The floods that tore through South-East Queensland and northern NSW have caused incredible destruction, with the latter reporting over 4,000 uninhabitable homes last month. But while the discourse lands squarely on the residential, a less discussed topic is the commercial, and what must be done to ensure workers are safe to return to the office.
In February and March, floodwaters ravaged through eastern Australia. Headlines were made when the Wilson River reached a record 14.4-metre height as it enveloped the Northern Rivers city of Lismore, as new extremes – previously perceived as once-in-500-year events – plagued residents not once, but twice.
The associated devastation was considered to be just as biblical, as mountains of wood, metal and unknown materials were massed together in roadside piles by residents and volunteers (including The Adviser’s senior journalist, Kate Aubrey) during the first steps of the rebuilding of these impacted communities.
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Now, over a month since the second wave of flooding hit, the impact is being counted and residents are attempting to form a new semblance of routine.
But while support and materials are available to help assist those who lost their homes (according to NSW Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Victor Dominello, more than 4,000 homes were uninhabitable as of 8 April), a less prevalent feature of this discourse is the reopening of businesses and at what point these venues can be considered safe to welcome back employees.
According to the Queensland Department of Education’s Organisational Safety and Wellbeing, in the instance of a flood, there are immediate steps that need to be taken to ensure that such a workplace is safe. These include:
- Ensuring electrical work is secured and safe
- Certifying that there are no gas leaks
- Removing any waste or potential contamination
- Confirming that a building is structurally sound enough to house people over an eight-hour day
Timber Queensland adds to this, recommending that before any assessments or repairs can be commenced “a licensed electrician must undertake an electrical safety inspection”, with this followed by a certified plumbing safety inspector and a “registered structural engineer, building certifier or licensed builder”.
But while these directives feel both logical and apparent, other concerns may exist under the surface that may not be immediately noticeable once workers return. One such example is mould and dampness.
While there is debate over the long-term impact of mould exposure, research over the past decade has suggested that direct exposure to dampness, as well as mould, could have a detrimental impact on health.
One analysis of peer-reviewed studies and meta-analyses, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives in 2011, concluded that there was “sufficient evidence of an association between indoor dampness-related factors and a wide range of respiratory or allergic health effects” including the development of asthma, respiratory infections and eczema.
Speaking to the standing committee on health, aged care and sport during the 2018 Inquiry into Biotoxin-related Illnesses in Australia on the impact mould can have on human health, the director of immunology at Canberra Hospital, and Australian National University professor of medicine, Professor Matthew Cook said some immunological disorders can arise “from either an excessive or an abnormal immune response”.
“We can think about allergies as such an example – hay fever, asthma, eczema – where the immune response occurs to what is an otherwise innocuous environmental antigen, a substance that might be derived from a microbe,” he added.
“That microbe doesn’t really pose any immediate threat of infection to the individual, and yet they become unwell as a result of the wrong sort, or an excessive magnitude, of immune response. We call these hypersensitivity disorders.”
Michael Taylor – a provider of consulting services in the area of indoor air quality and mould assessment – recently wrote in The Conversation that mould can initially be prevented from growing by ensuring that any wall cavities, roof spaces or insulation that would likely hold onto water are dried out.
“If mould does develop, small amounts can be conquered – particularly on hard surfaces or items that can be thrown away. Wear gloves, a dust mask or respirator, and long sleeved clothes when tackling a clean up,” he adds.
For anything larger than one-square metre, he recommends that a professional cleaner is called in.
Another hidden danger to be wary of is asbestos, particularly if asbestos has been exposed for the first time following flooding damage.
According to a statement by Queensland senator Amanda Stoker in 2021, asbestos “affects one in three homes nationwide”, and is present in millions of public and commercial buildings across Australia.
This prevalence sparks concerns over mesothelioma – an aggressive form of cancer diagnosed in 700 to 800 Australians every year, as per the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, linked to asbestos exposure.
As recommended by the NSW government, asbestos can be tested by a professional occupational hygienist or a licensed asbestos assessor, while the best individual to clean is a licensed cleaner.
In the absence of a licensed cleaner, the NSW government recommends using disposable plastic gloves or washing up gloves alongside a P2 face mask to pick up the pieces individually, disposing them in a double-bagged plastic bag.
“Clean walls and other surfaces containing asbestos materials using domestic hoses or by hand. Use soapy water with a cloth, sponge, light scrubbing device such as a soft brush or broom,” the NSW government recommends regarding cleaning the surface of asbestos materials.
“Regularly check the surface of the material you are cleaning to ensure it is not being damaged. If damage is occurring, clean more gently.”
With many brokers considering returning to offices and salvaging their workspaces, ensuring the safety and wellness of staff when doing so, is of paramount importance.
