AWU ‘deeply concerned’ for welfare of Bunnings Smithfield workers after rats linked to lepto

Union reps will make an urgent site visit to the Smithfield Bunnings site, with the AWU expressing its concerns for workers after a team member was struck down with leptospirosis.

Bunnings Smithfield is working to manage a vermin infestation. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Union representatives for Bunnings workers will undertake an urgent site visit and is “deeply concerned” for the safety of staff after a team member was stuck down with a potentially deadly bacteria infection.

On Sunday the nationwide hardware giant confirmed reports of a significant vermin problem at the Smithfield store.

Pest experts say a wet summer, nearby bushland and an abundant food source in the form of pet food made the Smithfield outlet a magnet for rats and mice.

A vermin infestation claimed to be linked to an employee contracting the potentially deadly bacteria infection leptospirosis, but Bunnings management has stated exactly how the worker contracted the infection was “still being investigated”.

A whistleblower claimed rats were running rampant through the store, capturing this photo of rodent droppings.

On Wednesday officials from the Australian Workers’ Union announced a site visit to the Smithfield warehouse.

“It does seem like a real worry. One of our organisers is going out to do a site visit (on Wednesday) to check on workers to make sure all the necessary precautions are being taken,” an AWU source said.

“We are deeply concerned about the welfare of our members, especially working for such a big company like Bunnings.”

A whistleblower, who said they were not directly employed by Bunnings but attended the store for work purposes, claimed the rodents had been around for months but pest exterminators had struggled to contains infestation.

Other sources described some rats loose in the hardware store as being the size of “small cats” and believed they had been attracted to pet food at the store.

The worker said every day vast amounts of dog and cat food had to be discarded due to rats chewing through bags.

Tropical Palms Pest Management owner Kurt Bradshaw said he was not surprised about the rat problem given the location of the outlet close to bushland of Cattana Wetlands and the Cairns Wake Park.

“It’s perfect for native animals,” he said.

Tropical Palms Pest Management owner Kurt Bradshaw has seen an increase in rodent infestations in private homes, stopping the pests by using rat poison and traps. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We have had a lot of rain this summer and we are still getting showers. All this accumulates and it makes really good breeding cycles and the rats are going to get places where they can find food.

“And they have found it at Bunnings where they have an abundance of food with pet food.”

Though Bunnings management disputed claims that a worker had been bitten, Mr Bradshaw said if someone was bitten he suspected a native white tail rat to be the culprit.

“I have heard it happening with white tail rats because they’re super territorial and they can be very aggressive,” he said.

“They can get very big, they look like bandicoots.”

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland confirmed it had been notified about the issues and was working with Bunnings management.

“WHSQ inspectors attended the site and are continuing to make inquiries,” a spokesman said.

Follow @petercarruther1

Originally published as AWU ‘deeply concerned’ for welfare of Bunnings Smithfield workers after rats linked to lepto