View Full Version : Filthy cleaning practices
gordonfvckingramsay
6th Mar 2020, 04:22
https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/health-safety/safework-nsw-says-qantas-cleaning-standard-is-a-virus-risk/news-story/2e8fe1a9c3febec83ea4946b29733fda
https://www.2gb.com/horrified-frustrated-outraged-qantas-slammed-over-handling-of-coronavirus/
With aircraft being a proven vector for this virus and our nations flag carrier a beacon of the safety first policy, it’s a wonder they even entertain the thought of appealing the decision from SafeWork NSW.
https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/health-safety/safework-nsw-says-qantas-cleaning-standard-is-a-virus-risk/news-story/2e8fe1a9c3febec83ea4946b29733fda
https://www.2gb.com/horrified-frustrated-outraged-qantas-slammed-over-handling-of-coronavirus/
With aircraft being a proven vector for this virus and our nations flag carrier a beacon of the safety first policy, it’s a wonder they even entertain the thought of appealing the decision from SafeWork NSW.
Can you advise the source of this proof?
From SMH
Qantas has been ordered to improve how it cleans its aircraft after a workplace safety inspection found the airline could be putting workers and passengers at risk of catching coronavirus.
SafeWork NSW issued the airline with an improvement notice on February 26, after an inspector found that workers or passengers could be put at risk due its "inadequate system of work used to clean planes that may have transported passengers with an infectious disease".
A Qantas spokesman said the airline was investigating SafeWork NSW's claims and was "considering appealing the notice".
"Our aircraft are thoroughly cleaned after each international flight," he said.
The safety breach notice, seen by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, says that the inspector witnessed cleaners wiping over multiple plane tray tables with the same cloth without using disinfectant, and cleaning "unknown liquids" on floors and surfaces.
The inspector witnessed cleaners on the aircraft handling wet and used tissues, used face masks and soiled nappies, and workers told the safety watchdog they occasionally had to clean up vomit and blood.
SafeWork NSW has ordered the airline to consult with a health specialist to develop a system specifically to deal with COVID-19.
"[Personal protective equipment] was not mandated for the majority of these tasks", the notice says.
There have been multiple confirmed cases of people carrying COVID-19 on flights to and within Australia, including on a Qantas jet.
SafeWork NSW ordered Qantas to develop and maintain a "safe system of work" for cleaning aircraft to minimise the risk of workers and other people catching infectious diseases, including COVID-19, by March 30.
It also ordered the airline to consult with a health specialist to develop a system specifically to deal with COVID-19, and recommended that it minimise cleaners’ exposure to tissues, face masks and nappies by having passengers dispose of their own waste.
Qantas' spokesman said the airline "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," he said.
Transport Workers Union branch secretary Richard Olsen said the SafeWork notice validated concerns raised by a Qantas aircraft cleaner and elected health and safety representative who was suspended from work last month.
“Instead of suspending workers and trying to silence them, Qantas needs to start consulting with workers and help reduce the risk of exposure,” he said.
PPRuNeUser0198
6th Mar 2020, 08:27
it’s a wonder they even entertain the thought of appealing the decision from SafeWork NSW.
They have to. Ego of a few. They need to publish a response that proves them right. Damage control 101. QF are good at it!
The Bullwinkle
6th Mar 2020, 08:29
Can you advise the source of this proof?
They’ve probably been sacked by now Angel!!!
They’ve probably been sacked by now Angel!!!
The statement was along the lines of "aircraft being a proven vector for this virus" and this was what I was asking source of proof for.
And why the Angel rubbish?
Sunfish
6th Mar 2020, 19:50
The virus survives on surfaces for about 9 days according to researchers.
The Bullwinkle
6th Mar 2020, 20:19
And why the Angel rubbish?
Poor attempt at humour?!? :O
The virus survives on surfaces for about 9 days according to researchers.
My understanding is this is not a given as so dependent upon temperature, humidity and the surface material.
In theory I am a high risk case but I'm not changing my lifestyle other than doing what we did before for SARS etc as there is no way to avoid touching anything!!
AerialPerspective
7th Mar 2020, 01:49
The virus survives on surfaces for about 9 days according to researchers.
interesting, I just read something from a medical expert this morning that said the virus is quite fragile and will die fairly quickly on any surface.
PPRuNeUser0198
7th Mar 2020, 02:10
This is the way I travel. It is very effective. Contaminated surface or not...
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/634x738/25603222_0_image_m_2_1583451641723_9076f37f2be42937f6d6ec963 0285151cf5a27fd.jpg
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-8080891/Sebastian-Stan-takes-immense-precautions-combat-Coronavirus-Delta-flight-Europe.html
This is the way I travel. It is very effective. Contaminated surface or not...
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/634x738/25603222_0_image_m_2_1583451641723_9076f37f2be42937f6d6ec963 0285151cf5a27fd.jpg
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-8080891/Sebastian-Stan-takes-immense-precautions-combat-Coronavirus-Delta-flight-Europe.html
Why not ask CC to turn temp up?
Buswinker
7th Mar 2020, 02:32
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).
Sunfish
7th Mar 2020, 22:07
I had a briefing on Covid - 19 from the experts on Friday.
1. There are 10X more cases than reported, consequently the lethality is currently overstated.
2. There is no conspiracy/bio weapon/plot, the Chinese researchers have been open and honest.
3. Best protection is frequent hand washing and don’t touch your face, no shaking hands, etc.
Capt Fathom
7th Mar 2020, 22:17
I had a briefing on Covid - 19 from the experts on Friday.
Who are these experts? Are they reporting this in the general media, or just privately?
Sunfish
7th Mar 2020, 22:57
Intimately involved researchers.
andrewr
8th Mar 2020, 00:52
1. There are 10X more cases than reported, consequently the lethality is currently overstated.
That's not necessarily good news - it makes it much harder to contain the spread.
Traffic_Is_Er_Was
8th Mar 2020, 03:05
Replying to this
Who are these experts? Are they reporting this in the general media, or just privately?
with this
Intimately involved researchers.
does not make your statement re the no. of deaths any more credible.
50% of random internet pundits will give you confirmation of each of your statements.
rattman
8th Mar 2020, 05:25
Who are these experts? Are they reporting this in the general media, or just privately?
Probably either his imagination or a not a real expert, they dont use "lethality" its mortality and morbidity
Mortality is calculated as (dead /cured) * 100
Patients with the virus / disease that are not resolved to either dead or cured are not counted for mortality because they could still either live or die
Sunfish
8th Mar 2020, 05:33
Apparently, the detailed maths of the outbreak indicate that it was circulating in China in November and possibly as early as October, not as currently suggested by Chinese researchers December 1 for the index case.
In addition, the discovery that infected people, including children, can be almost asymptomatic is a factor. A case in point is Dr. Chris Higgins in Melbourne today.
Then there is the discovery that the current COvid-19 tests produce a high percentage of false negatives even with repeated testing.
This led researchers to believe there are 10X more cases than reported. This indicates that the CFR is much lower than the 3% being suggested. Epidemiologists have also made the observation that overestimates of CFR are common in the early stages of a pandemic so this is not a surprise to them.
Sunfish
8th Mar 2020, 05:34
Rattman , “lethality” is my term, not the doctors, CFR is the term that was mentioned.
All this information is, I think already in the public domain in bits and pieces, or soon will be.
The literature survey
"Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents"
was done in the aftermath of SARS and MERS. While most of the detailed results were with common cold the SARS and MERS reesults match. In the absence of alternatives probably should be used for COVID-19.
https://www.journalofhospitalinfection.com/article/S0195-6701(20)30046-3/fulltext
They talk about
- persist on inanimate surfaces like metal, glass or plastic for up to 9 days
at 20 C
Also - - up 28 days viablity at 4 C - COMMENT think of how fruit and veg are often
sold