Jerome Quenneville is the new vice president and chief financial officer at the CKHA, after holding the position on an interim basis since November 2016. (Photo courtesy of the CKHA.)
Jerome Quenneville is the new vice president and chief financial officer at the CKHA, after holding the position on an interim basis since November 2016. (Photo courtesy of the CKHA.)
Chatham

CKHA Says No Risk To Public After Asbestos Removed

The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance says asbestos has been removed safely from part of the Chatham hospital.

Jerome Quenneville, CKHA vice president and chief financial officer, says a qualified contractor was hired to make sure all protocols and safety guidelines, including plastic barriers, were met.

Quenneville says there was no risk to public health during the removal of asbestos around the cafeteria area last month.

"We have an inspection company that comes in to ensure there's good controls in place and air quality and everything is well maintained for the facility," says Quenneville.

Quenneville says the asbestos removal was complete about ten days ago and there are no concerns moving forward.

He says hospital renovations should be done by the end of August.

Quenneville says the cafeteria area is closed off during renovations and a temporary eating area is available.

"Air quality and everything is maintained for the facility, keeping our staff and our patients and visitors as safe as can be in a hospital setting," Quenneville says.

Quenneville says the contractor took every precaution to ensure public health was not endangered by asbestos.

"They use air control and they contain it by sealing it as they're removing it and they bag it immediately before it's transported outside of their hoarded area where it's air controlled," says Quenneville.

Asbestos is harmful only when fibres in the air are inhaled.

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