Hanover Municipal Corporation building declared ‘environmentally unsafe’

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) office complex in Lucea has been declared environmentally unsafe following checks by safety officers from the health ministry. The reports appear to confirm fears by staff that incidences of recurring illness were linked to the deteriorating condition of the over 300-year-old structure.

At Thursday’s monthly meeting of the HMC, Dr Kaushal Singh, medical officer of health for Hanover, shared the results of the recent environmental tests, which showed that only three sections of the building were deemed satisfactory for human occupation.

A copy of the results was also presented to David Gardner, the chief executive officer of the HMC, whose office was one of the 21 areas which the tests identified as unfit for use.

Melody Spence, safety and health officer, and Trishana McBean-Clarke, the acting parish occupational safety and health specialist, outlined seven recommendations. The officers urged their immediate implementation if the building is to remain in use by the 46 employees.

“ It is important that the necessary repairs be done in a timely manner to allow for improvement of the conditions, which are affecting the health and safety of staff and possibly visitors to the building,” a section of Singh’s report read.

“ The health authorities can declare a building a health hazard according to the Public Health Nuisance Regulation of 1995, if the building is found to have structural defects and or unsanitary condition.”

LONG-STANDING ISSUES

Singh said that based on the two sets of tests done at the HMC building on November 29, 2023, and on March 12, 2024, only the deputy mayor’s office, the Accounts Department audit office, and the office of the director of planning were deemed as being up to standard.

“Your office needs immediate action because it has environmental contaminants, skin cells and allergen,” Singh told the mayor. “The CEO’s office also required immediate action.”

Members of the HMC staff have complained in recent months of experiencing respiratory difficulties upon entering the building. Lucea Mayor Sheridan Samuels also blamed the unhealthy state of the complex for his recent bout of illness. “We are getting sick, and by we, I am included in it. I am deeply concerned for the staff members, and I feel it for them. Every section within this building is not conducive for working,” Samuels said.

The mayor says the issues have been long-standing.

“This situation has been going on like that for a very long time, and it is not only environmental problems, but physically; the building itself. But in terms of environmental, it is affecting people’s health now. And it is getting more serious in terms of our concern,” said Samuels. He said the minister of local government has been alerted to the situation.

On a visit to the HMC building in September 2024, The Gleaner team was shown mould growing on the walls in several offices. In addition, staffers pointed out sections of the larger ceiling area which have been falling apart, exposing the interior of the building to the elements of nature.

The Gleaner was told that following on initial complaints by staff members, occupational safety officers from the Western Regional Health Authority visited the building and carried out the assessment.