The engineers behind the Roseau Roman Catholic Cathedral project say a major asbestos removal exercise involving the roof of the Cathedral is not expected to impact adversely the residents of Virgin Lane who live next to that Church building.
Reports had indicated that some of the residents were concerned about the impending exercise, and some had understood that they were being asked to temporarily relocate during the removal exercise as a precautionary measure.
However Engineer Bernard Lauwyck has been telling Dominica News Online that the removal of the asbestos-containing slates lining the roof of the cathedral, due to begin on July 9, shouldn’t pose a problem for Virgin Lane residents.
“They have not been asked to move and they should be pretty safe,” he said, explaining that adequate protection was being put in place and that the Virgin Lane homes were far away enough not to be impacted by possible contamination.
“The loading of the trucks (with the offending asbestos material) will be done on Turkey Lane,” the engineer explained.
He confirmed that two child nurseries and some offices on the Turkey Lane side of the Cathedral have been asked to move during the asbestos removal operation.
St Mary’s Academy students will be on school holidays and are therefore not expected to be affected.
Asbestos is the name given to a group of minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers.
Health experts say exposure to asbestos may increase the risk of asbestosis, other nonmalignant lung and pleural disorders, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers.
Lauwyck says in the case of the Cathedral, the engineers are erring on the side of caution, to ensure that the material is not spread while it is being removed.
Residents on the Western side of the Cathedral are being paid particular attention because they are “down wind” of the project.
“Certain buildings will be blocked off with plastic. The main buildings will be the Methodist Church (and) the Methodist Office,” the engineer told DNO.
The asbestos will be taken down by a Trinidadian team of experts familiar with such projects.
According to Lauwyck, the aim is to have “no release of asbestos fibres”.
He has described the slates on the Cathedral roof as a cement product that contains asbestos fibres, and says if handled properly and not broken there’ll be a minimum threat of pollution.
“This is a very big job, this is more than 20,000 square feet,” he said while expressing confidence that the Trinidadian firm undertaking the project will handle it professionally.
“While they are taking out (the slates) they will have a special vacuum cleaner to vacuum as they take out any dust,” Lauwyck explained.
He has also given assurances that air filters will be placed in seven strategic locations in buildings around the Cathedral to measure if there is any pollution in the air before and during the works.
Post-removal work will also seek to ensure that there has not been any contamination, according to Lauwyck.
The overall Cathedral Renovation project which includes the roof removal is expected to cost the Church some EC$8 million.
Engineer Lauwyck could not give a completion date, because funds were still being solicited for that major project.
He said to date $3.5 million had been collected, but added that “this year already we are spending more than what’s coming in”.
“The figures are huge for us, we have to take it one step at a time,” Lauwyck said.
Well i know that asbestos is big time dangerous
dominicans ask them where they dump that gabbage hope is not in the sea they have to burn that
If this guy worked with asbestos and he is still alive and healthy God will protect the Dominican workers if they follow instructions and do the right thing. God is in charge he will protect His people. Be not afraid. What if a hurricane blew the tiles away?
Yes Mr.Engineer. Domimnicans are not as stupid as u think we are. I lived in the foreign for over 20 years and asbestos dust have killed persons. what are u trying to say>? Come on man educate us dont fool us
Wish I had the funds to assist. We need to preserve such great and historic edifice.
Good job! It is a huge undertaking which will take some years but when it is finished the Cathedral will look more beautiful than it was. God is good! I am certain that the experienced authorities will do their best to handle the asbestos as best as they can.
I would certainly assist in helping this construction. Two weekends I missed two numbers to win a million dollars. It is still something I could use to help out where necessary to this worthy cause. What better place to contribute some dollars to my Catholic Cathedral? I attended many Holy Masses and other Church services there. God will continue to look over the re-construction of His Catholic Church. All is well. All things work together for good to those who love God. If God is for us who can be against us? Praise be to God.
Catholic Dominicans who reside nearby pray to God for this and for the Cathedral to be completed as soon as possible.
I am wishing that I would win an exorbitant sum of money in the lottery (wishing thinking and probably in vain, who knows)
Relative to the asbestos removal in Roseau cathedral, I think that Dominicans, especialy those living in the Virgin Lane area, should take the engineer’s statement with a grain of salt. I’m no expert in asbestos handling or removal, but I know something about its danger and handling. I was Superintendant of Buildings for 4years where I last worked. There was a big asbestos problem in two of the three building under my charge. ( Fire, health, education officials as well as architecs, engineers, pipe-fitters and elevator expert talked with me about that abbestos issue.
To make a long story short, Don’t believe that engineer. Get a second opinion. ASBESTOS IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN MANY PEOPLE THINK. Who knows, the guy might be a bido catholic who wants to help his church by any means necessaary.
I have 4 yrs experience working with an asbestos removal company in NY. I worked on projects mainly in NYC school auditoriums doing protection asbestos material removal. If u say asbestos is on the roof of that building u haven’t begyun to talk protection yet. That vaccum is just a chamber where the workers prepare themselves pior to work. To separate themselves from the work area/environment.
The entire roof of that church should be enclosed and protected. NO DUST MATERIAL should be allowed to escape into the open air. Also, no one should be allowed within a certain safe perimeter of the structure for at least 6 months after asbestos removal has been complete.
I also worked in NYC building dept. Where we would install fiber glass insulation to replace asbestos. No one was allowed to work in these areas before at least a 6 month break. PLEASE BE ADVISED. Working with fiberglass is not totally safe either. A few yrs ago I was asked about nmy experience in asbestos removal. PROTECTION PROTECTION PROTECTION PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!
Just leave the asbestos alone. As long as it is imbedded it presents no problem. The problem will be created when attempts to remove it are made.
To the People of Dominica and the tradesmen undertaking this risky operation.Listed below are some advise you may want to learn about this silent killer.Any form of asbestos are a Health Risk. do take note……
~~~~~~~~Working with asbestos~~~~~~~~~
It’s possible that you’ve worked with, or disturbed asbestos before, but now you’re clued up on how asbestos can affect your life, make sure you avoid disturbing it, or are trained and always work with it safely.
Visit http://www.ukata.org.uk (tel: 01246 824437) or http://www.iatp.org.uk (tel: 0800 211 8498) to enquire about training. Other organisations also offer training.
Always ask your boss if the building has been checked for asbestos, it’s your right to be protected from this dangerous substance.
In non-domestic buildings you have a right to be given information about the condition and location of asbestos by the person who manages the building, before you start work, you must pass this information on to anyone working for you on the job. You should ask for this when tendering or quoting for work, the information about asbestos will help you to cost the job correctly, plan the work safely, preventing potentially expensive surprises on site.
So before you start work on anywhere built before the year 2000, check that:
You are not working on asbestos-containing products
For domestic premises, your boss has told you where asbestos can be found on site
For non-domestic premises, you have seen the information on the location and condition of asbestos before you start work
Don’t start work if:
You are not sure if there is asbestos where you are working
The asbestos materials are sprayed coatings, board or insulation and lagging on pipes and boilers – only licensed contractors should work on these
You have not been trained to do non-licensed work with asbestos. Basic awareness training is not enough
You should only continue to work if:
The work has been properly planned and the right precautions are in place (eg. you have the right equipment)
The materials are asbestos cement, textured coatings and certain other materials which do not need a licence (listed in Asbestos Essentials)
You have had training in asbestos work and know how to work with it safely
If you need to work with asbestos, make sure that you:
Use hand tools – not power tools
Keep materials damp – not too wet
Wear a properly fitted, suitable mask (eg. disposable FFP3 type). An ordinary dust mask will not be effective
Don’t smoke, eat or drink in the work area
Double-bag asbestos waste and label the bags properly
Clean up as you go – use a special (Class H) vacuum cleaner, not a brush
After work, wipe down your overalls with a damp rag or wear disposable overalls (Type 5)
Always remove overalls before removing your mask
Don’t take overalls home to wash
Wear boots without laces or disposable boot covers
Put disposable clothing items in asbestos waste bags and dispose of them properly
Don’t carry asbestos into your car or home
Asbestos Essentials task sheets will show you how to do a range of non-licensed tasks safely. They are free to download at:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials
@ Unbiased Successor
No one is disputing that asbestos is not dangerous specifically if not handled properly. They are doing their homework. They have expertise. They know how to handle it.
People take the necessary precaution – read between the lines the contractor is noted that they are concerned about the numbers – meaning the cost and their profit. Asbestos abatement must be treated with absolute prudence. So far the contractor mentioned a vacuum system and he thinks that we are all stupid to believe to think that the mention of a vacuum system will put us all at ease . Call me pessimist if you like or give me the thumbs down but I hope the authorities take every measure to protect the public. The contractor as indicated is primarily concerned about number – meaning cost and profit. It is the responsibility of the government to protect the people and so the planning authorities must insure that an uncompromised BMP is in place – no partisan, scratch my back , our boyz politics must be allowed to take precedent over people’s lives. The people of Dominica must take this matter seriously – make sure that there is proper air monitoring, inspection , the church must provide consultants to monitor the asbestos removal , approval of procedures and personnel, equipment , critical barriers etc. Is there an emergency planning procedure in place ; What happens to the material and disposal and material handling – are our truckers trained in hazardous material handling;
Dominicans Most people who develop mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibers or ,inhaled asbestos- that is a death sentence . Asbestos fibres causes asbestosis an occupational lung diseases. Doh let people come from overseas with their fancy talk and fool us like they have done in the past. Read and educate yourselves – the contractor’s primary care is profit and margins, the church want their roof; politicians must appease the church and vise versa ; the people get shafted.
Pwen Guard my people. When authorities tell us it’s OK I implore you check for yourselves. Please !!!! Not only are the people of Roseau at risk ; Point Mitchelle , Loubiere, Canefield, Massacre people – not because it’s the church that it is A OK. The same church will charge you money to burry the victims.
God is good man,allu will be safe..
It appears that the necessary bases are being covered to protect the general public. This is comforting
Hmmmm !!!!! westais la ca palais pawol sort. The spray planes was good for the banana fields , gramaxone, asbestos material was all good and bases were covered weee. Our people are so easily fooled. That is exactly why vultures are taking advantage of us – too much ignorance. I hope those who know better demand full disclosure so that their children are protected and while they do so my poor child will benefit from the protection. Somebody tell DNO who will pay for the repercussions. DNO put that in your archive.
God is so great; he exposes things so that his people can see the dirt in the foundation of these religious temples! The engineer is assuring people that the ‘removal’ “should be pretty safe,” but what about the fact that the cathedral has been there for years, and only recently did they suspect abestos. If you ask me, the abestos has done its damage, and people in the area need to pay attention to past/present medical diagnosis, and decide if they will go to church, or court!
You know nothing about this so why spread garbage?
Oh please!! I know a lot, because I pay more attention to the depth of things/people rather than the surface! Try doing that sometimes,,,,it helps you to see the truth behind many evil(s).
@ Anoushah
What type of building you reside in? You are talking/stating a lot of garbage.
They know their jobs and what they are doing. They will handle it professionally. They do not need your advice, comment and negativity, you persecutor and heretic, aiding Satan in his evil works. 
LMBO!! “aiding Satan in his evil works?” Really? Sorry, I don’t know who satan is; I’m too busy with God to reference Satan!
Asbestos exposure becomes a health concern when high concentrations of asbestos fibers are inhaled over a long time period.
Disease is very unlikely to result from a single, high-level exposure, or from a short period of exposure to lower levels.
As asbestos fibers get smaller and lighter, they more easily become airborne and human respiratory exposures can result.
Well i know that asbestos is big time dangerous, spreads in the air like wildfire,protection is a must, and not only with cheap mask,and coverals for the workers, but the work area cased in,asbestos are very thin particules naked to the eye,when inhaling sticks to your lungs forever,which could cause lung cancer that cant be cured.Workers should get big big money for that job, and contractor must have a certificate of safety to work with that stuff.Very had stuff, i know that being a Paint Decorator…
@ faceup
They know better than you and how to handle the situation. They also know how much the workers are paid. Some of you allow your mind to work overtime, minding the business of others. Cool it! St. Paul told us that, “There are some people who do not mind their business.” See about yours.
Did Dominicans get sick from the volcanic ashes which enveloped some parts of the West Indies which affected Dominica a few years ago? When you inhale sulphur which emanates from the sulphur springs did it get anyone sick?