abatement and clearance testing keep projects safe and compliant. Regular training and fit‑tested PPE protect your workforce.
In a competitive construction market, prioritizing safety isn’t just ethical, it’s good business. Taking the time to identify and manage asbestos before you start swinging a hammer ensures that your projects proceed smoothly, your workers remain healthy and your clients are left with peace of mind. Winnipeg’s heritage buildings will continue to tell their stories, and thanks to responsible contractors, those stories won’t include avoidable health tragedies.
Relief Restorations offers asbestos testing and audit services to the Winnipeg and Manitoba, Canada market.
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At Relief Restorations, we specialize in providing comprehensive mould remediation, water damage restoration, asbestos removal, light demolition, inspection and testing services across Winnipeg and Manitoba, Canada.
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