ABC staff in Sydney have been told to tidy loose papers and unplug some personal electronic devices after a report found the cladding of their Ultimo headquarters did not comply with fire safety standards.
Staff learned on Wednesday that an expert report, commissioned after the Grenfell Tower fire in the UK, said the cladding on the Ultimo building no longer complied with the building code of Australia’s fire safety rules.
“The cladding was commonly used when the buildings were originally constructed in 1992 and 2002,” an email to staff from chief financial and strategy officer, Louise Higgins, read.
“However standards have now changed, and it no longer complies.”
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Employees of the public broadcaster have been assured it is safe to work in the building while the issue is being resolved, but an additional email on Thursday advised them to take special precautions.
“Please take the time to look around your workplace and identify any unnecessary papers, rubbish etc,” it said. “Any potentially unsafe use of extensions or power boards will be removed from the site.”
The email also told employees to remove personal appliances like fans and heaters, coffee machines, bar fridges, toasters and hot plates.
ABC-provided kitchen goods like microwaves and kettles were allowed, as well as phone chargers, work laptops and cameras.
“These measures have been recommended by external fire safety experts, and whilst we appreciate that they may cause some inconvenience, we appreciate your understanding and assistance,” the email said.
On Thursday, the Australian newspaper apologised to the ABC after a number of readers posted messages in the comments section of a news article on the cladding which mocked the fire safety issue and called for the building to be burned down.
“Are we saying that ABC Ultimo could become a towering inferno? Hurry up with the matches,” one person wrote.
It’s understood the ABC complained about the reader comments to a senior figure at the Australian before the apology was issued.
Inappropriate reader comments regarding the ABC were published on The Australian’s digital channels overnight. They were removed as soon as we were alerted to them. We apologise for any distress caused to ABC staff.
— The Australian (@australian) June 21, 2018
I’ve been told the @australian moderates it’s comments. Does it really believe these are appropriate? pic.twitter.com/LMd48Sz9GI
— Sally Jackson (@Sally_Jackson) June 20, 2018
While the 12-storey Ultimo headquarters was deemed a risk, no ABC-owned buildings in other parts of the country were clad in the same material, according to Higgins’ Wednesday email to staff. The ABC is currently investigating the safety of properties it leases from other landlords.
The ABC is also working with union health and safety representatives from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, and staff will be updated in coming days.
Wednesday’s email said the safety of ABC staff was the organisation’s “top priority”.
