Navy plans training for removal of asbestos

The Naval Service is starting to train key personnel in asbestos awareness and its safe removal.

Gerry Rooney, general secretary for PDforra, the organisation which represents enlisted personnel in the Naval Service, said he has been informed by military authorities that around 110 of its members will begin training this week in asbestos-awareness and its safe removal.

Mr Rooney said he had been told that the course would also be included in part of the Naval College syllabus in the future for training recruits.

He was critical of the delay in providing the training courses, but said that it was welcome nonetheless and that the Naval Service is under direction from the Health and Safety Authority to complete this by July 4.

“We have not been given an indication on a date for commencement of the fleet-wide survey,” said Mr Rooney.

The Naval Service employed external consultants in 2000 to carry out a similar survey. It claims the consultants reported that the fleet was free from asbestos.

“I think this report gave them [Naval Service senior officers] a false sense of security. They now know that was not a complete survey. They’ve stepped up now and the training is a good thing,” said Mr Rooney.

However, he added that PDForra’s main concern remained the ongoing health of its members who may have been exposed to the substance.

It can take up to 40 years before the symptoms become apparent.

“There will have to be ongoing work between ourselves, the military authorities, and/or the Department of Defence on this,” said Mr Rooney.

It is believed that around 100 Naval Service personnel and 50 civilian workers employed by the Department of Defence may have come in contact with asbestos dust on the LÉ Ciara and LÉ Orla.

Experts have started removing the material from both ships, which have been out of action for a number of weeks.

The work is expected to take several weeks more and is taking place at the Navel Service headquarters on Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour.

The LÉ Eithne is also been surveyed for asbestos after fears were raised it could also be onboard that ship.

The Naval Service says it is committed to carrying out a fleet-wide survey for the substance.

It is feared that asbestos may be on five ships in its eight-strong fleet.