The Ministry of Health, Department of Environmental Health is offering asbestos abatement courses May 15 – 25.
“Asbestos is a respiratory hazard that is quite harmful, and anyone intending on working to remove asbestos must be properly trained,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “These courses are vital to ensuring that anyone working with asbestos remains safe.”
Asbestos abatement training is a requirement of the Department of Health and is based on the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. Some modifications have been made specifically for Bermuda.
The following courses will be offered:
- Asbestos Abatement Workers Certificate Course: Monday 15th May – Friday 19th May (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
- Asbestos Abatement Supervisors Certificate Course: Monday 15th May – Friday 19th May (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
- Workers Re-certification Course: Monday 22nd May – Tuesday 23rd May (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
- Asbestos Supervisors Re-certification Course: Wednesday 24th May – Thursday 25th May (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Prospective asbestos abatement Workers and Supervisors requiring certification must attend these courses offered by Environmental Health and conducted by an approved U.S. EPA instructor to be added to the list of Recognised Asbestos Workers/Supervisors.
Mr Armell Thomas, Chief Environmental Health Officer explained: “Asbestos was widely used for fire-proofing and strength properties in buildings until the 1970s, when it was implicated as potentially causing lung cancer if breathed in as loose fibers. Since then, asbestos has been removed or abated from buildings and removed from building materials to reduce the risks to public health. This work continues with some major projects planned in Bermuda in the near future.”
Because asbestos abatement projects carry unique risks for workers, strict safety and health guidelines are enforced by the Health Department with a permit system for all asbestos abatement activities.
