Dollar store shuts down due to asbestos risk

The Dollar Tree location in downtown Victoria has been temporarily closed following a recent inspection by WorkSafeBC, because of crumbling floor tiles containing asbestos.

The store was inspected by WorkSafeBC occupational hygiene officer Jason Smit on Feb. 21, according to the subsequent inspection report, a copy of which was obtained by COHSN. The report contained two outstanding orders to the store, one of which was a stop-work order, the other demanding compliance with the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

“Floor tiles, which are described as asbestos-containing, in the building asbestos inventory located in the retail area were found to be in poor (pulverized) condition. Workers are required work in this area,” Smits wrote in the report.

“The employer has not controlled the material by removal, enclosure or encapsulation. Workers access this space and are required to move materials across these floor tiles,” the report continued, stating that the store had violated Section 6.7(1) of the Regulations.

No work will be permitted in the store until Dollar Tree meets the following four conditions:

  • hiring a qualified hazardous-materials consultant to perform a risk assessment regarding the building’s asbestos content;
  • hiring a qualified asbestos-abatement contractor to develop abatement procedures and clean up the risky areas;
  • having a qualified person conduct a final inspection and document that all asbestos is either safely contained or removed; and
  • undergoing a follow-up inspection by Smit.

“The employer must ensure that all friable asbestos-containing materials in the workplace are controlled by removal, enclosure or encapsulation, so as to prevent the release of airborne asbestos fibre,” Smits wrote.

Dollar Tree Canada, the corporation that owns the Victoria store, did not respond to COHSN’s request for comment.

Local media reports have stated that the store has a yellow “Closed” sign on the front window and a metal gate blocking the entrance.

With headquarters in Burnaby, Dollar Tree has more than 200 locations across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. The franchise sells every single item at $1.25, from food and toys to home products and books, according to information from its website.

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