Asbestos Abatement Update
Since 1987, the University of Regina has committed significant time and resources to asbestos mitigation efforts on-campus in order to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff. That work remains ongoing in 2019 and on behalf of Facilities Management and your Health Safety & Wellness team, we would like to provide you with an update on our progress so far, and what remains to be done.
Prior to 1985, asbestos was used extensively in building construction, including in many of the buildings here on campus. Since that time, asbestos has been linked to a number of potentially serious health problems. It is critical to note, however, that asbestos fibers are only considered hazardous if and when they are disturbed, become airborne, and are subsequently inhaled.
The University began taking action in 1987, with a comprehensive abatement effort to safely remove any asbestos containing material (ACM) that may have posed a potential risk. The tracking of ACM locations across campus moved to an electronic database system in 2012, in conjunction with a full assessment of buildings constructed prior to 1985. A follow-up assessment was completed in 2018 which updated our inventory of asbestos and confirmed that the areas of greatest concern had all been safely dealt with through abatement. That most recent assessment was expanded to include buildings constructed prior to 1990, as per updated Health Canada guidelines.
Major renovations to the College Avenue Campus Building, College West, and the Lab Building have resulted in the removal of most, if not all, ACM. Renovations to Darke Hall, expected to be completed in early 2021, will also remove ACM from this venue. More than 91,000 square feet of ceiling tiles in the Education Building have been removed; a slightly larger area than a regulation Canadian football field!
The focus now is on encapsulating or sealing any remaining asbestos containing material until such time as it can be removed through future renovations. This industry-standard process is considered safe and work has already started in areas of the Education Building, and will continue in other locations until all ACM has been abated. Faculty and staff who work in these areas will be notified directly prior to the work commencing.
When it comes to asbestos management, the University of Regina is governed by the Saskatchewan Employment Act and Occupational Health and Safety regulations. We can assure you that the University has gone above and beyond what is required in the regulations; work crews are specially trained and certified in working with asbestos. Utilizing the assessments, they track every location on-campus that contains asbestos and update their database accordingly. They also conduct regular air sampling and monitoring.
The University’s number one priority has always been, and continues to be, the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff, as well as visitors to campus. Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we continue working to keep you safe.
If you feel you may have been exposed to asbestos at some point, you are encouraged to complete an Incident Report Form here: uregina.ca/incident report. Please follow the instructions for completing and submitting the Incident Report and a member of the Health, Safety and Wellness team will be in contact with you.
Neil Paskewitz, Associate Vice-President
Facilities Management
Darren Cherwaty, Director
Health, Safety & Wellness
If you have a question, please contact:
Darren Cherwaty, Director - Health, Safety & Wellness
darren.cherwaty@uregina.ca or health.safety@uregina.ca
or
Kerry Cooper, Industrial Safety Advisor - Health, Safety & Wellness
kerry.cooper@uregina.ca or health.safety@uregina.ca
U of R Asbestos Management Procedures (190 KB) 
Asbestos Inventory - Department of Labour Report (209 KB)