Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) - Canada (Ratification: 1988)

Article 14 of the Convention. Adequate labelling of containers and products. In its previous comment, the Committee noted that the information provided by the Government regarding labelling of hazardous products referred only to domestic labelling requirements and practices, and the transportation of dangerous goods. In this regard, the Committee notes that the Hazardous Products Regulations which came into force on 11 February 2015 modified the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 1988 to incorporate the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). With reference to its observation noting the proposed regulations to ban asbestos products, the Committee notes that the consultation document on the proposed regulations indicates that sale of asbestos and products containing asbestos that were manufactured or imported prior to the coming into force of the regulations would continue to be subject to applicable laws and requirements under Occupational Health and Safety legislation and the WHMIS.

Article 17(2). Protection of workers and limiting the release of asbestos dust in the context of demolition work. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the information provided by the Government concerning the application of Article 17(2) with respect to Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan. In this regard, the Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report on the measures in place in Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, and the developments underway in Manitoba and Alberta, to give further effect to Article 17(2) of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on measures taken, including in the provinces of Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island as well as the territories, to ensure the obligation of employers or contractors to establish a work plan prior to the undertaking of demolition work in accordance with this provision of the Convention.

Article 21. Notification of occupational diseases caused by asbestos and application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government concerning compensated asbestos-related time-loss injuries and fatalities for the period of 2011–13. The Committee notes that there were 438 asbestos-related injuries and 1,153 asbestos-related fatalities compensated by the Canadian Workers’ Compensation Boards, among which mesothelioma and asbestosis were the most recorded injuries and fatalities. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of asbestos-related injuries and fatalities disaggregated by year.