ABC News
Tue Aug 4, 2009
The officers were exposed to the chemicals in March.
A New South Wales policeman is in an induced coma in hospital after being
exposed to fumes from rotting drugs, during an audit of exhibits that were
up to 13 years old.
The officer was one of two exposed to the fumes at the Surry Hills police
centre in March - when they were moving a bag containing the ecstasy
precursor drug, safrole.
He was taken to hospital last week with breathing difficulties, while the other
officer has lost 30 per cent of his lung capacity.
The New South Wales Police Association president Bob Pritchard says
officers need more training to prevent such injuries.
"They've done what they were told to do and unfortunately they've come
into contact with these chemicals," he said."But certainly it shows that we
should have the right to look at workplace safety and take action against
New South Wales police."Protocols weren't there and training wasn't given."
The police force says it is liaising with the two officers' doctors and is doing
all it can to help. It says it is treating the matter very seriously and working
closely with Workcover to assess the case.
It says none of the advice received to date suggests the area needs to be closed.
Workcover also found that there was no need to make face masks and goggles
mandatory for officers working in the room.
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