The City of Abbotsford received an Innovative Safety Solution Award from the BC Municipal Safety Association for an approach to reducing asbestos exposure when crews cut older asbestos-cement pipes.
The City says workers developed a water-suppression attachment to keep the cutting area wet and reduce airborne dust. The process involved prototype testing, field demonstrations, occupational hygiene reviews and consultation with WorkSafeBC.
Third-party monitoring during demonstrations reportedly found no detectable asbestos fibres in the air samples tested, and WorkSafeBC permitted use of the modified tool with its procedure. Those results concern the reported tests, not a guarantee that asbestos work carries no risk. The award highlights an improvement in the maintenance of essential city infrastructure.
Source: City of Abbotsford. Abbotsford Local reporting based on the institution’s published announcement; no independent interview is claimed.
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