BULLETIN 166 | 18 Sep 2018

BULLETIN
Bulletin No: 166 | 18 September 2018

To: ALL UFU MEMBERS

 

UFU WEST FOOTSCRAY FIRE

WORKING PARTY

 

  • The following information is very important for members’ consideration. Please read the information below in relation to the establishment of a UFU Working Party.
  • Following from UFU Bulletin #154, the UFU advises members that today the UFU Working Party held its first meeting to discuss the recent West Footscray Fires.
  • The Working Party currently consists of the following members: Dave Hamilton, Danny Ward, Mick Tisbury, Phil Taylor, Graeme Murphy, Oliver Cassar, Glenn Veal, and Peter Schroder. UFU Industrial Officers are also supporting the Working Party. 
  • The first meeting today actioned the following:
  1. Release UFU Bulletin to members with an update re Working Party
  2. UFU Industrial Officers to consider and report back to Working Party appropriate academic and medical experts to provide advice to the Working Party.
  3. UFU to write to the head of WorkSafe investigation and invite them to present at the next or a future Working Party meeting.
  4. UFU Industrial Officers to write to WorkSafe and to Coroner in relation to an investigation into the incident.
  5. UFU to issue a press release regarding the establishment of the Working Party and the issues and concerns the Working Party will be dealing with.

 

MEMBERS’ IMMEDIATE WELFARE

  • Members are encouraged to submit MFB Safes for each attendance to the fire. For example, if you attended the fire three times you should submit 3 MFB Safes. 
  • Members are advised to visit their medical practitioner or the BMO. Medical practitioners should be diligent recording any adverse impacts that a member may be experiencing.
  • As a worker, you are legally entitled to lodge a WorkSafe application in relation to the incident. For assistance with WorkCover applications, please contact UFU Industrial Officers Carol Gee (9419 8811 or io5@ufuvic.asn.au) or Virginia Wills (9419 8811 or io7@ufuvic.asn.au).
  • As always, for welfare matters members are welcome to contact UFU Welfare Officer Ross Fusca confidentially at any time on 0477 884 456 or at ufuwelfareofficer@gmail.com.

 

CONTACTING THE WORKING PARTY

Please send issues via email to UFU Industrial Officers Carol Gee at io5@ufuvic.asn.au or Virginia Wills at io7@ufuvic.asn.au.

The working party has endorsed, though not limited, the following as discussion points:

  • Personal exposure to toxins
  • Decontamination of appliances and equipment
  • Respirators (P2 masks and BA)
  • Fatigue management
  • Uniform
  • Changeover crews
  • Members’ welfare
  • MFB resources
  • Remedies for future like fires and incidents

 

COLLABORATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHER PARTIES

The UFU Working Party today also decided to engage with the following parties:

  • WorkSafe Investigators
  • Environmental Protection Authority
  • Scientific, academic and medical expertise
  • MFESB
  • BMO
  • UFUA – Aviation branch
  • AMWU and CFMEU
  • Political parties
  • West Footscray local activist groups

Strength in Unity
READ OUT AT MUSTER AND PIN ON NOTICE BOARD
Authorised by Peter Marshall, Branch Secretary