Asbestos, Labour Heritage Moment Video
Asbestos is the leading cause of death in today’s workplace. Because diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis can take decades to appear, it will continue to be a killer for many more years.
This video is part of our Labour Heritage Moments series.
Lee Loftus recounts his personal exposure to asbestos. His father, a specialist in spray-on asbestos, would come home covered in asbestos dust, which his children would then be exposed to as they greeted him. This lifelong exposure highlights the pervasive nature of the material.
The BC labour movement has a long-standing commitment to protecting worker health and safety, with their efforts often leading to broader safeguards for the population. A significant event in this history was a wildcat strike by asbestos construction workers in downtown Vancouver in 1971. Loftus vividly describes how his father was spraying asbestos during the construction of the Pacific Centre, with the material blowing outside and landing on cars and pedestrians. This concern spurred the first North American wildcat strike regarding asbestos, effectively shutting down downtown Vancouver and leading to improved containment practices.
In September 2022, the BC Labour Heritage Centre unveiled the memorial on the Vancouver waterfront dedicated to victims of asbestos exposure. This public art piece, “Magic and Lethal,” created by artist Douglas Taylor, depicts human lungs and asbestos fibres, serving as a powerful tribute. Laird Cronk, President of the Federation of Labour, expressed gratitude for the memorial, emphasizing its importance in raising awareness to prevent future exposures, providing a symbolic home for the spirits of victims, and offering hope and healing for all affected.