Regular tests for workers over asbestos

Civilian workers exposed to potentially deadly asbestos dust will be screened every two years for health defects.

It is believed at least 30 civilian workers, employed by the Department of Defence, were exposed to the dust as they carried out a refit on the LÉ Ciara last month.

At a meeting with senior Naval Service officers, the workers were informed that “an occupational health doctor will see all those who were exposed or have concerns and they will be put on a list for health screening every two years”.

The department is consulting with the chief medical officer for the Civil Service on the matter.

A document obtained by the Irish Examiner clearly statesthat no risk assessment was carried out, due to the fact consultants carried out a survey on the LÉ Ciara’s sister ship, LÉ Orla, in 2000 and found no asbestos onboard.

The report states that the Naval Service accepted this in good faith, but will now be carrying out a comprehensive sweep for asbestos and will make arrangements to have asbestos awareness training courses for its civilian workforce.

The Naval Service says it was told of the probability of asbestos being on the ship on March 21, but did not receive confirmation until positive test results were returned a week later.

The Naval Service is now seeking tenders through EU-wide procurement for quotes to clean up the ships and remove all the asbestos safely. It could take up to 10 weeks for the successful tendering company to be on site.

In the meantime, the LE Ciara and her sister ship remain locked down at the naval dockyard at Haulbowline.

Only people who are suitably qualified and wearing protective clothing are allowed onboard.

Officers said that it was also intended to carry out air monitoring in navy dockyard workshops and all other buildings at Haulbowline to identify if there is any other asbestos contamination.

Seven members of the Naval Service were also exposed to the asbestos dust. They have received screenings. Neither the civilian workers or the Naval Service members were wearing protective clothing.

PDForra, which represents rank-and-file members of the Defence Forces, is seeking legal advice about the responsibility the State may have in the future medical care of those affected.

The Naval Service said once the two ships had been cleared of asbestos and sent back out on operational duty, it will then start to screen its other ships for the substance.

ASBESTOS Q & A

By Conor Ryan

Civilian workers exposed to asbestos dust while carrying out a refit on the LÉ Ciara have claimed they have been kept in the dark by Naval authorities.

In an attempt to learn what happened, how it happened, and the potential health threats to them and their families, they submitted a list of questions. Here are some of the answers they were given.

Q. Was a risk assessment done before allowing dockyard staff to work on the vessel?

A. No risk assessment was carried out... A consultants’ survey, carried out in 2000, onboard the LE Orla stated there was no asbestos containing materials onboard the ship.

Based on this consultants’ report, the Naval Service acted in good faith and accepted that the expert commissioned to investigate the presence or absence of asbestos had reported that there was none present.

Q. Why did it take 14 days to shut down the LÉ Ciara and the transport shed?

A. The Naval Service was informed of the possibility as opposed to the probability of asbestos being present on March 21 and it was confirmed on March 27 as asbestos-chrysotile on the LÉ Orla.

Q. Were the Health and Safety Authority and the Environmental Protection Agency informed?

A. Yes, on March 24, the EPA and HSA were contacted seeking advice. The HSA was officially contacted on April 2, prior to getting it confirmed there was asbestos onboard LÉ Ciara.

Q. The LÉ Ciara and the transport shed were put off-limits. Why were other environments not closed off? Were other workshops even investigated?

A. Closing off was done as a precautionary measure where asbestos containing materials were significantly disturbed in enclosed areas with poor ventilation.

No other workshops were not investigated. However, it is intended to carry out air monitoring in all Naval dockyard workshops as a precaution... Asbestos has not been discovered in any other location and neither has any material containing asbestos being disturbed by works such as grinding. All areas will be subject to survey.

Q. Will there be ongoing risks during the clean-up process?

A. No. No dockyard staff will be permitted in the workshop that is being cleaned. Prior to the cleaning process, the workshop will be sealed. The cleaning process is such that it is designed to prevent the release of any material. Background air monitoring will occur during the cleaning process by a third party to ensure no leakage from the site.

Q. What health screening will be available to workers who may have been affected?

A. The occupational health doctor will see all those who were exposed or have concerns and they will be put on a list for health screening every two years. Yes, previous health screening was sufficient.

Q. What about those who have retired or who are about to retire?

A. It is being discussed as part of the health screening process.

Q. How much of the naval fleet is affected?

A. A fleet-wide survey is being initiated. Until it is ascertained whether asbestos is present or not it will be assumed that asbestos is present in all jointing material unless proved otherwise.

Q. Will somebody be held responsible for putting workers into an environment where they were exposed to asbestos?

A. No dockyard worker or Naval Service personnel were knowingly put in harm’s way. There was no deliberate or willful negligent act to place any dockyard worker or Naval Service person in any form of jeopardy.

Q. What should affected workers do with their clothing and items that were washed with garments belonging to other members of their families?

A. External advice sought on this suggests that retrospective action is not possible. Further, it is not possible to distinguish asbestos fibres against fibres on clothes.