Members breathe easy after methyl bromide fumigation ceases.
NUW members working at Qenos in Altona can now breathe easy after a collaborated effort to cease methyl bromide fumigation has been successful.
The Union’s Health and Safety Rep Support Officer, received a call from Qenos HSR Lou Mercieca advising that members at the site had grave concerns about methyl bromide fumigation being conducted at Viking Transport next door to their site.
Lou had found that logs were being removed from areas burnt in the Black Saturday bushfires and fumigated in large piles next door to Qenos, prior to being exported for timber. Methyl bromide is a known carcinogen which has been banned in the EU. Recent research indicates that it may also cause motor neurone disease. It has been phased out of use in Australia since 2004, but can still be used for fumigation of import and export material. It is a colourless and odourless gas.
The Union contacted WorkSafe and Hobsons Bay Council. The Council has informed Qenos members that there will be no more fumigation occurring at Viking. Viking has removed all fumigated logs from the site.
In response to concerns raised by Lou, Qenos agreed to test the areas adjacent to Viking and has found that any traces of methyl bromide are within safe levels.
The NUW's OHS rep urged workers to be vigilant about the dangers of methyl bromide, particularly at sites where members unpack import containers. Members or Health and Safety Reps can contact the union OHS rep on 9287 1773 or 1300 275 689.
