Published on: March 16, 2026

Two years in, these programs are revealing high-risk work and are helping protect workers before exposure to asbestos occurs.

By Alexandra Skinner

Asbestos may be banned from new construction, but it remains a serious and persistent hazard in older buildings across B.C. That legacy risk continues to surface during renovations, maintenance, and demolition — often in places where workers least expect it.

The consequences are profound. Asbestos exposure remains the leading cause of work-related death in the province. Diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma can take decades to develop, making prevention today critical to protecting workers’ long-term health.

In January 2024, the B.C. government introduced a mandatory licensing and certification framework for asbestos abatement work, administered by WorkSafeBC. These programs are revealing the true scale of asbestos abatement in B.C. and tightening accountability across the sector.

Exposing high-risk work

Before licensing, it was difficult to identify who was actively performing asbestos abatement and whether workers were properly trained.

“Licensing and certification have given us a much clearer picture of asbestos work and who is doing it,” says Todd McDonald, head of Prevention Services at WorkSafeBC. “That information allows us to focus enforcement where the risks are highest, to better protect workers.”

Since January 2024, nearly 600 employers have been licensed and more than 11,000 worker certificates have been issued — exceeding early estimates of the size of the industry in B.C.

For employers, this increased visibility means clearer expectations and a more level playing field, as responsible contractors who invest in training and safe work practices are no longer competing against operators who cut corners.

Strengthening accountability on B.C. worksites

Under B.C.’s regulations, building owners and prime contractors must verify that asbestos abatement contractors hold a valid licence before work begins, creating a clear chain of responsibility.

Licensing has also allowed us to track where asbestos work is occurring and conduct targeted inspections when non-compliance or high-risk conditions are identified.

In the first two years of the licensing program, 22 applications were refused and 45 licences were suspended or cancelled, often due to serious safety concerns, ongoing non-compliance, or failure to meet licensing requirements.

WorkSafeBC maintains a public Asbestos Abatement Licence Registry on worksafebc.com, so employers and homeowners can verify valid licences. Since the launch, it has recorded nearly 14,000 visits.

Low burden for employers, high impact for safety

Before launching the licensing program, we consulted industry to ensure the process would be practical for employers.

Most applications take about 20 minutes to complete, with recent data showing an average processing time of 14 days. Licence renewals are processed more quickly, as they focus on ongoing compliance rather than full reassessment.

The result is a streamlined process that supports compliant employers while preventing unsafe or unqualified operators from continuing to perform high-risk asbestos work.

What B.C. employers should take away

Two years in, several themes are clear for B.C. employers:

• Visibility supports prevention. Knowing where asbestos work is occurring allows targeted inspections, early intervention, and resource allocation to where risk is highest.
• Shared responsibility improves compliance. Owners, prime contractors, and licensed employers all have defined roles in verifying qualifications before work begins.
• Certification protects workers. Mandatory training ensures workers understand asbestos hazards and required controls. Ongoing supervision and experience remain essential to safe abatement work.
• Transparency builds confidence. The public registry makes it easier to verify qualifications and reinforces that oversight is active and visible across the province.
• Streamlined regulation reduces friction for employers. Simple application requirements support responsible businesses while limiting continued participation by non-compliant contractors.

A long-term commitment to prevention

Asbestos will remain a workplace hazard in B.C. for decades, requiring sustained oversight and employer and industry engagement. McDonald emphasizes that regulatory approaches must continue to evolve alongside the risks they address.

“Our goal is to support employers and workers by strengthening prevention and protecting worker health,” says McDonald. “By identifying hazards early and ensuring appropriate controls are in place before work begins, today’s efforts will prevent needless deaths in the years ahead.”

Inspection and enforcement initiatives continue to focus on high-risk residential demolition and renovation work, as well as maintenance, repair, or refurbishment work in older commercial buildings where asbestos-containing materials still exist.

We are also evolving the licensing program through engagement with licensed employers and industry stakeholders to ensure the program remains effective, practical, and responsive to emerging risks.

For B.C. employers, the message is clear: licensing, certification, and proactive oversight are practical prevention tools. By understanding their responsibilities and verifying qualifications before work begins, employers play a direct role in reducing asbestos exposure and protecting workers — today and for years to come.

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2026 issue of WorkSafe Magazine.

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