According to the Unite union, more than 30 construction workers have been suspended from the Johnson Matthey’s hydrogen gigafactory construction site in Hertfordshire for refusing to accept worsening conditions.
More than 30 workers have been suspended from the Johnson Matthey’s hydrogen gigafactory construction site in Hertfordshire for refusing to accept worsening dangerous conditions.
Johnson Matthey’s contractors, BGEN and Bilfinger, are also accused of disregarding mental as well as physical health, following two separate suicides on the site.
The £80m government backed project will produce hydrogen battery components for electric vehicles when it is completed.
According to Unite, safety breaches include no running water or heating, no cold weather PPE and inadequate ventilation despite the grinding of paint containing carcinogens.
The site was shut down by the operators for two weeks due to the health and safety concerns. However the issues have not only not been resolved but are worsening, Unite claims.
Johnson Matthey said it did not recognise the picture being painted by Unite. A spokesperson said: “Safety is always our number one priority and we take all possible steps to make sure workers have a secure working environment. We completely reject the union’s assertion of conditions at the site.”
However, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “There is something seriously wrong with the way the Johnson Matthey’s site is being run. Workers are being put in danger with their mental and physical health being totally disregarded by Johnson Matthey, BGEN and Bilfinger.
“The HSE needs to be on site now to launch an urgent investigation as well as Unite given access to the site to support members. Unite will not rest until the workforce’s concerns are addressed.”
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