Ontario Regulation 278/05 establishes requirements for asbestos-related work in buildings, including procedures intended to control asbestos exposure during certain construction, demolition, repair, and maintenance activities. For Toronto homeowners planning renovations, understanding the regulation helps explain why asbestos testing in Toronto may be recommended before work begins and why asbestos removal in Toronto involves specific procedures rather than ordinary demolition.
Why Ontario Has Specific Rules for Asbestos Work
Asbestos was used in many building products because of its heat resistance and durability. It can still be present in older homes, including materials that have remained concealed for decades.
The concern arises when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, and fibres become airborne.
O. Reg. 278/05, made under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act, establishes requirements for specified asbestos-related operations and for managing asbestos-containing materials in buildings.
For homeowners, the important distinction is that a material's presence and the work being performed on it are separate considerations.
The Three Types of Asbestos Operations
The regulation categorizes asbestos operations as Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3.
These categories are based on the nature of the work, the asbestos-containing material, and the potential for exposure.
- Type 1 operations generally involve specified lower-risk activities with prescribed precautions.
- Type 2 operations require additional controls for activities that present greater potential for asbestos exposure.
- Type 3 operations involve work requiring more extensive protective procedures, which can include enclosures, negative air pressure, and other controls.
The category cannot be determined simply by the size of a renovation. The specific activity and material must be considered.
A Bathroom Renovation Example
Suppose you plan to renovate a bathroom in an older Toronto home.
The project may involve removing flooring, opening walls, replacing plumbing, and disturbing ceiling finishes. Some of these materials could potentially contain asbestos.
Before demolition begins, suspect materials should be identified and assessed where required. If asbestos is confirmed, the contractor must determine the applicable requirements before disturbing the material.
Simply covering a suspect material with plastic or wearing a dust mask does not establish compliance with the regulation.
Responsibilities Before Work Begins
Homeowners should discuss suspected asbestos with their contractor before approving demolition.
Depending on the project and applicable legal duties, owners, constructors, employers, and contractors may have responsibilities involving asbestos information, worker protection, and required work procedures.
The regulation also contains provisions relating to asbestos records, notification, training, and other requirements in applicable circumstances.
For that reason, a renovation contractor should not treat asbestos as an ordinary construction debris issue.
Testing Helps Determine What Rules Apply
Not every older building material contains asbestos. Professional asbestos testing in Toronto can establish whether suspect materials contain asbestos before they are disturbed. This information helps determine whether asbestos-specific work procedures are necessary.
Get DSS Reports and an Asbestos Inspection with Inch By Inch Inspections
Where confirmed asbestos must be disturbed or removed, asbestos removal in Toronto should be planned according to the applicable requirements and operation classification.
At Inch by Inch Inspections, we help property owners investigate suspect materials so renovation decisions are based on documented findings rather than assumptions.
For more detail about how surveys affect renovation planning, see our article on designated substance surveys and the handling of asbestos-containing materials.
