Furthermore, you can view the full post by clicking on the title of each article.

Winter and Spring Blog Recap.

Jan – Chilliwack Excavation Company & Flood Damage

Flooding impacted British Columbians from all over the province in early 2022. Subsequently, the damage that occurred due to the floods in the fall of 2021 continued to burden residents of affected areas. Check out this article to learn about how we restore water-damaged properties. 

Feb – Chilliwack Mould Removal Services!

In order to successfully eradicate mould after flooding, it is best to bring in a professional. Having an expert remove the mould will ensure that health and safety risks are minimized. Learn more about Chilliwack mould removal services and why you need an expert, here!

Mar – Reasons You Have Household Mould.

Mould is a common threat to many households across the globe. If you discover mould in your home, finding the root cause is essential. Mould can grow in a number of different conditions. However, it is most favourable to moisture. Learn about the most common ways mould growth occurs in a household setting, here!

Apr – What Does an Okanagan Excavation Company Do?

Have you ever wondered what kind of jobs an Okanagan excavation company partakes in? If yes, we have put together an article explaining our purpose as an excavation company. Many people assume that excavation is simply a matter of digging holes in the ground. However, excavation companies do much more than just carve out holes.

May – Checking for Mould in a New Home: Mould Removal in the Okanagan

If you are looking to purchase a new home, it is important that you are on the lookout for mould. Mould growth is a common issue that can cause all sorts of problems. Additionally, at SWIPE, we specialize in mould removal in the Okanagan. Learn more about what signs to look for when viewing a new home, here. 

Summer & Fall Blog Recap from your Okanagan Demolition Company!

June – Sorting Used Materials With a Demolition Contractor in Kelowna

After a structure has been demolished, there will be a large volume of debris that needs to be dealt with. However, all of the debris cannot be grouped together and disposed of. This is because all construction materials need to be discarded differently. In this article, we took a look at how a demolition contractor in Kelowna separates debris.

July – Protecting Workers From Asbestos in Kamloops

When working with asbestos in Kamloops it is crucial that all workers are protected. Asbestos poses major health risks to the human body. For more information on how to protect employees from asbestos in the workplace, read this blog post.

Aug – Preventing Okanagan Mould Removal in a Heat Wave.

During a heat wave, it is important that homeowners take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their homes from needing Okanagan mould removal. If you are interested in learning more about mould prevention during a heat wave, check out this article. 

Sept – Kamloops Mould Removal – Household Tips.

In this article, we went over some commonly neglected household places mould likes to grow. We will also cover what to do if you find mould. Take a read-through, if you haven’t already!

Oct – Common Myths About Demolition in Kamloops

Like every industry, demolition certainly has its misconceptions. Demolition often gets painted as reckless and unsafe. However, the reality is that demolition is actually completely safe and has an important place within society. 

Nov – Staying Neighbourly During Demolition in the Okanagan.

If you make the decision to have demolition in the Okanagan, it is your job to ensure that your neighbours are well-prepared. In this article, we went over how to remain neighbourly during a demolition project. 

Contact Your Okanagan Demolition Company Today!

We want to thank all of our clients for another successful year in removing asbestos and mould from houses and workplaces. In addition to, safely demolishing and excavating structures. Be sure to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about your Okanagan demolition company. We’d be happy to help you solve your biggest asbestos, mould, excavation, and demolition problems. Moreover, check back with us in the new year for more helpful blog content. We look forward to working with you in 2023. Happy holidays!

The post Okanagan Demolition Company – Yearly Blog Summary! appeared first on Swipe Contracting Ltd..

What Are the Basics of Working With Asbestos in Kamloops?

In order to best protect workers from asbestos exposure, they must first be trained in a variety of areas. For instance, anyone who is going to be working with asbestos must understand all of the risks associated with handling asbestos-containing materials (ACM). Moreover, workers need to know how to identify ACM in the workplace. In addition to this, they must understand what personal hygiene is necessary in order to protect themselves from exposure. As well as, what protective gear should be worn and how to take care of it after it has been used. Lastly, workers should be aware of the proper disposal procedures for ACM and take health monitoring for asbestos-related health issues seriously. 

Depending on what province/territory you are located in, these regulations will differ. For exact requirements on protective equipment and disposal procedures, check with your local jurisdiction. In some locations, a training certificate is required to work with ACM. 

Avoid Inhaling Asbestos & Have Regular Monitoring Done!

When working with asbestos it is important to avoid inhalation of any ACM. Workers need to wear the correct gear in order to protect themselves. If workers do not have the correct equipment, employers should establish a program to ensure all employees have access to proper protective equipment. Respirators are a mandatory requirement when working with asbestos. They need to be provided for all employees who may come into contact with ACM. Respirators need to fit the worker properly and be in good working order. They must also be cleaned and disinfected regularly to ensure safe use. 

Furthermore, protective clothing must also be worn and should prevent the penetration of any ACM. Moreover, the clothing needs to cover all body parts and fit tightly around any areas where ACM could get under the garment. All personal protective equipment needs to be stored in a clean and sanitary location when it is not being used.  

Good Practices to Follow When Working With Asbestos?

When working with asbestos it is important to develop certain practices to keep employees safe. One of the most important rules of working in an environment with asbestos is to always wear proper personal protective equipment! Without this, serious medical conditions can be developed. Additionally, it is vital that workers do not eat, smoke, drink, chew gum, or use cosmetic products in an asbestos-regulated area. 

ACM must be kept wet to ensure dust is kept at bay. Any dust that is prevalent needs to be vacuumed with the addition of a HEPA filter. After work, employees must properly dispose of their protective clothing. If the clothing is not single-use, it needs to be decontaminated using a HEPA filter. Failure to do so can end up harming those in your household – including pets. If you have the option, showering at work can help significantly reduce outsider exposure to ACM. Workers with immune-compromised family members or housemates should proceed with added caution. 

Asbestos must be properly disposed of in order to prevent exposure in other settings. Waste and dust should be placed into a container that cannot be penetrated by the asbestos fibres. In addition, containers must be labeled to notify others that there is ACM inside and it should not be inhaled. 

Contact Us About Removing Asbestos in Kamloops.

Proper protocol must be followed by those working with asbestos in Kamloops. In order to prevent health complications and workplace hazards, it is crucial that employees are properly equipped and trained. For help with removing asbestos in Kamloops, contact us today. We’d be happy to help you during the demolition process. If you have any questions regarding asbestos, feel free to reach out. We look forward to working with you in the near future. 

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Just over 3 years ago to this date, a government news release came out. In it, detailed the final step for the discontinuation of asbestos use and asbestos-containing products. These new amendments were to go into effect on December 30th, 2018. However, it appears as though Canadian government officials may have overlooked a loophole. 

In July, a letter was addressed to the Environment and Climate Change Canada. A letter was sent on behalf of several professional groups. These groups included the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Friends of the Earth Canada, and various other professionals because they were concerned about the present sale of asbestos-containing products. According to their research, they had found a number of people still listing asbestos products on e-commerce sites like eBay.

This quote was taken from the aforementioned letter. Shockingly, “Canada’s Regulations prohibiting the sale of asbestos and asbestos-containing products do not apply to items being sold today that have been used prior to December 30, 2018”. It details how the 2018 policy of asbestos discontinuation does not apply to products created before the 30th of December in that year. Meaning that, until this loophole is amended, people can continue to circulate asbestos products. 

Okanagan Asbestos Services is Here to Save the Day!

As we discussed in a previous article, asbestos has had a long history in Canada. This mineral birthed massive mines dedicated to harvesting. The asbestos business boomed on the East Coast of Canada; primarily, in Quebec. It was used in the manufacturing of tons of goods. For instance, oven mitts, insulation, vehicle parts, and more. The material was used because of its fire-retardant properties and durability. If you’d like to learn more about this lengthy chapter on asbestos in Canada click the link above.

However, these products are now known to cause very serious illnesses. Doctors have advised that asbestos exposure can cause lung diseases like asbestosis, a rare form of lung cancer – mesothelioma, and other serious respiratory complications. Asbestos is the leading cause of death related to the workplace in Canada.

People are prohibited from using, selling, and importing asbestos mineral due to the latest ban. In addition to, the use of it in products, the importing of asbestos-containing producing and sale/use of asbestos products. Despite this, and the extensive health risks, there are exceptions.

Exemptions of the 2018 ban:

• Any structure or product already containing asbestos 
• Chlor-alkali industry until 2030
• Road infrastructure
• Military use until 2029
• Nuclear facilities until 2029

This means that products manufactured and used before the 30th of December in 2018 are fair game for the public. They can be bought, sold, and used legally. As a long-time Okanagan asbestos services provider, we are appalled by such news. 

Contact Us For Reliable Okanagan Asbestos Services.

It’s worth researching how older products in your home are manufactured. Especially, to determine if they could cause harm. It could drastically change the future of your health and ensure that you avoid coming into frequent contact with asbestos. If you or a family member suspects there is asbestos in your home or workplace, contact us today. We are happy to come to assess the location and ensure your peace of mind. For more information don’t hesitate to reach out to us. It’s our duty to guarantee the safe removal of asbestos and mould. We look forward to helping you out soon!

The post Okanagan Asbestos Services Appalled At Breaking Asbestos News. appeared first on Swipe Contracting Ltd..