The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Staff Association executives said yesterday that the organisation had a “moral duty” to inform members of the health risks associated with working in mould infested areas after government did not act on the findings of a 2013 mould inspection report of 25 police stations and offices around New Providence.

When contacted about the mould report yesterday, State Minister for National Security Keith Bell told The Tribune that the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) and the government “would not deliberately expose any of its employees to such risks”.

He added that he has to speak with National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage and Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade before he could say anything more.

Executive Chairman of the Police Staff Association (PSA) Dwight Smith said the group decided to inform its members after internal discussions revealed a connection between “hazardous working conditions” and the high percentages of sick leave requests made by officers over the past year.

Mr Smith said this issue is now at a “critical point”. He expressed concerns that the government continues not to act despite knowing the health and wellbeing of officers are at risk.

According to Mr Smith, in 2013 his association wrote a letter to Mr Greenslade asking that permission be granted to Clear Solutions Plus, a cleaning company specialising in mould and mildew remediation, allowing them access to offices and stations to determine the extent of mould growth in police buildings around New Providence.

That initial letter was dated October 11, 2013.

Two weeks later Clear Solutions Plus was granted permission to carry out all needed inspections.

Mr Smith said that on November 19, 2013 both he and the commissioner received a detailed report from Clear Solutions that highlighted concerns for some 25 police buildings; inclusive of offices at Police Headquarters, East Street and the previously condemned Grove Police Station.

In that 2013 report, Clear Solutions Plus claimed that a “significant amount” of mould was discovered that required “prompt attention” to prevent severe allergic reactions among police officers and other persons who frequent the buildings.

The price tag for the corrective measures in 2013 was projected at $187,275 for work to be completed over a 14-week period.

Mr Smith said yesterday, more than a year and a half after that report was submitted, the government to his knowledge has not acted on the findings or moved to improve the working conditions of officers at these locations.

He said: “It is for the love of country that officers are willing to sacrifice their health and safety just to keep our land safe despite any warning signs caused by them working in a mould infected environment. Many of these officers who are exposed to these types of environments develop chronic respiratory and severe allergy illnesses.”

He added: “The condition is further escalated when officers have to return to the same working environment without the health hazard at those locations being corrected. There lies the problem.”

Statistical data compiled by the PSA revealed that in 2014 officers requested 5,000 sick leave days. Officers are allowed 28 sick days per year, according to their industrial agreement.

Mr Smith insisted – despite not being able to give an exact number of officers suffering from medical issues due to exposure to mould – that a number of officers are being required to work in hazardous conditions even after receiving medical notification against it.

Maria Daxon, a former officer and now legal counsel, suggested yesterday that her extensive respiratory ailments were caused to some degree by prolonged exposure to mould while working in infested RBPF buildings.

Mrs Daxon said she is presently on six prescribed respiratory medications, including Ventolin, Prednisone and Budesonide, all of which are used in the treatment for serious respiratory illnesses.

“I have to wear a mask to sleep,” said Mrs Daxon. “I have to put on a regular mask and this (referring to a thick cloth) over my nose for nothing to get in.”

She explained that her life has been drastically changed by her ailment. She originally requested a transfer from the Grove Police Station and was subsequently moved to the Office of the Attorney General.

Mrs Daxon said she has to travel constantly to America to receive needed medical attention.

Mr Smith indicated that the Grove Police Station is one of three stations previously condemned.

He added that the Police Prosecution Unit is also being housed in a condemned building, in the old Nassau Street court complex.

“You need a healthy, well paid, well respected police force. Sick officers show low productivity on and off the job,” Mr Smith said. “Who is protecting the protectors?

When contacted yesterday, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage said he was off the island and was not in a position to speak to a reporter.

Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade could not be reached for comment yesterday.