Moray UNISON tackles toxic fumes

Moray UNISON came to the rescue of staff at Springfield House council building in June, when demolition contractors working at a neighbouring building site began burning large sections of woodsheds.

Staff within the building were overcome by the toxic fumes coming from the numerous fires that had been started up. Some staff were asthmatic and were having problems breathing.

The extremely windy weather conditions made the smoke worse. Staff initially phoned the Council's H&S department and they telephoned SEPA to go and investigate.

A junior member of staff from SEPA visited the site but nothing appeared to be done. Meanwhile a H&S rep from the Council came and inspected the building at Springfield House and claimed that they had tried to get the fires put out.

"The fires were still burning on and I telephoned Dougie McPhee of UNISON to ask whether the UNISON H&S rep could assist". said UNISON member Kim Wilcox.

"He gave me John Muir's telephone number and I contacted him immediately.

"Within half an hour, a more senior member of SEPA visited the site and instructed the fires to be put out. To date, there have been no further fires and no further disruption to staff.

"I feel however that without UNISON's intervention, we may not have got the same results", added Kim.

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