Communication Workers Union (Victorian Branch)
Review and recommendations – atmospheric smoke exposure to postal workers
The 2019-2020 summer bushfire disaster in southern and eastern Australia has led to unprecedented and widespread hazardous smoke exposure to a large number of people including outdoor workers, in major population centres including Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, inter alia.
Unlike fireground smoke exposure by emergency personnel, atmospheric smoke exposure by non-emergency workers is a relatively newly recognised occupational hazard in Australia.
In the last two weeks, public health and safety agencies have brought a sudden and sharp focus onto risk management of outdoor workers. Main countermeasures proposed by Australia Post include use of personal protective equipment in the form of P2 masks, and restrictions on outdoor work.
Excerpts and/or dot point summaries from information released by Australia Post and by relevant authorities are reproduced below. The excerpts are selective.
The purpose of this review is to provide timely expert advice and union recommendations from the perspective of Victorian postal workers potentially exposed to bushfire smoke hazards, in time to be considered prior to and during any further decision making relating to the remainder of the 2019/2020 summer bushfire season.
The information is provided in order to formally serve as part of consultation processes required by Australian Law (Commonwealth Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Sections 46-49, and relevant Regulations). Duty holders are required to communicate information to, and to consult with, workers and health and safety representatives.
The Communication Workers Union (Victorian Branch) requests that it be consulted by the Australia Post’s State Incident Response Committee for Victoria, and would like to be involved in any way that can assist the assessment and management of risk to postal workers in the immediate and longer term.
Some key events relevant to Australia Post workers over the summer of 2019-2020 are summarised below.
Date |
What happened |
December 2019 to January 2020 |
Extreme heat across the whole of Australia. Large scale bushfires break out affecting all states. Intense smoke from fires pollutes major cities, with Canberra and Melbourne rated as most polluted cities in the world at times. Postal deliveries in Canberra cease for multiple days. |
2 January 2020 |
Communication Workers Union (Victorian Branch) notified of fire smoke being drawn into the Melbourne Parcel Facility by the evaporative cooling system. P2 masks issued to workers. |
6 January 2020 |
Fact sheet issued by the Australian Acting Chief Medical Officer and State and Territory Chief Health Officers: Advice on the use of masks for those exposed to bushfire smoke. |
8 January 2020 |
Australia Post releases a guidance note regarding Hazardous Conditions relating to bushfire smoke. |
13 January 2020 |
A health and safety representative at a delivery centre in Melbourne’s outer north east, confronted by an EPA rating of Hazardous smoke conditions in his designated working group’s area, issued a Provisional Improvement Notice aimed at keeping postal delivery officers safe on days of hazardous smoke exposure. |
15 January 2020 |
Worksafe Victoria issues guidance note Health risks of outdoor work in areas impacted by bushfire smoke |
17 January 2020 |
Comcare officers visit postal the delivery centre in Melbourne’s outer north east to investigate the PIN notice issued on Monday 13 January (above). They consult with management and separately with the health and safety representative and his advisors from the Communication Workers Union (Victorian Branch). |
Some key points:
Some key points:
With bushfires impacting communities across Australia, Comcare would like to advise PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) of their obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011.
PCBUs must ensure they provide and maintain a safe working environment for their workers in indoor and outdoor environments so as far as is reasonably practicable.
Indoor working environments
PCBUs should ensure that indoor environments are safe and without risks to health for workers during periods of elevated smoke. PCBUs should:
PCBUs can contact Comcare via WHS.help@comcare.gov.au for further information.
Indoor air quality
There is no single Australian standard that addresses acceptable indoor air quality.
PCBUs should work with their property teams and/or building landlords to address any concerns about indoor air quality resulting from bushfire smoke.
Outdoor working environments
PCBUs should ensure that outdoor or field work is rescheduled until conditions (e.g. visibility and air quality) improve. However, if work needs to go ahead PCBUs should take the following steps:
Some key points:
Some key points:
Air quality and recommendations
The information below provides guidance on what level of physical activity is safe to do in different levels of air quality, and recommended respiratory protective equipment. Employers should undertake an assessment of their specific work activities to determine the appropriate risk controls.
Physical activity
Most postal delivery work is at least Moderate physical activity.
Recommended advice: general population (not sensitive):
For anyone indoors, including vehicle cabins, close the doors and windows to prevent smoke and dust entering the workplace. Switch air conditioners to recycle or recirculate, to eliminate or minimise the requirement for outside air. Do not use an evaporative air cooler.
Recommended respiratory protective equipment:
If employee is required to do light physical activity outdoors for minimal (short) period of time:
If employee is required to do moderate physical activity outdoors for short periods of time, they should wear a P2 disposable mask. Employers should consider:
If an employee has facial hair, a P2 disposable mask will not provide protection. The employee should:
Recommended advice:
General population (not sensitive):
For anyone indoors, including vehicle cabins, close the doors and windows to prevent smoke and dust entering the workplace. Switch air conditioners to recycle or recirculate, to eliminate or minimise the requirement for outside air. Do not use an evaporative air cooler.
Recommended respiratory protective equipment:
As for Very Poor air quality (above).
Leroy Lazaro Mark Hennessy
Branch Secretary Branch Health and Safety Officer
21 January 2010