Qantas rebuked over coronavirus exposure risks

Australian health and safety authorities have sharply criticised airline Qantas for potentially exposing workers and passengers to coronavirus. An investigation by SafeWork NSW, a state body in NSW, found the country’s flag carrier put cleaning staff at risk by not requiring them to wear protective equipment when cleaning planes that might have transported people with an infectious disease.  The report said investigators observed workers who were “required to handle wet and used tissues, used face masks, soiled nappies and the workers advised they occasionally have to clean vomit and blood off surfaces. [Personal protective gear] was not mandated for the majority of these tasks”.  “I observed [cleaning crew] wiping over multiple tray tables with the same wet cloth with no disinfectant and cleaning unknown liquids on floors and surfaces,” said one investigator, who compiled the report on February 26, several weeks after the coronavirus outbreak began.  SafeWork NSW has directed Qantas to develop a safe system of work that covers the risk of disease, including from Covid-19. <br/>