For immediate release: Apr. 29, 2003

CALGARY – A study initiated by AUPE has confirmed that there is cause for concern about airborne mould in a ward at Foothills Hospital.

As a result of a formal complaint filed March 18 by AUPE Union Representative Sophie Parsons, an Alberta government Occupational Health and Safety officer has been assigned to the case and OH&S officials have tested the worksite and confirmed that there is mould in the area.

After that finding, representatives of unions working in the area, including AUPE President Dan MacLennan, the employer and the province met April 14 to discuss ways to resolve the problem safely.

A panel with representatives from AUPE, the United Nurses of Alberta, Alberta Occupational Health and Safety and the Calgary Health Region was formed with a mandate to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, Parsons said.

Of particular concern, she noted, is how to ensure that the important health care work done in the ward can go on safely while the source of the mould is removed.

Parsons made the formal complaint after AUPE members and others working in the Renal Care Ward of the Calgary hospital complained about poor air quality in the area, which they suspected was caused by airborne mould.

"Our objective is to get this cleaned up as quickly as possible in a manner that is safe for people working and getting medical treatment in the area," said Union Representative Brian Stevens in AUPE’s Calgary Regional Office.

Parsons said the Calgary Health Region has agreed to contact Stevens about any new discoveries of sources of mould in the building, as well as to keep AUPE up to date on when and where removal activities will take place.

For more information, contact:
Dan MacLennan, President, AUPE, 780-930-3301 or 780-910-8392 (cellular phone)
Brian Stevens, Union Representative, AUPE, 403-531-8608 or 403-461-4004 (cellular phone)