The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has launched an investigation into workplace conditions at the Ormonde Brick factory in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny.
It is understood the concerns centre on fears that employees may be suffering from illnesses related to silica-dust and asbestos.
Siptu, which represents about 70 workers at the factory, has been in contact with the HSA. The union said yesterday that company management had agreed to offer health screening to all employees.
Separately, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which licenses the factory, said yesterday it had contacted the company about an alleged incident when bricks being fired in an asbestos-lined kiln melted on the weekend of March 11th and 12th.
An EPA spokeswoman said an inspector had requested details from the company and would decide later this week if an on-site visit was necessary.
Ormonde Brick confirmed it changed some of its kiln burners from gas to oil during the weekend of March 11th-12th.
The company received approval for this in writing from the EPA last December 23rd.
The HSA carried out regular inspections at Ormonde Brick Ltd and had not reported any concerns relating to health issues. The most recent inspection took place on March 6th.
Ormonde Brick is a subsidiary of Cement Roadstone Holdings and the leading producer of fired-clay facing bricks in Ireland.
In a statement yesterday CRH said "asbestos insulation material is embedded in a number of cars in operation at the Ormonde Brick plant".
A separate inquiry, led by the Department of Agriculture, is underway into problems at a nearby 170-acre farm operated by Dan Brennan, whose dairy herd has experienced low milk yield and high calf mortality.
Local vets, experts from the Veterinary College in UCD, the Department of Agriculture, Teagasc and the EPA have so far failed to come up with an explanation.
A senior veterinary research officer at the Department of Agriculture has said the problems on the farm "constitute an epizootic disease".
Mr Brennan said investigations were ongoing and a statement was expected soon from the Department of Agriculture.
Green Party deputy leader Mary White has asked the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament to investigate the problems on the Brennan farm.
Cllr White has contacted the Irish members of the committee, Mairéad McGuinness and Proinsias De Rossa, to request their support.
Ormonde Brick has rejected "allegations made in relation to its plant" and the Brennan farm.
