The Department of Health will offer several training courses to get people certified — and recertified — in asbestos removal, the Government announced today.

The asbestos abatement courses will be overseen by an instructor with the US Environmental Protection Agency and are mandatory for those seeking certification in asbestos abatement.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said: “Asbestos is a respiratory hazard that is quite harmful, and anyone intending on working to remove asbestos must be properly trained.

“These courses are vital to ensuring that anyone working with asbestos remains safe.”

The courses follow the requirements of the EPA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, also based in the United States.

The certificate courses for asbestos abatement workers and supervisors will run from May 15 to May 19 from 9am to 5pm.

The worker’s recertification course will take place between May 22 and May 23 from 9am to 4pm.

The supervisor’s recertification course will take place between May 24 and May 25 from 9am to 4pm.

Asbestos was widely used for fireproofing buildings until the 1970s, after which it was deemed carcinogenic because of its loose fibres.

Removal efforts have since taken place and are still active to this day.