Health PEI issues tender for asbestos removal at hospital
Health PEI said it will issue a public tender on Thursday in collaboration with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure to remove asbestos from Kings County Memorial Hospital (KCMH) in Montague.
A recent assessment found several areas in the hospital contain asbestos requiring removal, said a news release from the province. The asbestos is contained and poses no risk to patients or staff unless disturbed, said the release.
The province said it will spend a maximum of $400,000 on the removal through the Capital Repair and Maintenance budget.
The tender is phase one of a plan to remove asbestos from the facility 'in a safe and controlled manner,' said the release. A Health PEI representative said laundry, physiotherapy, central sterile reprocessing and storage areas are being prioritized for cleanup because of operational needs and safety concerns.
The province said additional areas will be addressed, pending funding and further planning, during phase two.
Health PEI said the work will be done by professionals following strict safety protocols and is expected to take 10 weeks.
KCMH was built in 1971, before the ban on asbestos in building construction.
For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
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