SafeWork NSW says Qantas’ cleaning standard is a virus risk
The airline has been given until the end of the month to improve its aircraft cleaning systems after an official inspection labelled them “inadequate”.
Qantas has been ordered to improve how it cleans its aircraft after a damning SafeWork NSW report said it may be putting passengers and staff at risk of infectious disease, such as coronavirus.
The workplace safety watchdog issued an improvement notice to Qantas last week, saying cleaners has been seen wiping tray tables and other surfaces with the same cloth and handling items such as used tissues without proper equipment.
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It comes a day after Qantas cancelled flight QF1 from Sydney to London after it was found several passengers had recently tested positive for coronavirus.
In its safety breach notice, SafeWork NSW said its inspectors found cleaners working on Qantas aircraft did not have adequate protective equipment for their tasks, which included handling soiled nappies, used masks and used tissues.
“The workers advised they occasionally have to clean vomit and blood off surfaces,” the report said.
It said workers and other people “may be exposed to a risk of injury or illness from the inadequate system of work used to clean planes that may have transported passengers with an infectious disease”.
In its order, SafeWork NSW gave Qantas a March 30 deadline to develop a “safe system of work” for cleaners and to work with a hygiene and infection control expert to minimise risk of infectious diseases.
Qantas said it may appeal the notice.
“We are investigating claims made by SafeWork NSW, after an inspector observed one of our aircraft being cleaned in Sydney last week. We are considering appealing the notice,” Qantas said in a statement to news.com.au.
“Qantas is not known for being complacent when it comes to safety or the cleanliness of our aircraft.
“All of our Fleet Presentation teams are provided with personal protective equipment for cleaning the aircraft and for more hazardous items, we have additional equipment such as masks and safety suits.
“Our aircraft are thoroughly cleaned after each international flight.”
The order comes after a Qantas health and safety employee was stood down by the airline after refusing to clean an aircraft coming back to Australia from China due to coronavirus concerns.
Trade Workers Union (TWU) NSW branch secretary Richard Olsen said the investigation by SafeWork NSW “reflects the concerns the worker … raised on the day Qantas stood him down”.
“Workers are worried about the risk to passengers, themselves and their families because of Qantas’s refusal to provide training and protective gear since this outbreak began,” Mr Olsen said.
“Instead of suspending workers and trying to silence them, Qantas needs to start consulting with workers and help reduce the risk of exposure.”
TWU national secretary Michael Kaine called on Qantas to listen to the concerns of its workers and minimise the risk of virus to workers and passengers.
“The idea that workers are forced to use the same wet cloth with no disinfectant on surfaces and floors inside aircraft in the midst of this outbreak will sicken many people and should alert all aviation regulators and the federal government that there is a problem in this airline,” he said.
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