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Canberra Today 14°/16° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Heatwave, smoke health warning from unions

UnionsACT has issued a workplace alert about the serious risks to workers health of the combination of the heatwave and smoke.

Alex White
UnionsACT secretary Alex White.

Secretary Alex White says: “The combination of toxic bushfire smoke and the heatwave is a serious risk to the health and safety of working people in the ACT.

“Employers are legally obligated to ensure workers have healthy workplaces. This means employers, including building owners and commercial landlords, must take steps to ensure workplaces are smoke free and kept at a healthy temperature range.”

He say the air quality index in Canberra is over 150 at the Civic and Monash air quality station, and over 100 at the Florey air quality station.

“Air pollution, especially fine particulates (PM2.5), has no safe level of exposure. Air quality index ratings above 100 exceeds the national standard. At 150 or above, according to Commonwealth environmental health authorities, ‘everyone may begin to experience health effects’,” he says.

“Non-essential outdoor work should be rescheduled, and employers must provide alternative duties while the smoke or heat pose a health hazard.

“Employers cannot claim ‘ignorance’ of the risks of the smoke or heat as a defence for exposing workers to workplace health hazards.”

UnionsACT has prepared a fact sheet for employers about their obligations: unionsact.org.au/smoke

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