Call for independent tests over asbestos claim

A company accused of supplying Malta Shipyards with jointing sheets containing asbestos has called for independent and accredited tests to be carried out on the sheets.

Inter-Power Ltd made this request in a counter-protest filed yesterday in a reaction to a judicial protest filed two weeks ago.

Malta Shipyards had filed the protest in the First Hall of the Civil Court against Inter-Power Ltd and its representatives Edward and Keith Micallef St John.

In the protest, Malta Shipyards claimed it had bought several supplies of jointing sheets from Inter-Power.

According to the specifications, the jointing sheets were to be asbestos-free but when tested, the shipyards found that the sheets contained traces of asbestos.

In the counter-protest filed yesterday, Inter-Power explained that it had supplied Malta Shipyards with jointing sheets of the brand YG Butterfly.

On February 20, Inter-Power received an e-mail claiming that traces of asbestos had been found in the jointing sheets which, according to specifications, were to be asbestos-free.

That same day, officials from the Health and Safety Authority carried out an inspection at the Inter-Power offices.

The company cooperated with the authorities since it had always acted in buona fede. Documentation showed that Inter-Power had ordered asbestos-free material.

The following day, Inter-Power collected all the jointing sheets alleged to contain asbestos.

Meanwhile Inter-Power asked Malta Shipyards for a copy of the test reports showing the presence of asbestos so that it could take up the matter with its suppliers. But Malta Shipyards refused to hand over the reports.

Inter-Power said it expected that independent tests of the jointing sheets be carried out to verify the allegations by Malta Shipyards and even requested the shipyards to be present during such tests.

But Malta Shipyard had not replied to this request.

Inter-Power concluded by saying that the Shipyards had tried to portray the company in bad light but had not substantiated the allegations. It held Malta Shipyards liable in damages.

Lawyer Christine Bellizzi signed the counter-protest.