A member of a group that wants to ban asbestos from Saskatchewan says the province is permitting "murder in the workplace" by continuing to allow use of the mineral.

When Ban Asbestos Saskatchewan, a committee of labour activists, asked for the ban almost a year ago, then labour minister Deb Higgins said she was considering the proposal. 

Fireproof asbestos fibres are commonly used in building materials, brake linings and water and sewer pipes.

However, studies have found that if the particles are inhaled over a long time, they can cause serious lung diseases, including cancer.

The group wants products that contain the dangerous substance to be kept out of people's homes and workplaces entirely.

However, Labour Minister David Forbes says that isn't going to happen.

"Right now, no. Government is not considering the banning of asbestos products," Forbes said Monday.

Forbes said he knows asbestos is a dangerous substance, but banning it isn't the answer.

Instead, Forbes said, his department makes sure the proper occupational health and safety regulations are in place for workers who handle it.

"The Department of Labour's mandate is workplace safety and we feel we have met the need of those who are working with asbestos," he said.

But Gord Gunoff, a member of Ban Asbestos Saskatchewan, said that's unacceptable.

"For him to say that … he's allowing murder in the workplace, is what he's allowing," Gunoff said. "There's no way you can control, properly handle asbestos safely."

Gunoff said his group regularly hears from retired workers with lung disease who didn't even know they were exposed to asbestos while they were working.

The province says it is considering a regulation that would require employers to offer medical exams to workers who are exposed to asbestos. Right now, workers need to make the request.