asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware of the acute discomfort caused to postal sorters and other workers in Sheriff Street sorting office, Dublin, owing to coal dust getting into the office from boats being unloaded nearby; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Central Sorting Office.
17.
I am aware of a dust problem in the Central Sorting Office partly caused by the infiltration of coal dust from adjoining coal yards. I have no evidence or complaint that this is contributed to by unloading of coal boats at a point further away. My information is that it is the intention to remove coal yards and wharves to another position in the port area within the next few years. Apart from that, all possible steps are being taken by my Department to counter the effects of dust within the building.
I should like to thank the Parliamentary Secretary for taking this question at short notice. Is he aware that this problem of coal dust is the straw that will break the camel's back? Because of the fact that the original plan to instal a dust extractor in the building was scrapped the people working there are now working under worse conditions than in the old sorting office. Is he aware that the windows can be opened on one side only because from unloading the bags coal dust gets in and adds to the dust from the mail bags? Is he aware that if conditions do not improve the workers do not intend to continue working there?
I am aware that there have been considerable complaints about this dust problem in the new sorting office but I am not aware—and I find it difficult to accept, having seen the premises in which those people worked before—that it could possibly be seriously suggested that the conditions under which they are working in the new sorting office compare unfavourably with their former conditions.
The dust conditions.
Even though we have complaints about dust I find it difficult to accept that dust conditions are in any way worse than they were in the old office. A number of steps have been taken to try to get over the problem arising from the cleaning of bags. I am aware that the windows have been sealed off to keep out the dust. I am annoyed that we have not made sufficient progress in dealing with the problem of getting the coal yard removed. Apart from the fact that we are trying to get the coal yard moved to another part of the portal area, all possible steps are being taken. We have had more heavy industrial type cleaners and hoovers introduced. I am not aware that we did away with a dust extractor.
The file will show that.
The Deputy said he was grateful that I took this question at short notice. I did not have the opportunity of looking up everything.
Since the Parliamentary Secretary received these complaints have the Department taken any action to deal with the dust and foreign material in the air?
That is what I have been explaining, I hope, to the Deputy. A number of steps have been taken. One was the closing of some of the windows about which the Deputy complains.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that, coming on to Christmas when the amount of mail will be increasing immensely, it is unfair to ask people to work under conditions like the conditions they are working under at present, particularly as this is a serious health hazard?
It is my intention to apply myself to this problem with a view to seeing if anything can possibly be done.