WorkSafeBC has shut down 30 job sites in the Lower Mainland so far this year for violations related to the improper removal of asbestos from older homes undergoing renovation or demolition.

"It's a big issue," said Al Johnson, regional director of construction for WorkSafeBC. "If you don't remove hazardous materials, including asbestos, before you demolish, people can be exposed."

WorkSafeBC has a newly dedicated team of about 10 inspectors who are tackling the problem in the region, working with municipalities issuing demolition permits. "We go to those sites to make sure the asbestos is taken out first," said Johnson, noting both workers and homeowners are potentially at risk.

WorkSafeBC statistics from last year show the problem of asbestos is not exclusive to home demolition.

Corporate offenders included the Salvation Army in Mission, fined $28,946 for infractions such as failing to investigate a worker's suspicions that the mechanical room contained loose asbestos, and BC Ferries in Port McNeill, fined $15,000 for failure to post signs identifying asbestos-containing materials on one of its vessels.

A $2,500 fine to Nystar Developments Corp. in Vancouver included the comment: "Ten of this firm's workers were removing asbestos-containing materials from a demolition site without following the proper procedures and without using appropriate personal protective equipment. The firm failed to ensure that the asbestos-containing materials identified in the work site's hazardous materials survey were safely contained and removed."