More on Rio, the CoVid fight, and the blood of NRW workers who...

More on Rio, the CoVid fight, and the blood of NRW workers who are amongst those who will be tested.

https://thewest.com.au/news/coronav...-before-they-can-board-flights-ng-b881522775z
Coronavirus crisis: Rio Tinto reveals plan to test FIFO workers’ blood at Perth Airport before they can board flights

Lanai ScarrThe West Australian
Friday, 17 April 2020 6:36PM
Lanai Scarr


Mine workers at Perth Airport ready to fly to site. Credit: WA News

Rio Tinto’s FIFO workers will have their blood tested at Perth Airport before they can board flights to mine sites as part of world-first measures for resources employees to reduce coronavirus’s spread.
But the mining giant was tonight awaiting the results of a handful of workers who had already returned positive antibody screens and were receiving further tests for COVID-19.

Rio Tinto has engaged 115 laid-off theatre nurses to help conduct the screening in a makeshift medical facility at Perth airport, which is part of an enhanced five-layer process designed to keep the community and the company’s workforce safe.

All workers will have a small blood sample taken via a finger pinprick to detect any potential viral-related antibodies.

Use of the kits began this week but will become more widespread over the next seven days. Of the 1600 tests already completed eight were positive for antibodies and required further testing. All were still awaiting results tonight.
The test kits have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. If any antibodies are found this does not confirm the presence of COVID-19 but will prompt further medical investigation using other diagnostic techniques.
It takes just minutes to get a result and if workers are cleared they will be given a wristband showing they are able to fly.

Around 5000 of the tests will be undertaken each week, with Rio securing several months’ worth of the kits from China, with capacity for further rolling supply if needed.
Anyone working on Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations will undergo screening, including all FIFO employees and contractors returning to work. Essential staff at Rio Tinto’s Perth operations centre will also be tested.
This week the world’s second largest gold mining company, Barrick, said it had secured 800,000 blood screening kits to test workers and the communities surrounding its mines in West Africa.
However, it is understood Rio Tinto is the first in the world to have started testing all of its employees and contractors.

News of the rapid screening comes as Rio Tinto iron ore chief Chris Salisbury said WA’s resources sector will be key to Australia’s economic recovery, with exports not slowing down.
He said the rapid screening would keep the more than 12,000 people the company employs safe as well as the communities around mine sites.

“We have secured sufficient kits for number of months for the duration hopefully of the pandemic,” Mr Salisbury said.
In addition to the rapid screening, Rio’s other COVID-19 prevention measures include a travel questionnaire, thermal screening and a face-to-face assessment with a nurse at Perth Airport.

“We do feel we have a very important part to play. We are privileged in a way that we are one of the very few industries to continue to operate,” Mr Salisbury said.