This week is Global Asbestos Awareness Week. With the start of the week, the Government of Saskatchewan is reminding the public about the province’s Asbestos Registry.
The registry, which was updated and launched in February, has the list and location of public buildings and publicly owned buildings that are known to contain asbestos. This helps to ensure workers who are performing repairs and renovations know about the risks involving asbestos.
“Asbestos-related diseases in the workplace are entirely preventable if people are aware of where asbestos is located and how to handle it safely,” said Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Jim Reiter in the release. “Awareness is the first step in protecting lives.”
The registry includes more than 5,200 buildings. Of those, 73 are located in Weyburn. The registry is completely searchable and can be found on the Government of Saskatchewan website.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that was commonly used in construction until the late 1990s. While it is no longer used in modern building materials, it still exists in many older facilities. When disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers can become airborne and inhaled, leading to long-term health issues. These fibres can lodge in the lungs and, over time, cause conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.