How trades unions sabotaged the safety of their own members at Hinkley Point C construction site
Letter sent to the DailyMail:
Former Labour MP Ian Austin’s feature on Wednesday “Sabotaged
by the union dinosaurs” (Daily Mail, 14 May 2020)has the
correct headline by exactly the wrong argument.
He attacks the Unite union, led by “Red” Len McCluskey,
for discouraging his members from returning to work on grounds of safety
concerns.
But
both Unite and another industrial union, GMB, have encouraged their members to work continuously the huge Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant
construction site near Bridgwater.
Five
weeks ago, the plant owner, French company Electricite de France (EDF),
announced reduction of the workforce from 4,500 to 2,000 under some
pressure from nuclear regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (onr)
This
came as growing concern emerged in the local community issues of serious continuous
breaches of social spacing in workers queueing to enter and leave the site
through security checks, and chaos on workforce buses, as workers jostled
cheek to jowl to board. In the evenings, single male workers often took
to village squares drinking canned beer in large boisterous groups.
The
construction was kept going, not because HPC is a key nationally important
construction site—it will not produce any power for at least five years,
probably significantly later- but because of a contract to pour
concrete for its massive infrastructure. The business and energy
department (BEIS) was very keen to keep construction going, come what may. Yet
on 6 May, Nigel Cann, delivery director for HPC, in a “Coronavirus update made
the following literally incredible claim: “Even as economic activity increases, the many
steps we have taken to monitor health and prevent the risk of infection will
remain in place and numbers on site will always be guided by what is safe.”
He
then added, far from reducing the workforce, “Our remaining workforce is now
well adapted to social distancing and the experience gained has helped us to
make a small and safe increase in numbers to just under 2,500….”
He
also admitted: “Since the beginning of the pandemic, five members of the [HPC]
site team have tested positive for Coronavirus.” One has died.
Roy
Pumfrey, local campaign group Stop Hinkley spokesperson, has revealed to me
that while EdF
claim
to have reduced the risk of COVID-19 transmission by consolidating their pick
up points for transporting workers to and from the site, he is being told
that: “unmarked minibuses are also picking up HPC workers, clearly identifiable
by their orange hi-vis jackets, at various points in Bridgwater and the
outlying villages, [which] not only flies in the face of assurances made by EdF
but clearly breaks the social-distancing protocols in the minibuses.”
What
are BEIS, the TUC and the GMB and Unite
doing about this safety scandal, that is puttingconstruction workers’ health at serious coronavirus risk?
New guidance launched to help get Brits safely back to work
New ‘COVID-19 secure’ guidelines are available to UK employers to help them get their businesses back up and running and workplaces operating as safely as possible.
This follows the Prime Minister setting out steps to beat the virus and restart the economy, so we can protect jobs, restore people’s livelihoods and fund the country’s vital public services.
The government has consulted approximately 250 stakeholders in preparing the guidance. It has been developed with input from firms, unions, industry bodies and the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and in consultation with Public Health England (PHE) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), to develop best practice on the safest ways of working across the economy, providing people with the confidence they need to return to work.
The new guidance covers 8 workplace settings which are allowed to be open, from outdoor environments and construction sites to factories and takeaways.
This sets out practical steps for businesses focused on 5 key points, which should be implemented as soon as it is practical:
1. Work from home, if you can
All reasonable steps should be taken by employers to help people work from home. But for those who cannot work from home and whose workplace has not been told to close, our message is clear: you should go to work. Staff should speak to their employer about when their workplace will open.
2. Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment, in consultation with workers or trade unions
This guidance operates within current health and safety employment and equalities legislation and employers will need to carry out COVID-19 risk assessments in consultation with their workers or trade unions, to establish what guidelines to put in place. If possible, employers should publish the results of their risk assessments on their website and we expect all businesses with over 50 employees to do so.
3. Maintain 2 metres social distancing, wherever possible
Employers should re-design workspaces to maintain 2 metre distances between people by staggering start times, creating one way walk-throughs, opening more entrances and exits, or changing seating layouts in break rooms.
4. Where people cannot be 2 metres apart, manage transmission risk
Employers should look into putting barriers in shared spaces, creating workplace shift patterns or fixed teams minimising the number of people in contact with one another, or ensuring colleagues are facing away from each other.
5. Reinforcing cleaning processes
Workplaces should be cleaned more frequently, paying close attention to high-contact objects like door handles and keyboards. Employers should provide handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers at entry and exit points.
A downloadable notice is included in the documents, which employers should display in their workplaces to show their employees, customers and other visitors to their workplace, that they have followed this guidance.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said:
This guidance provides a framework to get the UK back to work in a way that is safe for everyone.
These are practical steps to enable employers to identify risks that COVID-19 creates and to take pragmatic measures to mitigate them.
And as we are able to reopen new sectors of the economy, we will continue our collaborative approach working with a wide range of stakeholders, to provide guidance for additional workplaces.
Sarah Albon Chief Executive, Health and Safety Executive
The BEIS guidance issued today sets out practical steps employers can take to enable staff to continue and return to work. We have worked with BEIS to ensure businesses have access to the information they need to put in place measures to help them work safely. This will assist employers in carrying out risk assessments and putting practical measures in place.
At the heart of the return to work is controlling the risk posed by the virus. Ensuring safe working practices are in place will help deliver a safe return to work and support businesses across the country.
Craig Beaumont, Director of External Affairs and Advocacy at the Federation of Small Businesses commented:
FSB has engaged through this process with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and we appreciate that our points have been taken on board for the UK small business community.
Today’s guidance is practical, workable and proportionate for small businesses.
It will be a long journey but this guidance will provide the basis for small employers to have the positive conversations needed with their staff. This is the first step to getting the economy back on its feet.
Carolyn Fairbairn, Director-General of the CBI commented:
Safety is at the heart of business thinking. Unless people feel safe, employees won’t return, customers will stay away and the restart will falter, harming livelihoods and public services.
This guidance will help. It gives firms a clearer picture of how to reopen safely and gradually.
The guidance builds on the good proactive plans many firms have developed during lockdown. Excellent employee engagement, fast workplace innovation and transparency have helped many companies support livelihoods. It’s right to build on this.
The UK faces months of change and challenge. These guidelines will need to continue to evolve based on insight from the ground.
And employers, employee representatives and relevant enforcement agencies must work together, supporting these plans to build public trust and get our economy back on its feet.
Jonathan Geldart, Director General of the Institute of Directors commented:
This guidance is an important first step. It won’t provide every answer, no guidance can, but directors can use it to inform their risk assessments for operating in this pandemic.
Ultimately, the decision lies with a company’s directors, and they need to feel comfortable they can operate safely. Decisions on re-opening will not be taken lightly. Business leaders want to stand on their own two feet, but most can’t operate at anything like normal capacity at the moment, and making adjustments to protect staff and customers will be a big challenge for many workplaces.
We hope and expect the guidance to evolve over time, but this is a place for employers to start on the long path to getting the economy going again.
The guidance applies to businesses currently open. This also includes guidance for shops which we believe may be in a position to begin a phased reopening at the earliest from the 1 June. Guidance for other sectors that are not currently open will be developed and published ahead of those establishments opening to give those businesses time to plan. The government will also shortly set up taskforces to work with these sectors to develop safe ways for them to open at the earliest point at which it is safe to do so, as well as pilot re-openings to test businesses’ ability to adopt the guidelines.
As part of today’s announcement, the government has made available up to an extra £14 million for the HSE, equivalent to an increase of 10% of their budget, for extra call centre employees, inspectors and equipment if needed.
Adam Marshall, Director General, British Chambers of Commerce:
This is a significant step forward in terms of the information available for businesses, who will now need to digest the detail. The guidance signals big changes for the way that many businesses operate, and some firms will now need time to plan and speak to their employees so that they can return to work safely.
Craig Beaumont, Director of External Affairs and Advocacy, Federation of Small Businesses:
FSB has engaged through this process with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and we appreciate that our points have been taken on board for the UK small business community.
Today’s guidance is practical, workable and proportionate for small businesses.
It will be a long journey but this guidance will provide the basis for small employers to have the positive conversations needed with their staff. This is the first step to getting the economy back on its feet.
Carolyn Fairbairn, Director General, CBI:
Safety is at the heart of business thinking. Unless people feel safe, employees won’t return, customers will stay away and the restart will falter, harming livelihoods and public services.
This guidance will help. It gives firms a clearer picture of how to reopen safely and gradually.
The guidance builds on the good proactive plans many firms have developed during lockdown. Excellent employee engagement, fast workplace innovation and transparency have helped many companies support livelihoods. It’s right to build on this.
The UK faces months of change and challenge. These guidelines will need to continue to evolve based on insight from the ground.
And employers, employee representatives and relevant enforcement agencies must work together, supporting these plans to build public trust and get our economy back on its feet.
Tony Danker, Chief Executive, Be the Business:
Business owners are eager to get back to work. They want to move from locking down to looking up by reactivating sales pipelines and supply chains. Crucially, they have to reopen safely for employees and customers alike. This guidance gives businesses the detail to confidently begin having conversations with employees on how they plan to open up.
Carl Ennis, Chief Executive, Siemens plc:
We welcomed the opportunity to engage in the development of this process. The guidance is a risk-based, pragmatic and proportionate set of guidelines, which gives greater clarity to employers and helps to protect employees. In particular, we are pleased that the guidance avoids a one-size-fits-all-approach and works within the framework of existing health and safety requirements and enforcement.
Andrew Kenny, Managing Director, Just Eat UK:
These are some of the most challenging times the restaurants we work with have ever faced, and we want to see them return to full capacity safely. That’s why we’re supportive of getting the economy back up and running again, while ensuring the safety of employees and customers is protected at all times.
We welcome the government’s decision to issue dedicated guidance for restaurants offering takeaway or delivery, in recognition of the specific challenges facing these businesses. The guidance is an important part of giving confidence to everyone working in the sector – from restaurant operators and managers, to chefs and delivery couriers.
Involving business at every stage will be key to delivering a successful economic recovery, and the collaborative approach the government has taken to developing this guidance has been a welcome first step. It has allowed us to speak up for the interests of the many restaurants we work with, who are the beating heart of our business and of local economies across the country. We look forward to engaging in continued dialogue with the Government over the weeks and months to come.
Thomas Heier, People Director, Wagamama:
We were appreciative of being included in the government’s consultation process and the opportunity we were given to shape the guidance for our sector. In particular we appreciated the quality, clarity and pragmatic nature of the guidance which will now inform our safe operating procedures.
Graham Bolton, Operations Director, Emma Bridgewater:
To protect our returning workforce, the business and the NHS, safety is clearly of the utmost importance. The opportunity to comment on the government’s draft guidance to support the nation getting back into work was very much welcomed.
The guidance provides clear and concise objectives designed to deliver a safe working environment, supported by simple lists of issues for businesses to consider, specific to their own working environments.
The guidance paves the way for executives and unions to work with their employees and members to provide the necessary business leadership which will be key to helping the nation return to work safely in these challenging times.
Richard Ballantyne, CEO, British Ports Association:
We welcome these really useful resources which will help our industry move towards the next phase in dealing with Coronavirus. Whilst this guidance is general in nature it includes a lot of detail and a number of different workplace examples and resources. This will enable organisations across the economy design their own plans to help protect workers and limit the risks of spreading COVID-19 in workplaces. There has been a real effort by Government to consult employers and unions in a relatively short period. Now businesses and organisations, including our ports sector, can use the resources to start to implement their own plans and reignite the economy.
Gary Woodman, Chief Executive, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership:
I am glad to see the recent announcement and guidance around safe working. This is a very important time for Worcestershire businesses and getting them back to working efficiently whilst keeping staff and customers safe is a top priority. We know of many companies in the county across a variety of sectors who have already made great steps in implementing safe working practices, and I hope this new guidance will allow other businesses to get to work in a safe manner.
Hugh Clayton, Group Director, Meggitt:
Looking after the well-being of all our colleagues is our number one priority and the UK’s return-to-work guidance provides a clear framework to keep people safe. This is critically important at all of our sites, as we continue to manufacture products for global aerospace, defence and energy customers. The guidance highlights the importance of engaging with the whole team in identifying and mitigating risks, as well as providing clarity on how social distancing can be maintained in the work environment.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive, Federation of Master Builders:
The creation of safe work places is of paramount importance to getting the construction industry back to work and playing its part in helping the country to recover from the current crisis. The government’s willingness to consult and listen to the construction sector about creating safe work places has been positive and productive and will help the return to work. During a time of national emergency it has been reassuring that the Department of Business and the construction sector have worked together so effectively.
Neil Carberry, CEO, Recruitment & Employment Confederation:
The most effective plans for re-opening businesses will come from companies themselves, working with their staff to reduce the risk of COVID transmission. This guidance offers a clear starting point for these discussions. These documents will need to evolve in step with government advice. A steady process of re-opening the economy when the time is right is essential to reducing the long-term hangover of this crisis on people’s jobs, incomes and opportunities.
The government has worked tirelessly over the last few weeks to engage with businesses and trade associations to help provide firms and individuals with the correct guidance and information and we look forward to detailed information on the road map being published soon. The top priority of our businesses is the welfare of staff and clients and we welcome the new alert system which will provide some clarity in communication and for now it is likely that our firms will continue remote working for several months. Many offices can accommodate social distancing and put in to place extra measures such as staggered working shifts, extra screens and desk spacing and we look forward to receiving more detailed guidance on this for the future.
Jonathan Geldart, Director General, Institute of Directors:
This guidance is an important first step. It won’t provide every answer, no guidance can, but directors can use it to inform their risk assessments for operating in this pandemic.
Ultimately, the decision lies with a company’s directors, and they need to feel comfortable they can operate safely. Decisions on re-opening will not be taken lightly. Business leaders want to stand on their own two feet, but most can’t operate at anything like normal capacity at the moment, and making adjustments to protect staff and customers will be a big challenge for many workplaces.
We hope and expect the guidance to evolve over time, but this is a place for employers to start on the long path to getting the economy going again.
Audrey Gallacher, Interim CEO, Energy UK:
We welcome this further guidance from the government on how the country can safely resume further activities as we restart the economy. The energy sector has played a critical role powering the nation, delivering an essential service to households and businesses in a safe and reliable way and helping to keep the economy moving. We are ready to play a leading role in our economic recovery with jobs, growth, and regional development as we continue to decarbonise and provide the cleaner and more resilient economy of the future.
Sarah Albon, Chief Executive, Health and Safety Executive:
The BEIS guidance issued today sets out practical steps employers can take to enable staff to continue and return to work. We have worked with BEIS to ensure businesses have access to the information they need to put in place measures to help them work safely. This will assist employers in carrying out risk assessments and putting practical measures in place.
At the heart of the return to work is controlling the risk posed by the virus. Ensuring safe working practices are in place will help deliver a safe return to work and support businesses across the country.
Michael Izza, Chief Executive, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales:
The government has worked hard in recent weeks to listen to the views of businesses and unions on the practical implications of making workplaces safer. There is a very difficult and delicate balance to be struck between the responsibility to protect individuals and the need to get Britain working again. As the guidance says, the key to that must be local collaboration between employers and their staff.
Miles Celic, Chief Executive Officer, TheCityUK:
Our industry has adapted well to the social distancing measures needed to slow the spread of the virus, with most people working from home, while a small number of key workers go in to keep critical systems operational. Now the UK has passed the peak of the pandemic, the government’s latest guidance for business and workers sets out a path for how the economy can reopen safely. For some that means continuing to play their part from home, but for others it means adjusting to new ways of working which are both safe and sustainable in the weeks and months ahead.
Mark Fox, Chief Executive, Business Services Association:
This guidance is essential. As those working in support services and construction are asked to continue to help keep Britain going - and step up to the next level - their health and safety must come first, alongside the needs of those they are serving. They have been vital for the emergency response, and have already helped keep the country going during the first phase of the crisis.
Dr Richard Smith, Chief Operating Officer, 2M:
The process was very helpful in marshalling thoughts and required actions. The proposed advice looks practical and easy to implement and is scaleable.
Deborah Cadman OBE, Chief Executive, West Midlands Combined Authority:
The safety of the workplace in a world with COVID-19 is of paramount importance so I am grateful that the government has involved the West Midlands Combined Authority in the development of this important document. This guidance will help us all as we begin to build the future West Midlands. For everyone who lives and works here, this will be a healthier, happier, better connected and more prosperous region.
Frances O’Grady, General Secretary, Trade Union Congress:
These safety guidelines are a step in the right direction.
All employers must now carry out and publish risk assessments in consultation with unions and their workforces.
After the confusion of the last few days working people will only feel confident if government and employers act now to make safer working a reality in every workplace.
Getting this right is in the national interest. If rogue employers cut corners it puts us all at risk of another spike in infections.
And government must get to grips with the ongoing crisis in PPE, as more workers start to require it.
Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive, Make UK:
The Secretary of State has driven this highly important step forward in the vital need to build confidence among the workforce so that manufacturing can begin to operate fully. However it’s clear that PPE is going to be a key issue and, despite the guidance being advisory and not mandatory, it’s absolutely essential that manufacturers of all sizes go the extra mile to provide their employees with every piece of equipment which could protect them and ensure they can work safely.
Many manufacturers are already operating at the top end of safe working and have adapted working environments in line with today’s important government guidance.
Tim Wates, Director, Wates Group:
The consultation was well structured. Good transparency and plenty of opportunity to comment on a series of well thought through questions. I felt able to make comments / observations and it was also helpful as I engage with my various boards on best way forward re working safe.
No comments:
Post a Comment