QF CC:Swine Flu and Towel Collection

[Crossing Guard]

Questions:
1.Why hasnt there been a directive regarding towel collection(from either Qantas or the FAAA) during the curent Swine Flu Pandemic?
2.Can/should CC collect these soiled towels with gloves?
3.If not why not?
4.While airlines have every right to differentiate their service is it prudent to continue do so while endangering their employees with possible infection.?

[argusmoon]

Towels have always been a problem.
Welcomed by most passengers they can be abused.
Some travellers empty their nose and throat contents into towels.Some even clean their ears.
Picking up a towel containing an oyster without gloves is just asking for trouble.
There is nowhere in any company manual that indicates that gloves must not be used for collection.
Its always been a marketing circumstance

[surfside6]

Every food handler should wear gloves.
Cabin Crew handle food they therefore should wear gloves.
I always wear gloves when collecting towels.
I have been threatened by some OBMs but it comes to nothing.
OHS and duty of care are at issue here

[OCCR]

I think there are more important things to worry about!

Just wear gloves, or if there is a D!(khead OBM simply throw them out and tell them none were loaded.... how simple is that!

[tail wheel]

I really don't see this as being an important topic of general interest to the professional pilot community.

I certainly do not want to know what you find in used towels! :yuk:

I think your employer has a duty of care to ensure all crew receive appropriate flu immunisation and medication.

May I suggest you take these matter up direct with your employer or your Union?

Tail Wheel