❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses concerns about mould contamination at Pilbara Institute campuses, including staff health issues, management responses, and the effectiveness of remediation efforts. The Minister's response provides data on reported respiratory infections, denies official complaints of bullying or forced return to work, defends testing procedures, and declines further independent assessment, citing existing measures.
AnsweredQoN 6811Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the ongoing issues with mould at the South Hedland and Pundlemurra campuses of the Pilbara Institute (ex Tafe), and following the comment in emails to staff in early July by the Director of Corporate Services that there was a ‘one in a million’ chance of mould infecting the lung:
(a) will the Minister provide a full and detailed list of the dates and the numbers of reports of lung and respiratory infections from staff of both campuses;
(b) is the Minister aware of complaints from staff that management have adopted a bullying attitude towards staff who have complained of ill-health;
(c) is the Minister aware of complaints from staff that management are demanding that they return to work citing a report dated 31 August 2011 to suggest that many areas are clear of any spores;
(d) can the minister explain why the 31 August 2011 test results, purported to be from the reception, staff kitchen, compactor, directors office, council kitchen, and certain offices & book rooms at the South Hedland Campus showed a result of no growth for fungal count, a result more consistent with a sterile laboratory atmosphere than in areas open to the outside and frequented by people;
(e) is the Minister aware of staff complaints that the firm currently charged with removing mould from both campuses is using inexperienced backpackers as casual labour to assist with the clean up; and
(f) will the Minister now authorise an independent assessment of the air & surface counts of spores at the South Hedland and Pundlemurra campuses as staff & students are continuing to fall sick, and
(i) if not, why not?
(a) will the Minister provide a full and detailed list of the dates and the numbers of reports of lung and respiratory infections from staff of both campuses;
(b) is the Minister aware of complaints from staff that management have adopted a bullying attitude towards staff who have complained of ill-health;
(c) is the Minister aware of complaints from staff that management are demanding that they return to work citing a report dated 31 August 2011 to suggest that many areas are clear of any spores;
(d) can the minister explain why the 31 August 2011 test results, purported to be from the reception, staff kitchen, compactor, directors office, council kitchen, and certain offices & book rooms at the South Hedland Campus showed a result of no growth for fungal count, a result more consistent with a sterile laboratory atmosphere than in areas open to the outside and frequented by people;
(e) is the Minister aware of staff complaints that the firm currently charged with removing mould from both campuses is using inexperienced backpackers as casual labour to assist with the clean up; and
(f) will the Minister now authorise an independent assessment of the air & surface counts of spores at the South Hedland and Pundlemurra campuses as staff & students are continuing to fall sick, and
(i) if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 February 2012
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Training and Workforce Development
Response time
89 days
(a) As at 12 December 2011, Dates and numbers of incidents for lung and respiratory infections are:
Campus
Date
South Hedland
Pundulmurra
1 March 2011
2
8 August 2011
1
10 August 2011
1
15 August 2011
1
7 September 2011
1
9 September 2011
1
12 September 2011
1
19 September 2011
1
20 September 2011
1
6 October 2011
1 (staff member worked across both campuses)
31 October 2011
1
7 November 2011
1
8 November 2011
1
21 November 2011
1
Total
15
(b) Pilbara Institute advises that it has not received any official complaints from staff which suggest management has adopted a bullying attitude towards staff who have complained of ill-health.
(c) Pilbara Institute advises that it has not received any official complaints from staff which suggest management have demanded they return to work.
(d) Pilbara Institute advises that contractors work to guidelines provided by Building Management and Works (BMW) and send tests to independent laboratories for analysis. This was the process used for the test results provided dated 31 August 2011.
(e) Pilbara Institute advises it is not aware of any complaints from staff in relation to inexperienced backpackers being used as casual labour by the contracted firm. The contractor was contracted through Building Management and Works and has worked to guidelines provided by them.
(f) No
(i) Pilbara Institute advises its South Hedland and Pundulmurra Campuses have now been thoroughly and appropriately tested. The Institute has a draft Mould Management Plan approved by its OSH Committee which will be adopted as policy. The Mould Management Plan will be used to identify and manage mould on an ongoing basis across the organisation.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
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Campus
Date
South Hedland
Pundulmurra
1 March 2011
2
8 August 2011
1
10 August 2011
1
15 August 2011
1
7 September 2011
1
9 September 2011
1
12 September 2011
1
19 September 2011
1
20 September 2011
1
6 October 2011
1 (staff member worked across both campuses)
31 October 2011
1
7 November 2011
1
8 November 2011
1
21 November 2011
1
Total
15
(b) Pilbara Institute advises that it has not received any official complaints from staff which suggest management has adopted a bullying attitude towards staff who have complained of ill-health.
(c) Pilbara Institute advises that it has not received any official complaints from staff which suggest management have demanded they return to work.
(d) Pilbara Institute advises that contractors work to guidelines provided by Building Management and Works (BMW) and send tests to independent laboratories for analysis. This was the process used for the test results provided dated 31 August 2011.
(e) Pilbara Institute advises it is not aware of any complaints from staff in relation to inexperienced backpackers being used as casual labour by the contracted firm. The contractor was contracted through Building Management and Works and has worked to guidelines provided by them.
(f) No
(i) Pilbara Institute advises its South Hedland and Pundulmurra Campuses have now been thoroughly and appropriately tested. The Institute has a draft Mould Management Plan approved by its OSH Committee which will be adopted as policy. The Mould Management Plan will be used to identify and manage mould on an ongoing basis across the organisation.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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