TasTAFE automotive workshop had 'unacceptable' carbon monoxide levels in lead-up to hospitalisations, report shows
Staff were raising the alarm for a year before three people were hospitalised with carbon monoxide poisoning. (Supplied: Australian Education Union)
In short:
Staff at a TasTAFE automotive workshop had complained of fumes and headaches for months, before three people were hospitalised with carbon monoxide poisoning.
A report has shown a range of ventilation issues in the building — where engines are required to run for training — resulting in "unacceptable levels" of carbon monoxide.
What's next?
WorkSafe Tasmania is investigating the incident, while the Australian Education Union is urging TasTAFE to find a permanent solution before classes return next year.
A report to TasTAFE shows an automotive training workshop had "unacceptable levels" of carbon monoxide and unsafe ventilation systems in the lead-up to three people being hospitalised.
Two students and a teacher were taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital on November 25 after suffering severe nausea and delirium while in the workshop.
The students were discharged later that day, while the teacher remained an outpatient. All three suffered carbon monoxide poisoning, the Australian Education Union (AEU) Tasmania said.
The automotive workshop at TasTAFE in the Hobart CBD where a carbon monoxide incident occurred. (Supplied)
The workshop is held in the basement and ground floor of a multi-storey building.
It includes vehicle engines that are required to run at certain times during training, but over the past 12 months, staff have reported fumes and headaches in various parts of the building.
After an evacuation and complaint in August, TasTAFE commissioned an external air quality report that provided drafts in September and November, and then a final report two days after the poisoning incident.
It found that the ground-level workshop had a "low air exchange" and could not remove all fumes that would build up. The fumes could travel through an open door into the student lounge, and then an office area.
The air quality report identified the direction of fumes and air flow from unsealed vents. (Supplied: Environmental Service & Design)
An old forced air system had been "blanked off" several years ago.
A general air extraction system was only being used when engines were running, due to it being too noisy.
The report found these issues contributed to the build-up of fumes.
"Both issues combine to produce contaminating effects in the workshops that result in unacceptable levels of carbon monoxide being released into the workshop and offices," it reads.
It recommended opening a roller door by 500 millimetres when engines were operating, to keep the general extraction system operating, the use of air quality meters and looking into reinstating ducted air inlets.
In a letter on November 29, a building consultant told TasTAFE that "none of the systems are intrinsically safe" and were "not suitable for explosive fumes".
WorkSafe Tasmania is investigating the poisoning incident.
To increase ventilation, opening a roller door 500mm was recommended — but the union said this was not an adequate measure to protect staff and students. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)
Union urges a permanent fix
The AEU is concerned that TasTAFE knew about the risks for months and claims it had not adequately protected staff and students.
TasTAFE teacher Tristan Sabol said the fumes problem was raised at workplace health and safety meetings multiple times.
"Those extraction systems aren't working at their full capacity, there's been no maintenance on those extraction systems, as well as the fumes getting blown back into the workshops," he said.
"Workers are telling me … that it is not a safe workplace, and they do not feel safe to come into this facility."
He said the interim solution of opening the roller door was not sufficient.
AEU president David Genford questioned why such a workshop was being held in the basement in the first place. (ABC News: Owain Stia James)
The workshop is no longer being used due to the end of the teaching period.
AEU Tasmania president David Genford said TasTAFE needed to find a permanent solution before teaching resumes next year.
"Should we be having automotive classes at the bottom of a basement of a five-storey building? It's a legitimate question," he said.
"The government needs to actually step up, as well as TasTAFE, to make sure that they put the funding in so that these areas can be safe."
An earlier proposal to relocate the automotive area to another campus did not progress.
No issue if 'safe procedures' followed, TAFE says
TasTAFE chief executive Grant Dreher sent out an all-staff email on Thursday saying it would cooperate with the WorkSafe investigation and the engine that was being used at the time would not be brought back into service until released by WorkSafe.
He said the WorkSafe findings would be released "as soon as possible".
"Recent occupational hygiene testing in the automotive workshops show that when the safe operating procedures are followed, there is no overexposure to carbon monoxide and the space is safe for our staff and students," Mr Dreher wrote.
TasTAFE said it would comply with the WorkSafe investigation. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)
"We are aware of information being circulated that the air in the Campbell Street building is not safe for staff or students.
"There is no evidence to support these claims."
The ABC asked what immediate measures had been introduced to protect staff in the workshop, why the workshop remained in use given the potential severity of carbon monoxide-related health outcomes, and why a permanent solution had not been implemented when staff complained of headaches.
TasTAFE responded with a near-identical statement to Mr Dreher's email.
When asked what TasTAFE meant by "safe operating procedures", the organisation said it had "nothing further to add" until the WorkSafe investigation had concluded.
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