There may be changes coming to asbestos disposal procedures in the Kamloops area next year.

TNRD Waste Reduction Coordinator Jamie Vieira says they are working with the city to see if the current procedures comply with WorkSafe BC regulations.

“We’re looking at screening procedures that may need to be in place for certain material types.,” he said. “We’re looking at what other regional districts are doing around us, and considering procedures where it would be the onus of proof would be on the hauler to prove that there is not asbestos in that load of material.”

Vieira says the changes, if needed, would be to ensure the safety of people working at the Mission Flats landfill in Kamloops or the Lower Nicola landfill near Merritt – the only two places where materials containing asbestos are accepted.

“Right now it’s just the educational reminder, but we’re definitely hinting at that there’s going to be changes in the future,” Vieira added. “And it wouldn’t be changes as to how we are handling asbestos, it’s more of the concern around people not doing the due diligence to test themselves and we don’t want to risk exposing the public and the customers that are at the site.

He adds officials are noticing tighter restrictions on how materials containing asbestos can be disposed off, because of the risk of exposure.

Earlier this month, TNRD and City officials put out a reminder for people to educate them about the proper ways to dispose of materials containing asbestos.