The Dollar Tree store in downtown Victoria has been closed because of concern that crumbling floor tiles containing asbestos could cause harm.
“WorkSafeBC prevention field officers determined that floor tiles described as containing asbestos were found in poor condition,” Trish Knight Chernecki, WorkSafe spokeswoman, said Tuesday.
The condition of the tiles contravene B.C. Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, she said.
“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.” Friable means that a material will crumble or break down when disturbed.
A large yellow hand-printed sign stuck on one of the windows states that the store is closed and the recessed entrance has been blocked by a metal gate. In the darkened store, merchandise is still stacked on shelves.
Dollar Tree, at 1416/1420 Douglas St., is a discount store carrying a wide range of products at $1.25 or less.
Its website lists “housewares, glassware, dinnerware, cleaning supplies, candy, snacks, food, health and beauty, toys, gifts, gift bags and wrap, party supplies, stationery, craft supplies, teaching supplies, books, seasonal décor, and more.”
A company spokesperson could not be reached on Tuesday. The company’s Canadian corporate office is in Burnaby.
Dollar Tree Canada runs about 176 corporate stores in five provinces, from B.C. to Ontario, and is in expansion mode, the website states.
A City of Victoria official said that no building permit had been taken out for the Douglas Street property.
The building is owned by Bernard Pastoral Ltd. of Saanich and its assessed value is $1.7 million, according to provincial property documents.
The closing of the store follows concerns about asbestos in a James Bay rental apartment building. Tenants of Charter House, 435 Michigan St., have been moved out of their units by the property manager because of the potential for asbestos exposure during renovations.
“Exposure to asbestos can cause serious long-term health issues and even death. Asbestos was widely used in B.C. as a building material until the early 1990s, and it can be present in many areas of older building,” WorkSafe’s website states. “If you suspect asbestos is present, do not touch or move it. Only qualified professionals can remove asbestos.”
• On the web: worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/ hazards-exposures/asbestos.i
