Queensland Rail cleaners fear virus spread amid ‘ridiculous’ schedules and lack of protective gear

Queensland Rail workers have spoken out about poor work practices that may be putting southeast Queensland commuters and workers alike at risk, saying “ridiculous” circumstances mean rollingstock isn’t being cleaned thoroughly.

CORONAVIRUS-WARY rail workers fear for their health as whole trains are ordered cleaned by a single employee with only gloves for protection within a 15-minute time-frame.

A Queensland Rail cleaner, who asked to speak under anonymity, has described how end-of-line trains in the Brisbane region receive only the most cursory of cleaning treatments under “ridiculous” circumstances.

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“We have a pair of gloves to wear when we clean the train down and nothing else, there are no aprons, there is no protective clothing whatsoever aside from our normal clothes,” the QR cleaner said.

“I have been diligent in taking my clothes off in the garage with my shoes and that goes straight into the shower at home, but is that enough?

“I don’t want to pass anything onto my family and I am in two minds about going in to work; it is really stressful.”

The cleaner said staff raised concerns with QR management about a week-and-a-half ago after the lack of protective equipment became clear.

“They have told us to wear our personal protective equipment (PPE) which is all well and good but apart from the one mask everyone was given at the start we have now run out.

“And they told us it is up to us if we want to wear a mask or not because it scares the public when you do.”

Queensland Rail workers warn trains are not being cleaned thoroughly. Picture AAP/David Clark

The worker said concerns were shared by QR rail in other departments also.

“It is only one staff member to a train, which is ridiculous because you can’t clean a train in that time, so it is almost a token gesture that we are there,” the worker said.

“We are putting ourselves at risk for what is not even a thorough clean.

“Even the staff who aren’t cleaning are concerned for us because we just don’t have any protective gear on.”

The QR cleaner said circumstances were slightly better at city centres like Bowen Hill, Roma and Central stations where roving groups of cleaners can provide more thorough service but bemoaned the processes at end-of-line stations like Caboolture, Shorncliffe, Ferny Grove, Beenleigh and Cleveland stations.

“You go to the station to clean and whatever equipment they’ve got that is what you use but none of the stations have any personal protective equipment, no masks, no aprons, nothing apart from the gloves,” the employee said.

However QR CEO Nick Easy said cleaning staff were properly resourced.

“Queensland Rail staff are provided with appropriate PPE, including safety glasses, gloves and masks, as required for each specific cleaning task to be completed safely,” he said.

“All necessary PPE is supplied in line with Safe Work Australia guidelines, and staff are provided with the relevant safe work instructions for any cleaning task required.

“Masks are not required for turn-back cleaning duties, however they are provided to staff who choose to wear them.”

Mr Easy said a comprehensive cleaning schedule had been enacted.

“Queensland Rail has ramped up its cleaning activities for both stations and trains in response to COVID-19, with an enhanced focus on wiping hard touch points with an antibacterial cleaner throughout the day,” he said.

“We are also spraying our trains with an odourless disinfectant, including common touch points.

“In addition to cleaning activities at our train depots, cleaning staff are now also based at turn-back locations, including Kippa-Ring, where our trains dwell for a short period of time before performing their next service.

“The teams are focused on the additional cleaning of hard surfaces such as seat handles, grab bars, handrails, door buttons and traincrew dash boards.

“To support our station staff, Queensland Rail has also tripled the number of staff dedicated to cleaning stations, who are predominantly focused on cleaning high traffic stations during morning and afternoon peak times including South Bank, South Brisbane, Roma Street, Central, Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills.

“Queensland Rail is continuing to work with industry vendors, to ensure an ongoing supply of all essential PPE for staff.”

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A Queensland Health spokesman said a stringent approach to personal hygiene was recommended during the coronavirus crisis.

“To help stop the spread of COVID-19 everyone should clean their hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubs,” the spokesman said.

“This advice applies at all times and should be meticulously followed when hands have been in contact with a shared surface in a public space.”