Qantas probed for suspending worker who raised COVID-19 concerns

The NSW workplace safety authority is investigating Qantas for suspending an employee who raised concerns about workers being exposed to the coronavirus when cleaning an aircraft that had returned from China. Qantas stood down the cleaner, who is an elected health and safety representative, on February 2 after he advised colleagues it was unsafe to clean the jet arriving from Shanghai. The airline said this was "against the advice of health authorities and despite additional safety equipment being provided to employees". SafeWork NSW confirmed on Thursday it was investigating Qantas for alleged discriminatory conduct against the health and safety representative. The regulator has written to the airline to inform it the investigation is underway. The Transport Workers Union says the worker was vindicated three weeks after being stood down when SafeWork NSW issued Qantas with an improvement notice after finding it had inadequate practices in place to protect staff and passengers from coronavirus. Safety inspectors saw Qantas cleaners wiping over multiple tray tables with the same cloth without using disinfectant, and handling used tissues, face masks and nappies without having to wear protective equipment. A Qantas spokesman said the airline would cooperate with the investigation.<br/>