Westpac teller ‘poisoned’
(6 April 2010 – New Zealand) A New Zealand teller believes she contracted ‘plastic poisoning’ during her time working for Westpac as a bulk teller.
Stephanie Connell developed a body rash, exhaustion and anxiety as a result of a position she took in 2007 as a bulk teller, after ten years as an ordinary teller, in a Westpac vault.
As part of her role Ms Connell was required to work in an ‘unventilated vault, about the size of a double garage’ handling notes, and ripping the tops off bags containing money.
Ms Connell said that there was a lot of green dust coming off the $20 bills that were ran through the bill counter.
Money is the filthiest stuff you can imagine, ordinarily the dust is only absorbed through the hands but I was inhaling it as well, Ms Connell added.
Ms Connell experienced initially scabs forming in her nose, but then suddenly developed anxiety, difficulty breathing and a chemical metallic taste in her mouth, with the symptoms clearing overnight and returning at work the next day.
Ms Connells general practitioner, Ted Pearson, told The Press, that Ms Connell was ‘quite disabled', by her illness and it was well recognised in people who worked with solvents like paint, glue or other toxic chemicals.
A Westpac spokeswoman said health and safety issues were taken seriously however was unable to discuss Ms Connell's situation due to privacy issues adding that none of the other employees who work in the bulk-cash processing room have had any health issues of this nature.
As part of her role Ms Connell was required to work in an ‘unventilated vault, about the size of a double garage’ handling notes, and ripping the tops off bags containing money.
Ms Connell said that there was a lot of green dust coming off the $20 bills that were ran through the bill counter.
Money is the filthiest stuff you can imagine, ordinarily the dust is only absorbed through the hands but I was inhaling it as well, Ms Connell added.
Ms Connell experienced initially scabs forming in her nose, but then suddenly developed anxiety, difficulty breathing and a chemical metallic taste in her mouth, with the symptoms clearing overnight and returning at work the next day.
Ms Connells general practitioner, Ted Pearson, told The Press, that Ms Connell was ‘quite disabled', by her illness and it was well recognised in people who worked with solvents like paint, glue or other toxic chemicals.
A Westpac spokeswoman said health and safety issues were taken seriously however was unable to discuss Ms Connell's situation due to privacy issues adding that none of the other employees who work in the bulk-cash processing room have had any health issues of this nature.
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