HSA defends stance on Ballymun tower asbestos

The Health & Safety Authority has rejected criticism of its stance on removing asbestos from Ballymun's tower blocks.

The HSA has been accused of misinterpreting the legislation by insisting a 120 tons of asbestos be removed from the blocks prior to demolition.

But the Authority today insisted that demolition cannot be carried out until the asbestos lying in the ceiling coats of the flats complex are "removed safely and without risk to workers or the public in the area".

It says the method proposed to remove the asbestos by the Ballymun Regeneration Ltd (BRL), the company set up to redevelop the area, is "legally unacceptable".

The HSA said the company's method contravened "legal requirements" and "offers a lesser level of protection than that required by international best practice".

The HSA's chief executive, Mr Tom Beegan said "that asbestos is a Category One human carcinogen, which means that it causes cancer in humans."

Mr Beegan said: "If asbestos is not removed and disposed of in a controlled and safe manner, it can become airborne and could thus pose a risk not only to the workers involved in its removal but also to the health of the general public in the vicinity of that work activity".

He said: "As the State agency charged with the enforcement of health and safety standards, that are in place to protect both workers and others that may be affected by the work activity, the Authority must insist on compliance with the legal requirements."

However, the Ballymun Regeneration Ltd (BRL) says the asbestos levels are very low and technologies exist to demolish the buildings while preventing the release of airborne asbestos fibres.

BRL claims the HSA's objection is a political one and not based on health grounds. The company claims the removal of the asbestos will cost the taxpayer up to €120 million.