A WA parliamentary question addresses mould outbreaks at South Hedland and Pundulmurra TAFE campuses, inquiring about discovery dates, staff notification, remediation efforts, WorkSafe involvement, and related health concerns. The Minister provides dates, actions taken, and lack of formal WorkSafe notification.

AnsweredQoN 807Legislative Council
Asked
22 September 2011
Portfolio
Training and Workforce Development

QuestionView source ↗

SOUTH HEDLAND AND PUNDULMURRA TAFE CAMPUSES — BUILDING MOULD
I refer to the mould outbreak in buildings at South Hedland and Pundulmurra TAFE campuses. (1) When was the mould first discovered at these Pilbara TAFE campuses, and when and how were staff notified of the mould issues? (2) When did the mould remediation efforts first commence, and how was the remediation process carried out and by whom? (3) When was WorkSafe notified; and will the minister table a copy of the notification; and, if not, why not? (4) What health-related issues have been raised with WorkSafe or TAFE management that relate to this mould outbreak? Hon PETER COLLIER

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Mould was first discovered at the South Hedland campus in March 2011 and at the Pundulmurra campus in June 2011. Relevant staff at the South Hedland campus were advised verbally in April 2011, and all staff were notified in July 2011 when further testing was completed. At the Pundulmurra campus, all staff received email notification in July 2011. (2) In South Hedland, the mould remediation efforts by Mycologia Pty Ltd first commenced in April 2011. Further testing was carried out and mitigation commenced on the basis of the further testing. This work involved sealing off the area and cleaning via heating, ventilation and air conditioning and ozone systems. The work was completed in July 2011 with clear test results provided. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at South Hedland campus. At Pundulmurra campus, ceiling panels were replaced by contractors Vath Junkerss. This commenced on 7 June 2011 and was completed on 10 June 2011. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at Pundulmurra campus. (3) WorkSafe was not formally notified by Pilbara TAFE, although the director of corporate services has been engaged in informal discussions with WorkSafe on the matter. (4) I understand that employees have raised concerns with Pilbara TAFE management regarding potential respiratory problems. I cannot comment, however, on what information has been provided to WorkSafe as there has not been a formal notification at this point.
(1) When was the mould first discovered at these Pilbara TAFE campuses, and when and how were staff notified of the mould issues? (2) When did the mould remediation efforts first commence, and how was the remediation process carried out and by whom? (3) When was WorkSafe notified; and will the minister table a copy of the notification; and, if not, why not? (4) What health-related issues have been raised with WorkSafe or TAFE management that relate to this mould outbreak? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Mould was first discovered at the South Hedland campus in March 2011 and at the Pundulmurra campus in June 2011. Relevant staff at the South Hedland campus were advised verbally in April 2011, and all staff were notified in July 2011 when further testing was completed. At the Pundulmurra campus, all staff received email notification in July 2011. (2) In South Hedland, the mould remediation efforts by Mycologia Pty Ltd first commenced in April 2011. Further testing was carried out and mitigation commenced on the basis of the further testing. This work involved sealing off the area and cleaning via heating, ventilation and air conditioning and ozone systems. The work was completed in July 2011 with clear test results provided. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at South Hedland campus. At Pundulmurra campus, ceiling panels were replaced by contractors Vath Junkerss. This commenced on 7 June 2011 and was completed on 10 June 2011. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at Pundulmurra campus. (3) WorkSafe was not formally notified by Pilbara TAFE, although the director of corporate services has been engaged in informal discussions with WorkSafe on the matter. (4) I understand that employees have raised concerns with Pilbara TAFE management regarding potential respiratory problems. I cannot comment, however, on what information has been provided to WorkSafe as there has not been a formal notification at this point.
(2) When did the mould remediation efforts first commence, and how was the remediation process carried out and by whom? (3) When was WorkSafe notified; and will the minister table a copy of the notification; and, if not, why not? (4) What health-related issues have been raised with WorkSafe or TAFE management that relate to this mould outbreak? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Mould was first discovered at the South Hedland campus in March 2011 and at the Pundulmurra campus in June 2011. Relevant staff at the South Hedland campus were advised verbally in April 2011, and all staff were notified in July 2011 when further testing was completed. At the Pundulmurra campus, all staff received email notification in July 2011. (2) In South Hedland, the mould remediation efforts by Mycologia Pty Ltd first commenced in April 2011. Further testing was carried out and mitigation commenced on the basis of the further testing. This work involved sealing off the area and cleaning via heating, ventilation and air conditioning and ozone systems. The work was completed in July 2011 with clear test results provided. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at South Hedland campus. At Pundulmurra campus, ceiling panels were replaced by contractors Vath Junkerss. This commenced on 7 June 2011 and was completed on 10 June 2011. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at Pundulmurra campus. (3) WorkSafe was not formally notified by Pilbara TAFE, although the director of corporate services has been engaged in informal discussions with WorkSafe on the matter. (4) I understand that employees have raised concerns with Pilbara TAFE management regarding potential respiratory problems. I cannot comment, however, on what information has been provided to WorkSafe as there has not been a formal notification at this point.
(3) When was WorkSafe notified; and will the minister table a copy of the notification; and, if not, why not? (4) What health-related issues have been raised with WorkSafe or TAFE management that relate to this mould outbreak? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Mould was first discovered at the South Hedland campus in March 2011 and at the Pundulmurra campus in June 2011. Relevant staff at the South Hedland campus were advised verbally in April 2011, and all staff were notified in July 2011 when further testing was completed. At the Pundulmurra campus, all staff received email notification in July 2011. (2) In South Hedland, the mould remediation efforts by Mycologia Pty Ltd first commenced in April 2011. Further testing was carried out and mitigation commenced on the basis of the further testing. This work involved sealing off the area and cleaning via heating, ventilation and air conditioning and ozone systems. The work was completed in July 2011 with clear test results provided. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at South Hedland campus. At Pundulmurra campus, ceiling panels were replaced by contractors Vath Junkerss. This commenced on 7 June 2011 and was completed on 10 June 2011. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at Pundulmurra campus. (3) WorkSafe was not formally notified by Pilbara TAFE, although the director of corporate services has been engaged in informal discussions with WorkSafe on the matter. (4) I understand that employees have raised concerns with Pilbara TAFE management regarding potential respiratory problems. I cannot comment, however, on what information has been provided to WorkSafe as there has not been a formal notification at this point.
(4) What health-related issues have been raised with WorkSafe or TAFE management that relate to this mould outbreak? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Mould was first discovered at the South Hedland campus in March 2011 and at the Pundulmurra campus in June 2011. Relevant staff at the South Hedland campus were advised verbally in April 2011, and all staff were notified in July 2011 when further testing was completed. At the Pundulmurra campus, all staff received email notification in July 2011. (2) In South Hedland, the mould remediation efforts by Mycologia Pty Ltd first commenced in April 2011. Further testing was carried out and mitigation commenced on the basis of the further testing. This work involved sealing off the area and cleaning via heating, ventilation and air conditioning and ozone systems. The work was completed in July 2011 with clear test results provided. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at South Hedland campus. At Pundulmurra campus, ceiling panels were replaced by contractors Vath Junkerss. This commenced on 7 June 2011 and was completed on 10 June 2011. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at Pundulmurra campus. (3) WorkSafe was not formally notified by Pilbara TAFE, although the director of corporate services has been engaged in informal discussions with WorkSafe on the matter. (4) I understand that employees have raised concerns with Pilbara TAFE management regarding potential respiratory problems. I cannot comment, however, on what information has been provided to WorkSafe as there has not been a formal notification at this point.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Mould was first discovered at the South Hedland campus in March 2011 and at the Pundulmurra campus in June 2011. Relevant staff at the South Hedland campus were advised verbally in April 2011, and all staff were notified in July 2011 when further testing was completed. At the Pundulmurra campus, all staff received email notification in July 2011. (2) In South Hedland, the mould remediation efforts by Mycologia Pty Ltd first commenced in April 2011. Further testing was carried out and mitigation commenced on the basis of the further testing. This work involved sealing off the area and cleaning via heating, ventilation and air conditioning and ozone systems. The work was completed in July 2011 with clear test results provided. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at South Hedland campus. At Pundulmurra campus, ceiling panels were replaced by contractors Vath Junkerss. This commenced on 7 June 2011 and was completed on 10 June 2011. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at Pundulmurra campus. (3) WorkSafe was not formally notified by Pilbara TAFE, although the director of corporate services has been engaged in informal discussions with WorkSafe on the matter. (4) I understand that employees have raised concerns with Pilbara TAFE management regarding potential respiratory problems. I cannot comment, however, on what information has been provided to WorkSafe as there has not been a formal notification at this point.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Mould was first discovered at the South Hedland campus in March 2011 and at the Pundulmurra campus in June 2011. Relevant staff at the South Hedland campus were advised verbally in April 2011, and all staff were notified in July 2011 when further testing was completed. At the Pundulmurra campus, all staff received email notification in July 2011. (2) In South Hedland, the mould remediation efforts by Mycologia Pty Ltd first commenced in April 2011. Further testing was carried out and mitigation commenced on the basis of the further testing. This work involved sealing off the area and cleaning via heating, ventilation and air conditioning and ozone systems. The work was completed in July 2011 with clear test results provided. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at South Hedland campus. At Pundulmurra campus, ceiling panels were replaced by contractors Vath Junkerss. This commenced on 7 June 2011 and was completed on 10 June 2011. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at Pundulmurra campus. (3) WorkSafe was not formally notified by Pilbara TAFE, although the director of corporate services has been engaged in informal discussions with WorkSafe on the matter. (4) I understand that employees have raised concerns with Pilbara TAFE management regarding potential respiratory problems. I cannot comment, however, on what information has been provided to WorkSafe as there has not been a formal notification at this point.
(1) Mould was first discovered at the South Hedland campus in March 2011 and at the Pundulmurra campus in June 2011. Relevant staff at the South Hedland campus were advised verbally in April 2011, and all staff were notified in July 2011 when further testing was completed. At the Pundulmurra campus, all staff received email notification in July 2011. (2) In South Hedland, the mould remediation efforts by Mycologia Pty Ltd first commenced in April 2011. Further testing was carried out and mitigation commenced on the basis of the further testing. This work involved sealing off the area and cleaning via heating, ventilation and air conditioning and ozone systems. The work was completed in July 2011 with clear test results provided. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at South Hedland campus. At Pundulmurra campus, ceiling panels were replaced by contractors Vath Junkerss. This commenced on 7 June 2011 and was completed on 10 June 2011. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at Pundulmurra campus. (3) WorkSafe was not formally notified by Pilbara TAFE, although the director of corporate services has been engaged in informal discussions with WorkSafe on the matter. (4) I understand that employees have raised concerns with Pilbara TAFE management regarding potential respiratory problems. I cannot comment, however, on what information has been provided to WorkSafe as there has not been a formal notification at this point.
(2) In South Hedland, the mould remediation efforts by Mycologia Pty Ltd first commenced in April 2011. Further testing was carried out and mitigation commenced on the basis of the further testing. This work involved sealing off the area and cleaning via heating, ventilation and air conditioning and ozone systems. The work was completed in July 2011 with clear test results provided. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at South Hedland campus. At Pundulmurra campus, ceiling panels were replaced by contractors Vath Junkerss. This commenced on 7 June 2011 and was completed on 10 June 2011. Since this incident, the college has initiated further testing and further remediation efforts at Pundulmurra campus. (3) WorkSafe was not formally notified by Pilbara TAFE, although the director of corporate services has been engaged in informal discussions with WorkSafe on the matter. (4) I understand that employees have raised concerns with Pilbara TAFE management regarding potential respiratory problems. I cannot comment, however, on what information has been provided to WorkSafe as there has not been a formal notification at this point.
(3) WorkSafe was not formally notified by Pilbara TAFE, although the director of corporate services has been engaged in informal discussions with WorkSafe on the matter. (4) I understand that employees have raised concerns with Pilbara TAFE management regarding potential respiratory problems. I cannot comment, however, on what information has been provided to WorkSafe as there has not been a formal notification at this point.
(4) I understand that employees have raised concerns with Pilbara TAFE management regarding potential respiratory problems. I cannot comment, however, on what information has been provided to WorkSafe as there has not been a formal notification at this point.

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