Govt. commitment to public health needed

The Labour Department's Occupational Safety and Health service attitude to toxic mould in leaky buildings is at odds with the new Health and Safety Amendment law passed by Parliament just before Christmas, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says.

"Employers and their employees required to clean up toxic mould need to see more urgency and decisiveness from Government in dealing with the issue," said Alasdair Thompson, EMA's chief executive.

"Government's repeated concerns over public health and safety don't square with its lack of action on the matter.

"Comprehensive official guidelines are urgently needed for homeowners, builders and their employees.

"Government's advice that people shouldn't panic is not much help for those who may be exposed to the spores of the stachybotrys fungus."

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