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Ministry Admits Asbestos Problem

The Ministry of HealthThe Ministry of Health has publicly acknowledged the problem of asbestos in its office building, however Chief Health Officer Lionel Michael is still in the dark.

When Caribarena.com contacted Michael for a comment following the announcement, he said, “I am not aware of that. Nobody told me about that."

The ministry, through its public relations officer Colin O’Neal, confirmed that the roof of its building contains asbestos, a substance linked to cancer.

An earlier report on Caribarena.com had cited concerns from employees who wanted to be moved to another location, and more attention to the issue from the relevant authorities.

It is understood, however, that even with the public announcement, nothing has been done so far to safeguard the health of workers in the building.

There have been concerns that it is not safe to work with this particular type of asbestos, especially since the building has no fire escape or other such provision, and a fire could possibly cause the material to explode.


Caribarena.com did not receive a copy of the public statement on the issue.

Attempts to reach the ministry’s permanent secretary for a comment proved futile.

See related stories:

Asbestos Concerns Linger In St John's

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6 Comments In This Article   

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Woods building

#6 John J Grante » 2011-02-19 07:53

lETs move to Bill Copper's building at woods.. May be Mr Chrisyian can cut another deal.... Lets see may BE $19,000,000.. plus commissions!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!
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John J Grante

weird- seems there is no coordination

#5 tenman » 2011-02-19 03:37

Why is the Chief health inspector not aware of this issue when according to Observer news:

Chief Medical Officer Dr Rhonda SealyThomas has advised, “It’s not conditions under which workers should be allowed to continue to work, the asbestos and the report from the fire officers saying it is a hazard,” Thomas said
"

..
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tenman

MOVEMENTS

#4 OO7 » 2011-02-19 01:59

NO PROBLEM....THE BUILDING ON OLD PARHAM IS STILL AVAILABLE AND WE HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR SIX MONTHS. UP THE ROAD HERE WE GO
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OO7

#3 Beauty » 2011-02-19 00:52

Mr. Michael you wont be made aware because you are not a doctor.
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Beauty

Now

#2 me » 2011-02-18 23:32

We have plenty of places with asbestor roof in Antigua. We also have the highest rate per captial of cancer. Now what we are going to do? I guess they need the money to spend it back on their health when they get old.
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me

#1 Same old, same old » 2011-02-18 22:34

IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE TREND FOR UNFIT WORK PLACES FOR STAFF IS PREVALENT IN THE GOVT SYSTEM, THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL OFFICE HAS OCCUPIED A SPACE IN PIGOTTS MALL, MARKET STREET, SINCE 2008, AND NOTE THIS CUBICLE IS ONLY EQUIPPED WITH ONE DOOR, (SAME DOOR IN SAME ONE OUT), HAS NEVER CONDUCTED A FIRE DRILL, HAS NO FIRE ESCAPE, NO FIRE ALARM - YOU SEE THE DANGER. THE DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSPECTION OF OFFICES RENTED BY GOVERNMENT, YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED AT THIS LOCATION - QUICK, FAST AND IN A HURRY! THE OFFICE DOESN'T EVEN PROVIDE DRINKING WATER FOR THE STAFF!
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Same old, same old

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