ALL STAFF at the CyBC are to have their lungs checked after tests showed the state broadcaster’s premises were suffering from ‘sick building’ syndrome’, the House heard yesterday.
The House Health Committee called an extraordinary meeting yesterday after a number of CyBC employees were hospitalised earlier this week after breaking out in a rash, losing consciousness and vomiting.
The outbreak of illnesses happened after some of the 60-year-old buildings on the complex were fumigated for fleas. The corporation has been plagued by cats, rats and other infestations for years, leading to occasional illnesses and walkouts by staff in.
However CyBC chairman, Makis Symeou said tests showed the fumigation was not the problem but rather increased levels of airborne bacteria.
Built-up dirt and bacteria from dead animals and their excrement, combined with some 50-year old air conditioners were the main problems. He said the broadcaster was taking all the necessary measures to ensure health and safety for all its 300-plus permanent and contributor employees, which would include medical tests for respiratory problems.
“We admitted to the Committee that there were certain problems,” said Symeou. “From the first day the Board of Directors took over and assessed all the problems, we started the ball rolling to create new, modern buildings at the CyBC. But taking into consideration the recent problems, we won’t hesitate to close buildings down until they are completely safe.”
Reports on Tuesday suggested the CyBC’s water system may have been infected with Legionnaires’ disease. But Symeou said lab tests had previously shown this was not the case, though they were awaiting the results of new tests.
“There are some tests that were carried out before the recent incidents, which showed that we didn’t have Legionnaires’ in our water systems. These have been replaced with new ones anyway,” Symeou said. “We carried out new tests after the incidents, which have initially come back negative but it takes a few days for them be completed.”
Most of the incidents happened in the channel’s newsroom. The building has been closed off and the newsroom moved elsewhere until the problem has been fixed.
“All the tests we are carrying out on a daily basis show that most areas are completely safe,” said Symeou. “The ones that aren’t are sealed shut.”
Symeou said he was pleased the government had viewed the CyBC’s request for a new building positively.
He concluded that CyBC had arranged for its workers to be tested at the respiratory ward at Nicosia General Hospital.
Employee unions warned yesterday they would refuse to work unless health and safety standards were guaranteed.
“Everybody admitted that there have been problems at the CyBC for years when it comes to health and safety conditions,” said Nikos Tambas of union OHE-SEK. “The consequences of this endless unacceptable situation are being suffered by the workers,” he added. “We stressed to the CyBC Chairman that with these recent incidents, our patience has been exhausted and we won’t accept workers’ health to be jeopardised.”
Tambas added that employees would refuse to work in any area without assurances by experts that their health was not at risk.
Costas Costa of union SIDIKEK-PEO-RIK said many public organisations faced similar problems, due to the age of the buildings.
He added: “Despite measures in recent times, it seems the seriousness of the problem has been understated,” he said.
DIKO’s Stelios Ieronimides said the CyBC received a €48 million budget this year, but no funds were being allocated to maintaining the building’s air conditioning and ventilation ducts. “There are air conditioners there that are over 50 years old,” said Ieronimides.
DISY’s Andreas Kyprianou said the state should take responsibility for the situation, while the Green Party’s George Perdikis called for a full investigation.
“Apart from the problems created by insects, rodents and snakes, it seems the workers are facing general health problems,” said Perdikis. “It probably isn’t by chance that in recent years, at least two employees in the CyBC newsroom faced unexplained serious health problems.”
He added: “The state has a duty to take on its responsibilities, without excluding the possibility of demolition.”
