Despite what some may think, asbestos is not a thing of the past in Canada. In fact, it is found in many homes, schools, hospitals, manufacturing facilities, and offices in Ontario. In October of 2018, Canada began the process of phasing out the use of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in Canada – a process that will only be completed by the end of December 2029.
However, that only stops the introduction of new asbestos products to Canada. It does not eliminate this harmful substance from buildings that already exist. This means workers, particularly those who repair, renovate, and demolish structures in Ontario, are at continued risk of asbestos exposure. This calls for asbestos abatement training and respiratory protection, which we will get to later.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral, a naturally occurring substance, found in rock. It has a fine, hair-like appearance and is friable, meaning it easily breaks apart when handled. Found around the world, sometimes in large quantities, it is readily available and cheap to extract compared to other commodity minerals.
For thousands of years, asbestos has been added to man-made products to increase their durability. Since it does not burn, it has been a popular material for insulation and fireproofing in modern buildings.
When handled, asbestos breaks up into tiny particles, possibly smaller than a human hair, and can easily be inhaled by unprotected workers. These inhaled particles can stick in the lungs, causing damage. Over time, the exposure can cause permanent scarring and, in some cases, cancer and other potentially lethal diseases.
The good news is that exposure can be prevented with proper respirator fit testing. Professional fit testers can help you figure out the right-sized mask for your face, so you can minimize exposure to harmful asbestos particles on your jobsite.
Regulations for asbestos work
Due to the high risks associated with asbestos exposure, the Ontario government classifies asbestos as a Designated Substance (there are only 11 designated substances), and has developed strict regulations for asbestos on construction projects and repairs (Ontario Regulation 278/05).
This regulation includes the requirements for work carried out on ACMs and the controls that must be put in place to protect workers. While some controls help prevent the spread of dangerous asbestos dust to other parts of the workplace, the workers in the hazard zone can only be protected by the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
This PPE includes the use of a full body suit, suitable work boots, and respiratory protection as required by the regulations. The exact PPE requirements are based not only on the type of asbestos operation, but also on what engineering controls have been put in place. Certain employers might also mandate asbestos abatement training for all of their workers.
Types of respirators
Depending on the exact nature of the asbestos work and choice of engineering controls, there are two main categories of respirators used during asbestos operations: air purifying respirators and supplied air respirators.
Air purifying respirators are equipped with filtering cartridges that remove contaminants from the air, while supplied air respirators are connected to a source of clean, fresh air by a hose. Both of these types of respirators have styles that either cover the whole face or just the nose and mouth.
In Canada, all respirators used in asbestos operations must be approved by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and must be fit tested to ensure they are the correct size for the worker wearing them. Respirators are selected based on the requirements of Table 2 in Ontario Regulation 278/05 as shown below:
| Work Category | Respirator required | |
| Type 1 Operations | ||
| For all Type 1 operations as described in section 12 (2)of O.Reg 278.02, when the worker requests PPE, it must be provided by the employer. | Air purifying half mask respirator with N-100, R-100, or P-100 cartridges. | |
| Type 2 Operations | ||
| Removing parts of a ceiling to obtain access to a work area where there is likely to be asbestos-containing material lying on top of the false ceiling as described in O. Reg 278/05 Section 12 (3) paragraph 1. | One of the following
| |
| Breaking, cutting, drilling, abrading, grinding, sanding, or vibrating a non-friable ACM with a power tool attached to a dust-collecting device equipped with a HEPA filter as described in O.Reg 278/05 section 12 (3) paragraph 8. | Material is not wetted. | One of the following
|
| Material is wetted to contain dust and prevent spreading. | Air purifying half mask respirator with N-100, R-100, or P-100 cartridges. | |
| All other Type 2 operations as described in O.Reg 278/05 section 12 (3) paragraphs 2 to 7 and 9 to 11. | Air purifying half mask respirator with N-100, R-100, or P-100 cartridges. | |
| Type 3 Operations | ||
| Breaking, cutting, drilling, abrading, grinding, sanding, or vibrating a non-friable ACM with a power tool as described in O.Reg 278/05 section 12 (4) paragraph 5. | Material is not wetted. | Pressure demand supplied air respirator equipped with a half mask. |
| Material is wetted to contain dust and prevent spreading. | One of the following
| |
| Working with a friable ACM as specified in O.Reg 278/05 Paragraphs 1 to 4 and 6. | Material is not wetted. | Pressure demand supplied air respirator equipped with a full facepiece. |
| Working with a friable ACM as specified in O.Reg 278/05 Paragraphs 1 to 4 and 6 that contains only chrysotile. | Material is wetted or sprayed to contain dust and prevent spreading. | Pressure demand supplied air respirator equipped with a full facepiece. |
| Working with a friable ACM as specified in O.Reg 278/05 Paragraphs 1 to 4 and 6 that contains a non-chrysotile type of asbestos. | Material is wetted or sprayed to contain dust and prevent spreading. | One of the following:
|
| Work with a friable ACM as described in O.Reg 278/05 Paragraphs 1 to 4 and 6 | Material was not spray applied or installed and is wetted to control the spread of dust | One of the following:
|
As is evident, finding the perfect respirator mask can be a highly technical and difficult process. It is best to search for respirator fit testing near me and seek professional help for the same.
Types of filters and cartridges
When using air purifying respirators, cartridges must be properly selected. The three main types are:
- Cartridges that remove particles
- Cartridges that remove chemical vapors
- Combination cartridges that remove both
For asbestos work, typically a particle filter is sufficient. Combination filters are only needed when there is a need for workers to be protected from a chemical vapour as well as particles like asbestos.
Using a cartridge that only filters out chemical vapours will not protect workers from asbestos dust. A job hazard analysis must be conducted to determine the need for additional chemical protection, as well as to identify if the respiratory protective filters or cartridges must also be resistant to oil. Accordingly, if oil is identified as present in the workplace, particulate filters are selected as follows:
- N – series is not resistant to oil
- R – series is resistant to oil
- P – series is oil-proof
If oil particles are present and the filters will be used for more than one shift, ‘P’ series filters must be used.
Regardless of oil resistance, only respirators equipped with a “100” efficiency rating can be used in asbestos operations. This means that when tested, the respiratory filter must remove 99.97% of particles. This is different from the “95” efficiency rating for respirators like the popular N95 respirators used in health care settings, which, in testing, filter 95% of particles.
Using respirators safely and effectively
Even when a respirator is NIOSH approved and equipped with the proper filters or cartridges, wearing the ideal respirator should be based on the results of a risk assessment on the type of task administered.
For a respirator to effectively protect a worker from hazards like asbestos dust, it is critical that the respirators and filters be used correctly. While a respirator may be approved by NIOSH and equipped with the proper filters, it can still leak if it doesn't fit correctly.
To ensure a proper fit, the correct respirator for the job and face must be chosen. Different jobs require different types of respirators, and respirators come in various sizes and styles. Workers must also be clean-shaven, as facial hair can prevent a tight seal, an important criterion to avoid hazard exposure. To confirm that the respirator is the right size and fits the face properly, a fit test is required in accordance with the CSA standard Z94.4 Selection, Care and Use of Respirators.
Proper respirator fit testing is also critical for respirator users. Without it, a worker might mistakenly believe they are protected when they may still be exposed to a hazard. Asbestos abatement training can help educate workers about the risk of exposure so they can understand the importance of protecting themselves.
Conclusion
Ready to take the next step forward in asbestos protection? Act First Safety offers the best respirator fit testing program in Scarborough, Ontario. Providing both theoretical and practical knowledge, our course is geared towards helping your crew realize the significance of proper respiratory protection while enabling them to find their perfect fit. Contact us to get respiratory fit testing as well as asbestos abatement training for your team.
