PASSIVE SMOKING KILLS, PASSIVE POLITICIANS LET IT HAPPEN

The Government’s decision to grant the Burswood a continuing and expanded exemption to smokefree regulations is a major concern to ACOSH. Before the decision ACOSH wrote to the Minister for Health, as well as all other Cabinet members arguing that casino employees should be protected from the serious health risks linked to passive smoke in enclosed workplaces. ACOSH commissioned two independent reports on the air-conditioning proposed by Burswood that were sent to the Ministers concerned.

Casino staff expressed their concerns regarding passive smoke in the high roller room by taking a petition to Parliament in 2004. The petition was signed by about 500 Burswood staff.

The evidence regard the health issues of passive smoking is overwhelming. Casino workers and patrons will continue to be at increased risk of lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory and other diseases.

In November 2004 the Premier announced that hotels, clubs and nightclubs will be smokefree from July 2006. He also said the question of the “International Room” at the Burswood would be subject to a review process in 2005. That has not occurred; this decision pre-empted the review process.

The Government’s key occupational health and safety policy document on passive smoking in enclosed workplaces states that there is no safe level, mechanical ventilation is not a solution and that it must be eradicated from all workplaces as soon as possible (see below). The Government decision is at odds with this key WorkSafe policy. This means the Burswood “high roller room” will remain as an unsafe workplace.

Cabinet has put some conditions on the approval, including:

• best smoke extraction technology

• appropriate human resources policies

• independent health checks for workers

ACOSH Position

These conditions do not win the approval of ACOSH; but they do need to be made as strong as possible. Since the announcement ACOSH has met with Burswood management as well as the Minister for Employment Protection and the Commissioner for WorkSafe. ACOSH has also written to all members of Parliament outlining our position.

Burswood is proposing world best air-conditioning technology will be used in the new high roller room. Previously, Burswood air-conditioning reports were sent to Health Department. This practice has fallen by the wayside. ACOSH is calling for this to be re-instated with the reports being sent to WorkSafe for analysis and review on a quarterly basis.

Health checks are limited when talking about exposure to passive smoke because conditions like lung cancer and heart disease have a long lead time. Measuring the levels of cotinine, a by-product of nicotine, in casino staff is an accurate way of assessing exposure to passive smoking from all sources.

ACOSH calls for regular, but random, cotinine testing of high roller room workers pre and post shift. This should be funded by Burswood and administered by WorkSafe. This to include protocols that outline this is a voluntary test for staff; with no compulsion to participate.

ACOSH provided the WA Government with two expert reports on the Burswood’s air-conditioning. ACOSH would have made submissions to the “Review” that was meant to occur in 2005. Please click the links to download each report.

A Critical Evaluation of Lincolne Scott’s Burswood Casino Air Quality International Gaming Facilities Report
Ventilation and environmental tobacco smoke

We are interested in your views on this matter

Please click here to read about the history of passive smoking and the hospitality sector in WA.

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