Quebec Employers Now Required To Take Action On Asbestos

Recent amendments to the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety (the Regulation) came into force in Quebec on June 6, 2013. Asbestos is a recognized carcinogen that presents considerable health risks to those who are exposed to it. While the new amendments are not the first attempt to regulate exposure to asbestos, they represent an increased effort to establish more uniform practices.

The Regulation generally places the onus on the employer (not the property owner) to comply with the new rules. Employers have several new responsibilities:

1. Duty to Inspect: An employer must inspect certain buildings (depending on their construction date) under its authority to locate asbestos containing materials. This inspections must be repeated every two years.