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Canada Asbestos Environmental Reporting Software

Canada Asbestos Reporting Software

Yes! ispecX meets Canadian reporting requirements for asbestos compliance.

Our asbestos management module supports Canadian employers, inspectors, and consultants in meeting the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (COHSR), the Canada Labour Code (Part II), and applicable provincial/territorial regulations, while streamlining documentation and reporting.

Key Federal Regulations

Canada Labour Code, Part II
Employers are required to protect the health and safety of employees, including controlling hazardous substances such as asbestos.
Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (COHSR), Part X – Hazardous Substances
- Section 10.4 – Hazard Investigations
  A qualified person must conduct a hazard investigation before disturbing suspected ACM. Representative bulk samples must be collected in accordance with NIOSH Method 9002 (or equivalent).
- Section 10.19 – Air Sampling
  Clearance sampling must confirm airborne asbestos fibre concentrations inside an enclosure are below limits before dismantling a containment system.
- Section 10.26.2(d) – Control of Friable ACM
  Employers must ensure friable ACM “present in the workplace” is controlled by removal, enclosure, encapsulation, or another effective method.
- Section 10.26.10 – Clearance Air Sampling Results
  Employers must post clearance results within 24 hours and provide copies to workplace committees, health and safety representatives, and the Minister.

Provincial and Territorial Regulations

While COHSR applies to federally regulated workplaces (federal buildings, banks, airports, telecom, etc.), each province/territory also regulates asbestos:

British Columbia – WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation Part 6 (Asbestos)
Alberta – OHS Code Part 4 & Part 20
Saskatchewan – Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 (Asbestos sections)
Manitoba – Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Part 37 (Asbestos)
Ontario – O. Reg. 278/05: Designated Substance — Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations
Quebec – Regulation respecting occupational health and safety, Division XII (Asbestos)
Nova Scotia – Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, Part 24
New Brunswick – OHS General Regulation 91-191 (Asbestos)
Newfoundland & Labrador – OHS Regulations, Part VIII
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon – Adopt national OHS regulations with territorial provisions

ispecX Features for Canadian Compliance

Automated Hazard Investigation Forms – Ensures compliance with COHSR 10.4 and provincial sampling protocols.
Sampling Data Integration – Supports NIOSH 9002 and provincial asbestos lab reporting standards.
Risk Assessment Automation – Automatically flags ACM ≥1% and triggers mandatory asbestos risk assessments.
Clearance Report Management – Generate, post, and distribute results within the 24-hour COHSR timeline.
Condition Monitoring – Schedule inspections, log ACM condition, and document enclosure/encapsulation actions.

Why Conduct an Asbestos Survey?

Surveys ensure that asbestos-containing materials are identified, evaluated, and either maintained safely or removed. They help employers:

Protect workers, building occupants, and the public.
Comply with federal and provincial asbestos regulations.
Avoid legal penalties, project delays, and liability claims.

✅ With ispecX, Canadian inspectors and employers gain a nationally compliant, cloud-based platform for asbestos surveys, risk assessments, clearance testing, and reporting.

Regulation / Requirement	Jurisdiction	Key Obligation	How ispecX Supports Compliance
COHSR Section 10.4 – Hazard Investigation	Federal (Canada Labour Code, Part II)	A qualified person must investigate suspected ACM and collect representative bulk samples (NIOSH 9002 or equivalent).	Guided hazard investigation forms ensure proper documentation; integrates bulk sampling workflows and lab results.
COHSR Section 10.19 – Air Sampling	Federal	Clearance sampling must confirm airborne asbestos fibres inside an enclosure are below limits before dismantling containment.	Automated clearance checklists; integrates air sample data; generates clearance certificates.
COHSR Section 10.26.2(d) – Control of Friable ACM	Federal	Employers must remove, enclose, encapsulate, or otherwise control friable ACM accessible to employees.	Condition tracking of ACM; scheduled inspection reminders; reporting on removal, enclosure, or encapsulation actions.
COHSR Section 10.26.10 – Posting of Clearance Results	Federal	Clearance air sampling results must be posted within 24 hours and provided to workplace committees, H&S reps, and the Minister.	One-click clearance report generation; automatic posting & sharing via cloud portal; document timestamping.
O. Reg. 278/05 – Ontario Asbestos Regulation	Ontario	Requires asbestos surveys, bulk sampling, reporting of designated substances, and asbestos management plans.	Customizable survey templates; asbestos inventory database; automated asbestos management plan creation.
WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation, Part 6 – Asbestos	British Columbia	ACM surveys required before demolition/renovation; asbestos exposure control plans must be in place.	Pre-demolition survey forms; exposure control plan templates; offline & online reporting for field work.
Alberta OHS Code, Part 4 & 20	Alberta	Employers must identify ACM, assess risk, and implement controls; asbestos abatement code of practice applies.	Risk assessment automation; abatement project documentation tools; compliance checklists.
Quebec OHS Regulation, Division XII (Asbestos)	Quebec	Requires asbestos exposure monitoring, risk assessments, and control programs.	Air monitoring logs; integrated risk assessment tools; condition tracking with alerts.
Nova Scotia WHS Regulations, Part 24	Nova Scotia	Requires asbestos surveys, safe work procedures, and clearance testing after abatement.	Survey templates; safe work procedure libraries; clearance report automation.
Other Provinces/Territories	National Coverage	Similar asbestos survey, risk assessment, and control obligations under OHS Acts/Regs.	Fully adaptable templates; national regulatory references; centralized cloud storage for multi-jurisdictional compliance.

Canada Asbestos Reporting FAQ

Q1: Does ispecX meet Canadian federal asbestos regulations?
Yes. iSpecX aligns with the Canada Labour Code, Part II and COHSR Part X – Hazardous Substances, including hazard investigations (s.10.4), air sampling (s.10.19), friable ACM control (s.10.26.2), and posting clearance results within 24 hours (s.10.26.10).

Q2: What about provincial and territorial asbestos laws?
ispecX can be customized for all provinces and territories. For example:

Ontario (O. Reg. 278/05) – asbestos survey and management plan reporting.
BC (WorkSafeBC Part 6) – demolition/renovation asbestos surveys and exposure control plans.
Alberta (OHS Code) – abatement project documentation.
Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, etc. – survey, monitoring, and clearance documentation.

Q3: What is considered asbestos-containing material (ACM) in Canada?
In Canada, any material that contains 1% or more asbestos by weight is considered ACM. If the content is below 1%, asbestos precautions are generally not required.

Q4: Who is considered a “qualified person” under COHSR?
A “qualified person” is defined as someone with the knowledge, training, and experience to carry out hazard investigations, sample collection, and asbestos risk assessments in compliance with COHSR and applicable provincial law.

Q5: How does ispecX handle clearance air sampling results?
Any lab that can provide an CSV file, ispecX allows you to:

Upload and generate clearance reports.
Post results into charts.
Share results automatically with committees, H&S reps, and regulators with live QR codes.

Q6: Do all asbestos-containing materials need to be removed so does Ispecx reports condition?
Yes. Under COHSR 10.26.2(d), ACM in good condition and not accessible (e.g., behind walls/ceilings) does not require removal, but employers must monitor condition, prevent damage, and conduct regular inspections/air sampling.

Q7: Can ispecX be used for asbestos management plans?
Yes. ispecX generates asbestos inventories, condition assessments, risk rankings, and custom asbestos management plans that comply with both federal and provincial laws.

Q8: Does ispecX work offline in the field?
Yes. Inspectors can capture survey data, photos, and lab results offline, then sync to the cloud when internet access is restored.

In Canada, asbestos-containing material (ACM) is defined under federal and provincial/territorial occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations. The general rule is:

ACM means any material that contains 1% or more asbestos by weight.

Key Details

Threshold
- If bulk sample analysis shows less than 1% asbestos, the material is not considered ACM under Canadian OHS law.
- If the analysis shows 1% or greater asbestos, it is legally considered ACM and must be managed under asbestos regulations.
Examples of ACM in buildings
- Sprayed fireproofing, insulation, pipe wrap, boiler insulation
- Vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring with backing
- Drywall joint compound
- Acoustic ceiling tiles
- Roofing felts and shingles
- Cement pipes, siding, and panels
- Textured paints and coatings
Applicable Regulations
- Federal: Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (COHSR), Part X (Hazardous Substances).
- Provincial/Territorial: Each jurisdiction (e.g., WorkSafeBC, Ontario Regulation 278/05, Alberta OHS Code, Quebec Regulation on OHS) uses the same 1% threshold but may have specific requirements for surveys, notification, risk assessment, and abatement procedures.
Risk Consideration
- The hazard depends not just on asbestos content but also on friability (whether it can release fibres into the air when disturbed). Friable ACM is regulated more strictly.

✅ Summary:
In Canada, any building material containing 1% or more asbestos by weight is legally considered ACM and must be identified, labeled, and managed according to applicable OHS regulations.

State of Oregon Asbestos Survey Reporting Requirements

Asbestos Survey Requirements

All commercial buildings regardless of construction date, and residential buildings constructed before Jan. 1, 2004, must have an asbestos survey conducted by an accredited inspector prior to any demolition or renovation activities.

A copy of the asbestos survey report must be on-site during all renovation or demolition activities and must be provided to DEQ upon request.

Owner-occupants of a single-unit private residence performing a renovation inside their home are exempt from the asbestos survey rule. However, DEQ recommends owner-occupants have an asbestos survey performed or take samples of suspect materials and send the samples to a lab for analysis prior to renovation projects. Owner-occupants are required to follow all asbestos packaging, labeling, and disposal requirements, and lab analysis is the only way to identify if asbestos is present in materials. The owner-occupant exemption does not apply if the residence is going to be demolished.

Demolition and renovation

Demolition is defined as wrecking or removing a load-supporting structural feature of a facility together with related handling operations or the intentional burning of a facility. Renovation is defined as altering one or more facility components that do not involve removing load-supporting structural features. The renovation includes the replacement, stripping, or repairing of facility components, such as mechanical ventilation systems, pipes, ceilings, walls, flooring, and insulating materials.

Who can perform the survey and generate the asbestos survey report?

Only an accredited asbestos inspector may perform the asbestos survey and generate an asbestos survey report.

What does the survey involve?

DEQ requires at least one bulk sample of each homogeneous material suspected to contain asbestos to be collected and analyzed at a laboratory before any demolition or renovation activity. For sprayed or troweled-on surfacing materials, at least three random bulk samples for each homogeneous area must be collected. Starting Jan. 1, 2021, each asbestos bulk sample must be analyzed by a laboratory that participates in a nationally recognized accreditation or testing program. At that time, DEQ will maintain a public list of accepted laboratories on its website. When complete demolition or extensive renovation is planned, an asbestos survey of the entire facility is required. When a partial renovation is planned, such as a kitchen remodel, a survey is required for that area of the structure only. Alternatively, the material can be presumed to contain asbestos, in which case it must be treated, removed, handled, managed, transported, and disposed of as asbestos-containing material.

Asbestos survey reports

Asbestos survey reports must now meet standard requirements. All these requirements should be in your AHERA Asbestos Survey report template. This requirement ensures all asbestos surveys evaluate and report consistent information.

An asbestos survey report must include all of the following:
Dates the asbestos survey was performed
A copy of the accredited inspector(s) certificate and phone number(s)
The project site address and location where the survey was performed
The facility owner or operator’s name and phone
Description of the facility and area surveyed, including past and current use, area square footage, approximate construction date, and number of floors
The purpose of the asbestos survey
Description of any limitation of the asbestos survey
A table listing all of the materials sampled and identified as asbestos-containing or presumed asbestos-containing including the percent asbestos and type of asbestos, description of the material color, texture, and pattern, the location of the material, description of the material condition as in good condition or in poor condition, identification of the material as friable or nonfriable and the approximate quantity of the material;
A recommended response action
A complete copy of the laboratory report including the laboratory name, address and phone number, unique sample analysis identification number, bulk sample analysis results, name of the analyst and the completed chain of custody for the samples.

Contact us for an Oregon DEQ-approved Asbestos reporting template!

The DEQ definition of Renovation means altering one or more facility components. Renovation includes replacing, stripping, or repairing facility components, such as mechanical ventilation systems, pipes, ceiling, walls, flooring, and insulating materials. That means an asbestos survey and report performed by an accredited inspector are required even when a single material will be replaced such as flooring in commercial offices. The alternative is to assume all materials impacted during the project will be removed as friable asbestos-containing materials and abated by a DEQ-licensed asbestos abatement contractor.

The DEQ definition of Demolition means wrecking or removing a load-supporting member of a facility together with related handling operations or the intentional burning of a facility. Training fire performed by local fire departments requires an asbestos survey and report, including any abatement of asbestos-containing materials, prior to the training fire.

A copy of the asbestos survey report must be on-site during all renovation or demolition activities and must be provided to DEQ upon request.

While the asbestos inspector is responsible for the completion of the asbestos survey and survey report, it is ultimately the responsibility of the contractor, building owner, or operator to confirm the asbestos survey and survey report comply with DEQ requirements. ispecX software makes meeting these requirements Easy with the ispecX AHERA Asbestos Reporting Template!

Asbestos Online Training Classes

ASBESTOS REFRESHER TRAINING COURSES

Anyone who handles, supervises, designs, or contracts projects involving asbestos is required to maintain an EPA-mandated certification and must re-certify each year. Our asbestos refresher training courses are the most convenient way to renew your certification. Below are state-approved eLearning modules that let you study from the convenience of your home or office, on your schedule, and at your pace.

22 states including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, and Wisconsin do not accept self-paced online course certificates.

Provider:

Meta Enviromental: https://metaenvironmental.net/online-courses/

Asbestos Online Training: https://asbestoschool.com/

The Asbestos Institiue: https://www.theasbestosinstitute.com/online/

CHC Training: https://chctraining.com/asbestos-training/

Zach Academy: https://www.zackacademy.com/class/asbestos-certification

Now Environmental: https://nowenvironmental.com/training-courses/asbestos/asbestos-supervisor-refresher-8hr-online/

Wynn White Consulting: https://wynnwhite.com/online-asbestos-refresher-training-courses/

Lenders Bank PCR Inspections

Nationwide Interior & Exterior Property Inspections

Get the fastest and most accurate Property Condition Reports (PCRs) for both interior and exterior inspections. With mobile technology, crowdsourcing, and a nationwide team of experts, iSpecX transforms the way lenders, servicers, mortgage companies, banks, and portfolio managers order and receive inspection reports.

Why Choose iSpecX for PCRs?

On-Demand Property Inspections – Request and manage PCRs anytime, anywhere.
Mobile & Cloud Technology – Instantly access real-time inspection data, pricing, and status updates.
Faster Turnaround Times – Accelerate decision-making with streamlined inspection workflows.
Transparent Pricing – Unlike other platforms, we don’t take a percentage of work orders. What the inspector charges is what you pay.

Customized Reporting for Lenders & Managers

Our system allows lenders and portfolio managers to define specific inspection requirements, ensuring reports capture only the data you need—without unnecessary clutter. Vendors can also set minimum requirements for inspector qualifications, including:

Insurance verification
License validation
Experience requirements

This ensures that every inspection is performed by a qualified, professional property reporting

Who We Serve

iSpecX is trusted by:

Real estate lenders
Mortgage servicers
Banks & credit unions
Portfolio managers
Commercial & residential property investors

Whether you need a single-family home inspection, commercial property condition report, or portfolio-wide evaluation, iSpecX delivers accurate, high-quality results.

The iSpecX Advantage

Nationwide inspection coverage
Crowdsourced inspector network
Faster turnaround time
Accurate & high-quality PCRs
No hidden fees

iSpecX is the go-to solution for property condition reports—boosting process efficiency, enhancing transparency, and accelerating the delivery of property valuations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a Property Condition Report (PCR)?
A PCR is a professional inspection document that outlines the condition of a property’s interior and exterior, including maintenance issues, safety concerns, and structural integrity. Lenders and servicers rely on PCRs to make informed decisions on property values and risks.

Who uses PCRs?
PCRs are commonly used by real estate lenders, mortgage servicers, banks, credit unions, and portfolio managers to assess collateral value, monitor property condition, and reduce risk.

Get Started Today

Join the iSpecX inspection network and experience the future of property condition reporting. Contact us to request an inspection or to join our nationwide team of consulting businesses using ispecX software.

👉 Commercial & Residential Inspection Services