Hospital cleaners experience hair loss and respiratory problems

NANAIMO, BC, Canada — After introducing toxic chemicals to eradicate an outbreak of Clostridium difficile (C. diff), cleaners at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital have experienced respiratory ailments and hair loss, according to the Nanaimo Daily News.

According to WorkSafe B.C., a workplace watchdog, Compass Group Canada, the company contracted to clean the hospital, failed to provide adequate training for its employees, did not provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to cleaners working with corrosive chemicals in areas with inadequate air ventilation systems.

The Vancouver Island Health Authority is being urged to take responsibility for vetting the health and safety record of Compass Group Canada, the story stated.

Cleaning employees suffered from nose inflammation, respiratory problems, skin irritation, fatigue and hair loss when working with Virox 5, the toxic chemical used to eliminate the spread of C. diff, the story noted.

After WorkSafe B.C. conducted an inspection of the facility last year, 16 health and safety concerns were noted against Compass Group Canada; this latest inspection noted only five, the story added.

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