BITU president: Occupational Safety and Health Act needs to be implemented

President of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, Kavan Gayle says the recent issue of noxious fumes at the Central Sorting Office in Kingston,
is proof of the urgent need for the Occupational Safety and Health Act to be implemented.

In a release last evening, Senator Gayle said there was need for precautionary and mitigation plans to deal with situations like these.

On February 28, more than 600 workers at the Central Sorting Office of the Post and Telecoms Department in Kingston were evacuated from the building because of noxious fumes.

The police said approximately 60 persons, including students, experienced respiratory problems and had to be taken to hospital for medical attention.

On Monday, the Kingston and St. Andrew Health Department  gave the all clear for resumption of normal activities despite that fact that two additional workers had fallen ill inside the building.

Gayle is expressing alarm that the affected workers and students were allowed to return to the area, while the fumes were still existent.

Senator Gayle says while he accepts that such incidents can occur, it is obvious that both government officials and environmental experts were at a loss regarding how best to deal with the incident.

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