Staff close to Christchurch Hospital chimney stack moved

DATE:
July 5, 2011
SUBJECT: Staff working close to Christchurch Hospital chimney stack temporarily moved as a precaution

Following a routine inspection of the Christchurch Hospital chimney stack staff working in the vicinity were shifted out of their offices and workshops this afternoon.

Canterbury District Health Board chief executive David Meates says this action is a precautionary measure after a problem was discovered in the steel reinforcing inside the chimney stack.

“Staff to have been temporarily moved includes those who work in the hospital boiler house and those at 235 Antigua Street. Access to the previously- closed 45 St Asaph Street building has stopped,” Mr Meates says.

“Further testing on site is being carried out tomorrow morning to determine whether what has been found affects the stability of the chimney.”

Until that time, the area has been cordoned off and St Asaph and Antigua Streets in the vicinity of the chimney stack have been closed and traffic diversions are in place.

Staff affected include security staff, site redevelopment, clinical engineering and maintenance and engineering. The chimney stack services Christchurch Hospital’s coal-fired boilers, which will continue to operate overnight.

ENDS

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