BC OHS &
Abatement Updates
Regulatory updates, WorkSafeBC changes, asbestos industry developments, and occupational health and safety information affecting workers, supervisors, employers, contractors, and property owners throughout British Columbia.
Start by choosing your role, browse current updates, or explore a topic when you need more detailed information.
Asbestos certificate holders must keep their contact information current with WorkSafeBC.
Certificate holders must inform WorkSafeBC when the contact information provided in their certification application changes, including their email address, telephone number, or residential or mailing address.
Select your role
Choose the role that best describes you. We will show useful reference material first, then filter the current updates below to information most relevant to you.
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Quick references for asbestos workers and people who may encounter asbestos-containing materials at work.
Which certificate level do I need?
WorkSafeBC defines the scope of Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level S certificates and the prerequisites for each level.
View WorkSafeBC certificate information →Know when your certificate expires
Asbestos certificates are valid for up to three years. Renewal requirements change if your certificate has been expired for more than 12 months.
Review renewal requirements →WorkSafeBC asbestos learning resources
Review safe work practices, respiratory protection, risk levels, protective clothing, and high-risk asbestos-abatement information.
View the Asbestos Learning Series →Key supervisor references
Level 3 scope of practice
Level 3 certification includes the Level 1 and Level 2 scope and is the certification level for planning, overseeing, and managing asbestos-abatement sites.
Review certification levels →Safe Work Practices for Handling Asbestos
WorkSafeBC provides core safe-work information for asbestos-abatement work in British Columbia.
View WorkSafeBC resource →Know when a Notice of Project is required
Asbestos, lead, and similar hazardous-substance work may require a Notice of Project before work begins.
Review NOP requirements →Employer quick reference
Understand worker certification levels
Review the WorkSafeBC scope of Level 1, 2, 3, and S certificates before assigning asbestos-related work.
Review certificate levels →Asbestos abatement licensing
Employers carrying out asbestos abatement work may require a WorkSafeBC asbestos abatement licence.
Review licensing requirements →Hazardous-substance project notifications
WorkSafeBC requires advance notice for certain asbestos, lead, and other hazardous-substance work activities.
Review Notice of Project requirements →Contractor quick reference
Asbestos Abatement Licence
Review WorkSafeBC licensing requirements, application information, and current asbestos-abatement licence rules.
Review licensing →Notice of Project — Hazardous Substances
Asbestos, lead, and other qualifying hazardous-substance projects may require advance notification to WorkSafeBC.
Submit or review an NOP →10 steps to asbestos-abatement compliance
WorkSafeBC provides a concise reference covering detection and safe removal before renovation or demolition work.
View the 10-step guide →Before you renovate or demolish
If asbestos may be present, knowing what to do before the work starts can protect your family, contractors, and everyone else working on the property.
Have the property tested first
WorkSafeBC advises property owners to have buildings assessed before renovation, demolition, or maintenance work that could disturb asbestos.
Read WorkSafeBC homeowner guidance →Find a licensed asbestos contractor
Use WorkSafeBC's official Asbestos Abatement Licence Registry to verify the contractor you hire.
Search the WorkSafeBC registry →Give the survey report to your contractor
The asbestos survey identifies where asbestos-containing materials are located so affected work can be properly planned before renovation or demolition.
Review the homeowner process →Know what documents you should receive
WorkSafeBC provides homeowner-specific information explaining documentation associated with asbestos abatement work.
View Documentation for Homeowners →Follow the 10-step asbestos guide
WorkSafeBC's 10-step guide explains the basic process before renovation or demolition where asbestos may be present.
View the 10-step guide →Updates that may affect you
Regulatory changes, certification and licensing information, abatement developments, safety advisories, consultations, and other updates relevant to British Columbia.
Certification & licensing quick reference
WorkSafeBC asbestos certificates are valid for up to three years.
Certificate rules →Renewal can generally be completed by passing the appropriate exam without repeating the full training.
Renewal requirements →The full applicable training program and certification exam are required again.
Review recertification →Abatement quick reference
Asbestos, lead, and certain other hazardous-substance work may require advance notice to WorkSafeBC.
Review NOP requirements →WorkSafeBC provides a concise guide to asbestos detection and removal before renovation or demolition.
View the guide →Review WorkSafeBC's core asbestos safe-work-practice information.
View WorkSafeBC resource →Certificate holders must keep their contact information current with WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC has updated the Terms and Conditions of Asbestos Certificates. Certificate holders must report changes to the email address, telephone number, or residential or mailing address provided in their certification application.
WorkSafeBC is changing the online asbestos abatement licence application
WorkSafeBC is releasing an updated asbestos-abatement licence application on August 24. Companies with an unfinished application should submit it by August 23 because unsubmitted application information will not carry over to the new system.
Updated respirator standards are reflected in the B.C. Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
Respirator-related amendments affect selection, user seal checks, records, maintenance, inspections, and referenced respiratory-protection standards.
WorkSafeBC has updated B.C. workplace exposure limits
OHS Policy R5.48-1 and the Table of Exposure Limits for Chemical and Biological Substances were updated to reflect current exposure-limit information.
WorkSafeBC reminds employers to protect workers from wildfire smoke
Employers are being reminded to assess wildfire-smoke risks, monitor changing air quality, modify work where appropriate, and provide suitable respiratory protection where required.
WorkSafeBC is consulting on proposed new OHS Regulation Part 4.1
WorkSafeBC is seeking feedback on proposed requirements relating to psychological health and safety, harassment, and violence.
The essential resources above are still available for your role. Try another topic or select All Updates to see the complete current feed.
Current updates when things change. Essential resources when they don't.
1 Asbestos Academy monitors regulatory, occupational
health and safety, and industry information relevant to
British Columbia workplaces.
Current developments are presented alongside established
WorkSafeBC resources so visitors can find useful information
even when there has not been a recent regulatory change in
their specific area.
Summaries are provided for general information and training
purposes and are not a replacement for the Workers
Compensation Act, Occupational Health and Safety Regulation,
official WorkSafeBC policy or guidance, or another
applicable legal requirement.
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