SAFE WORK PRACTICES FOR
ASBESTOS LABORATORIES
DRAFT
February 6, 2008
This draft is posted for public review and comment. Please e-mail any comments to
by April 7, 2008. The content and look of this draft may
change before it is published for general distribution. Please do not distribute this copy
until it has been published in its final form.
,About WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC (the Workers’ Compensation Board) is an independent provincial statutory agency
governed by a Board of Directors. It is funded by insurance premiums paid by registered
employers and by investment returns. In administering the Workers Compensation Act,
WorkSafeBC remains separate and distinct from government; however, it is accountable to the
public through government in its role of protecting and maintaining the overall well-being of the
workers’ compensation system.
WorkSafeBC was born out of a compromise between B.C.’s workers and employers in 1917
where workers gave up the right to sue their employers or fellow workers for injuries on the job
in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. WorkSafeBC is
committed to a safe and healthy workplace, and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and
legislated compensation benefits to workers injured as a result of their employment.
WorkSafeBC Prevention Information Line
The WorkSafeBC Prevention Information Line can answer your questions about workplace
health and safety, worker and employer responsibilities, and reporting a workplace accident or
incident. The Prevention Information Line accepts anonymous calls.
Phone 604 276-3100 in the Lower Mainland, or call 1 888 621-7233 (621-SAFE) toll-free in
British Columbia.
To report after-hours and weekend accidents and emergencies, call 604 273-7711 in the Lower
Mainland, or call 1 866 922-4357 (WCB-HELP) toll-free in British Columbia.
, SAFE WORK PRACTICES FOR
ASBESTOS LABORATORIES
, WorkSafeBC Publications
Many publications are available on the WorkSafeBC web site. The Occupational Health and
Safety Regulation and associated policies and guidelines, as well as excerpts and summaries of
the Workers Compensation Act, are also available on the web site: WorkSafeBC.com
Some publications are also available for purchase in print:
Phone: 604 232-9704
Toll-free phone: 1 866 319-9704
Fax: 604 232-9703
Toll-free fax: 1 888 232-9714
Online ordering: WorkSafeBC.com and click on Publications; follow the links for ordering
© 2008 Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia. All rights reserved. The Workers’
Compensation Board of B.C. encourages the copying, reproduction, and distribution of this
document to promote health and safety in the workplace, provided that the Workers’
Compensation Board of B.C. is acknowledged. However, no part of this publication may be
copied, reproduced, or distributed for profit or other commercial enterprise, nor may any part be
incorporated into any other publication, without written permission of the Workers’
Compensation Board of B.C.
Safe Work Practices for Asbestos Laboratories
ii
ASBESTOS LABORATORIES
DRAFT
February 6, 2008
This draft is posted for public review and comment. Please e-mail any comments to
by April 7, 2008. The content and look of this draft may
change before it is published for general distribution. Please do not distribute this copy
until it has been published in its final form.
,About WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC (the Workers’ Compensation Board) is an independent provincial statutory agency
governed by a Board of Directors. It is funded by insurance premiums paid by registered
employers and by investment returns. In administering the Workers Compensation Act,
WorkSafeBC remains separate and distinct from government; however, it is accountable to the
public through government in its role of protecting and maintaining the overall well-being of the
workers’ compensation system.
WorkSafeBC was born out of a compromise between B.C.’s workers and employers in 1917
where workers gave up the right to sue their employers or fellow workers for injuries on the job
in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. WorkSafeBC is
committed to a safe and healthy workplace, and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and
legislated compensation benefits to workers injured as a result of their employment.
WorkSafeBC Prevention Information Line
The WorkSafeBC Prevention Information Line can answer your questions about workplace
health and safety, worker and employer responsibilities, and reporting a workplace accident or
incident. The Prevention Information Line accepts anonymous calls.
Phone 604 276-3100 in the Lower Mainland, or call 1 888 621-7233 (621-SAFE) toll-free in
British Columbia.
To report after-hours and weekend accidents and emergencies, call 604 273-7711 in the Lower
Mainland, or call 1 866 922-4357 (WCB-HELP) toll-free in British Columbia.
, SAFE WORK PRACTICES FOR
ASBESTOS LABORATORIES
, WorkSafeBC Publications
Many publications are available on the WorkSafeBC web site. The Occupational Health and
Safety Regulation and associated policies and guidelines, as well as excerpts and summaries of
the Workers Compensation Act, are also available on the web site: WorkSafeBC.com
Some publications are also available for purchase in print:
Phone: 604 232-9704
Toll-free phone: 1 866 319-9704
Fax: 604 232-9703
Toll-free fax: 1 888 232-9714
Online ordering: WorkSafeBC.com and click on Publications; follow the links for ordering
© 2008 Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia. All rights reserved. The Workers’
Compensation Board of B.C. encourages the copying, reproduction, and distribution of this
document to promote health and safety in the workplace, provided that the Workers’
Compensation Board of B.C. is acknowledged. However, no part of this publication may be
copied, reproduced, or distributed for profit or other commercial enterprise, nor may any part be
incorporated into any other publication, without written permission of the Workers’
Compensation Board of B.C.
Safe Work Practices for Asbestos Laboratories
ii
