PRESS RELEASE: Don’t hold your breath – air conditioning potential WHS issue
Tightened hygiene precautions resulting from COVID-19 have raised new questions around workplace health and safety, including with the maintenance of air conditioning units in fleet vehicles.
Technically a ‘workplace’ for fleet drivers, their regular exposure to mould build-up in air-con units if not properly maintained could cause health problems: if so, can they take legal action against their employers?
Michael Poulos, Principal at McCabe Curwood said it is possible.
“It’s not a stretch to see how an employer or owner of a vehicle could have a liability exposure to drivers and/or passengers, if the vehicle is not properly serviced or maintained,” he said.
Michael said while not familiar with previous claims of this nature, employees have successfully sued employers in the past for not maintaining safe working environments. This includes a case nearly a decade ago where an employee was exposed to fumes caused by an oil leak in a passenger aircraft.
“I can envisage claims where an employer or owner of a commercial vehicle could become legally liable in respect to drivers of the vehicle(s) being exposed [to mould and bacteria build-up in air-con units]”.
David Boland and Richard Oates are the Directors of BG Northwest and supply chemical treatments and service equipment to the agricultural, heavy diesel and automotive industry.
“We are seeing a higher demand for air conditioning sanitisation products,” said Richard.
“Essentially, exposure to mould and bacteria from air conditioning units is being seen as a potential workplace safety issue, particularly in fleet vehicles that are shared.
“It is quick and easy to treat air conditioning units and many of our large fleet and industrial clients are taking these measures as a regular part of vehicle maintenance.”
BG has developed a product, Frigi-Fresh, that efficiently and safely cleans vehicle air conditioning units to eliminate virus, bacteria, mould as well as bad odours. It’s USA EPA and USDA approved and proven to kill viruses including the COVID strain and bacteria.
David said: “In the agricultural industry workers are constantly driving heavy vehicles. It’s easy to overlook a build-up of potentially harmful bacteria in your air con units, but you really can’t afford to.”
“When on the road, bugs and other debris build up in the air intake which gets sucked through the air conditioning. Obviously now is a testy time when it comes to virus’, so many of the business’ we supply are creating their own health and safety conditions that include sanitising the air.”
For more information about Frigi Fresh or any other BG products, please contact Amanda Lacey on 0418448570 or [email protected]
About BG
BG Products are world leaders in the development of advanced lubrication and protection solutions. Designed and made in the USA.
Since 1971, BG Products, Inc. have been manufacturing high performance chemical treatments and service equipment to the Automotive Industry. Since then the brand has become synonymous with outstanding technical excellence.
With origins in the U.S, BG Products are now sold worldwide and have received endorsements from several international Original Equipment Manufacturers. Everyday, over 100,000 service workshops use BG products and services, and they are now available to automotive professionals throughout Australia.
