People are at risk of being injured at the old San Fernando Magistrates Court due to the possibility sections of the roof, ceiling and guttering will collapse.This was one of several health and safety hazards listed in a report submitted to the Judiciary by Occupational Safety and Health Agency (Osha) safety and health inspector Mark Allen.The report, obtained by the T&T Guardian, was based on Allen's inspection of the courthouse on August 8, three days after administrative workers walked off the job because of health and safety concerns.
Most of the workers remain off the job despite warnings by the judiciary that their pay will be cut.Some of them visited the Public Service Association's (PSA) doctor yesterday.Allen found that workers, including police officers, were exposed to health and safety risks.The report stated that no fire certification was available from the Fire Services.It said: "The roof of the building was in a state of disrepair. There were several rotted wooden sections and guttering and downspouts were in a state of disrepair.
"Roof leaks were in evidence within the courtrooms, corridors and other areas on the top floor. Building occupants and the public are exposed to the risk of bodily injury due to the possibility of collapsing roof sections, ceiling, guttering or roof supports."The report also stated the courtrooms were uncomfortably hot and humid, particularly in the afternoons.With regards to the toilets, the inspector found that some of the fixtures and fittings in the public toilets were in a state of disrepair.
One of the two toilets provided for female workers at the general registry becomes inundated with water when rain falls, it stated.The report also found that workers were exposed to respiratory hazards due to dust-covered, soiled and unclean metal louvres and blinds.With regards to the cellblock area, where prisoners are detained in the basement of the court, the report stated that only one toilet was provided for males and females.
It said: "It was soiled and unclean and in a state of disrepair. The urinals were defective and there was inadequate collection and removal of urine. These conditions could result in worker exposure to biological hazards."Two of the water closets in the prisoners' holding cells were also in a state of disrepair."The report stated that the police quarters consisted of two small rooms which housed the toilet facilities and a general multi-use area.
There is no change room or a suitable kitchenette/eating area because the area gets wet when rain falls and officers can slip or fall."A persistent disagreeable odour was evident and this appeared to be related to mal-functioning sewerage," it said.The chairs used by police officers were in a state of disrepair and there were defective electrical fixtures and lighting in the cells appeared to be inadequate, it said.
The report also found that there was insufficient circulation of cool, fresh air within the vault and files were dusty, creating a respiratory hazard.The lighting there was also inadequate and the haphazard storage of shelving units would hamper a quick exist during emergency situations, it was noted.Inadequate housekeeping at the kitchenette, storeroom, disused furniture and equipment provide harbourage for rodents and vermin, the report stated.
Allen stated that all non-conformances be addressed within the shortest possible time and a report be submitted to agency within two weeks.After receipt of the report another inspection of the courtroom will be done by Osha.
JUDICIARY'S RESPONSE
In a letter to PSA president Watson Duke, dated August 21, the judiciary assured that corrective measures in relation to the Osha inspector's findings had already commenced as part of its planned programme of work at the court."We are committed to submit the required report on the status of corrective action to the OSH Agency in two weeks," the release stated.