Employees of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) are raising serious health and safety concerns regarding extensive mold contamination at the Roberts Building in APUA Gardens, which they share with the Aviation Department. The large blue facility adjacent to the racetrack has been plagued by unresolved mold issues for over two years, creating hazardous working conditions that management has failed to adequately address.
Investigations reveal that the Aviation Department, recognizing the severity of the environmental hazards, implemented protective measures for its staff including early dismissal at noon daily due to documented poor ventilation and unsafe air quality. The department further commissioned independent professional air quality testing that scientifically confirmed the building’s unsafe working environment.
Despite these findings, APUA employees continue to work normal hours in the same contaminated environment without comparable protective measures. This discrepancy in treatment has created a significant health equity issue within the shared workspace, with APUA staff expressing frustration over the apparent disregard for their wellbeing.
Visible mold panels are currently present in the main lobby area where all employees must pass through daily to use the time clock system. This contaminated space additionally functions as a waiting area for customers accessing internet services, potentially exposing both staff and the public to health risks. Photographic evidence confirms the severity of mold growth in this high-traffic zone, with reports indicating multiple other affected areas throughout the facility.
The employees emphasize they are not seeking superficial repairs but rather demand comprehensive environmental and health assessments followed by meaningful corrective action. There is growing concern that management has failed to prioritize this urgent health matter, prompting formal requests for immediate intervention to address the unsafe working conditions before further harm occurs to personnel and visitors alike.