Automotive News Canada - February 2017 - 25

* FEBRUARY 2017

Biggest asbestos risk to brake technicians
CONTINUED FROM PA GE 3

exposure to asbestos particles could
lead to the pulmonary disease called
asbestosis and cancers such as
mesothelioma, Canada and Quebec
were funding the Asbestos Institute
(later the Chrysotile Institute) to
lobby on behalf of asbestos miners.
By 1999 asbestos was listed as
a toxic substance under Canada's
Environmental Protection Act and
fell under federal and provincial
controls. But it was not, as many
had expected, banned outright.
"There's a general sense that,
well, government's looking after it;
it's being taken care of. So there's a
sense of complacency, and the public's mind shifts to more salient concerns," says Will Amos, an environmental lawyer and Liberal Member
of Parliament for Quebec's Pontiac
riding.

TOOTHLESS CONTROLS
The controls couldn't protect
against unexpected events such as
the 2008 Sunrise Propane explosion
that rained asbestos over a Toronto
neighbourhood, Amos says. Nor
did they prevent the importation of
asbestos brakes, clutches or other
parts, or even require labels listing
the mineral as an ingredient.
"The argument would be made,
you know, 'We can strictly regulate
it, and it can still be used, a little bit
here and there.' Well, no."
Starting the ban immediately would not be possible logistical-

Nick Lafontaine, 19, of St. Albert,
Ont., is an apprentice in the GM
Automotive Service Educational
Program at Algonquin College in
Ottawa. He uses a cleaning solution on brakes that limits exposure to asbestos particles.
(PHOTO: ROBERT BOSTELAAR)

ly, Amos said. "The government,
including right up to the key political decision makers, did everything
they could to tighten the screws on
the timelines ... but at the same time
you do have to have a transition,"
says Amos.
The Automotive Industries
Association, which includes jobbers
and retailers, was an early advocate
for the ban and had input on the
timing, Champagne says.
"It's really part of AI's corporate
social responsibility to make sure
that we provide a safe working environment for everyone involved in
the aftermarket," he says.
Companies with asbestos in their
inventories could take a financial
hit when the ban takes effect, but
Champagne believes many have
already stopped stocking such parts.
With more consultations planned

to work out details, the ban isn't
expected to come into force until
late 2018. Meantime, a parliamentary committee of which Amos is
a member has launched a review
of the 1999 environment act. That
could offer hope to asbestos opponents who have urged the government to also ban heavy metals such
as copper in brake pads and other
products.

TECHNICIANS AT RISK
The biggest risk from asbestos
is to technicians taking apart and
cleaning dust-caked brake assemblies.
But the repair business, like
other industries, has long had
procedures to reduce exposure.
Alberta's Occupational Health and
Safety Act, for instance, requires
workers to use a HEPA-filter industrial vacuum to clean assemblies or
wet them down with a low-pressure
hose. Brake work is required to take
place in a separate, designated area.
There likely mechanics who still
reach for an air hose to clean brake
parts, but Jason Glennon, coordinator of the motive power technician
program at Algonquin College in
Ottawa, thinks the overall attitude
has shifted. Dealerships have safety
committees to monitor noise levels
and the use of protective gear, and
auto students learn about the value
of precautions.
In his classes, "we assume that
all brakes and clutches contain
asbestos and go from there." - ANC

Wraps can run
$200-$10,000
CONTINUED FROM PA GE 3

referred to as stone
guard, doesn't come
cheap at GTA. Prices
start at $2,500 for
the front clip, and
to totally PPF wrap
a new Lamborghini
Aventador will set a
customer back about
$10,000.
GTA contracts
top-notch installers
who wrap vehicles
in the store's service
department. Davidson
says the installers
need hoists to properly wrap the nether
regions of the vehicles,
using multiple pieces
of film that are laser
cut to exactly match
the vehicle's body
parts.
AutoTrim's
Kompelien adds that
when it comes to more
mainstream vehicles, PPF on the hood
and fenders can be
installed for as little as
$250-350, and is becoming more popular with
leased vehicles, so les-

sees aren't faced with
stone-chip repairs at
lease end.
Because most
Lamborghini and
Aston Martin vehicles
are ordered, Davidson
says GTA has the luxury of broaching the
subject of PPF several
weeks before the vehicles arrive; it's definitely not a last-minute sales pitch in the
business office.

COMMERCIAL BENEFITS
Uzbalis of 3M adds
that dealers with commercial accounts needing commercial wraps
should discuss the
products with those
customers well before
the F&I office.
"Dealers should be
talking to these guys
upfront and saying,
'we'll give you a professional wrap package to advertise your
business'.
"Wraps are one of
the most cost-effective
forms of adverting you
can buy." - ANC

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automotive News Canada - February 2017