Written answers

Wednesday, 30 April 2014

Department of Defence

Naval Service Vessels

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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633. To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to a recent incident regarding possible exposure to asbestos at the naval base at Haulbowline, County Cork, the steps that have been taken to address the matter; if any health risk was posed to Naval Service personnel or any other person on the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18558/14]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the situation with the discovery of asbestos on LE Orla and LE Ciara. At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in the Naval Base is my primary concern. I am advised by the Naval Service that it is following all Health and Safety Authority (HSA) guidelines while dealing with the current situation. The position is that LE Orla was in dry dock at Cork Dockyard Limited (CDL) last month when work was being carried out in the engine room spaces. During the removal of a gasket head, CDL identified material which it suspected as being asbestos and informed the Naval Service, who in turn instructed that all work should cease and that the material should be analysed. CDL engaged an outside contractor to get the material analysed, this analysis confirmed that the material was asbestos - a particular type of white asbestos called Chrysotile. LE Ciara, a sister ship of LE Orla, had had similar work underway while alongside in the Naval Service Dockyard in Haulbowline. Following the notification from CDL of the discovery of asbestos material on LE Orla, the Naval Service immediately suspended all work on LE Ciara. The Naval Service also called in external expertise to carry out a full survey and analysis of the ship which confirmed, on 2nd April, that the 2 gaskets sampled in the Naval Service Workshop which came from the LE Ciara contained the same asbestos type.

The areas of concern on both ships and in the Naval Transport workshops are currently under quarantine. No personnel are allowed entry into the engine room spaces and suspected contaminated areas. The Naval Service contacted the HSA and the EPA. The HSA has launched its own investigation into the incident and this is ongoing. I am advised that the HSA has visited the Naval Base a number of times since the 4thApril and have served the Naval Service with an improvement notice under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005. A company has been contracted independently by the HSA to analyse the material on board LE Ciara.

All staff on board LE Ciara, LE Orla and in the Naval Service Dockyard including the civilian workforce, have been briefed on the situation to date. Medical assessments are ongoing with the Naval Medical Officer for Naval Service personnel who were working in the affected areas at the time and the situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis. In addition, health surveillance is being offered in accordance with regulations to all staff. The civilian workforce has also been offered the opportunity to attend a further round of asbestos screening sessions. These sessions will take place shortly.

I understand that no Asbestos Risk Assessment or Asbestos Management Plan was put in place prior to the work commencing onboard either ship because a survey carried out by an external surveyor on the LE Orla in 2000 stated that there was no asbestos containing materials onboard the vessel. As I mentioned already, LE Ciara is a similar design to LE Orla and it was considered that LE Ciara was also asbestos free. This matter is being followed up at present.

As part of the requirements under the HSA Improvement Notice, the Naval Service is in the process of seeking tenders for the safe removal of the asbestos from the ships and for the provision of asbestos awareness training for Naval Service personnel likely to be exposed to asbestos. Since the discovery of asbestos, air sampling and monitoring has been conducted by an external contractor on both ships and in the Transport Workshops and the samples taken were found to be safe.

I am advised by the Naval Service that a full asbestos audit of all ships in the fleet will be completed shortly. While the two vessels have been withdrawn from service, this was part of a scheduled maintenance plan for both ships. As a result, the current quarantine of these vessels will not affect the overall operational plans of the Naval Service.

As I mentioned previously, this matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness and attention by the Department of Defence and the Naval Service. The Naval Service will be launching a formal accident investigation team to investigate all aspects behind this occurrence and to ensure that there is no repetition in the future. I understand that the HSA investigation is ongoing and is likely to take some time to complete. I will ensure that any recommendations emanating from the HSA will be acted upon immediately.

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