Safety bypass?

A major infrastructure project is being built on the backs of injured workers, as the Press and Journal revealed today (April 3) that one construction worker is hurt each week working on the ÂŁ745m Aberdeen bypass.

According to the Press and Journal, 115 injuries have been recorded on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) since the sod cutting ceremony in 2015.

Some of the injuries have been serious – just last month a construction worker was crushed by a half-tonne water pipe and raced to hospital to treat a tear to his liver, four cracked ribs and two dislocated toes.

Unite regional officer John Clarke called the figures published today “unacceptable.”

“I believe these figures are on the conservative side because I know of more incidents where people have been injured and it has not been recorded and workers have continued going into work because they fear losing their job,” he told the Press and Journal.

“No worker should be put in a position where they don’t return safely home from their shift.

“We need proper dialogue between the contractors and their workers and union reps, and when things go wrong we need openness and transparency so that we can put them right as soon as possible,” he added.

“Safety should be a top priority on every construction project – and especially on a flagship public project like this one.

“Our officers and workplace reps will continue to monitor working conditions on the project, and will be making sure that workers’ voices are heard in any investigation.”

Unite regional co-ordinating officer Steve Dillon told UNITElive that there were various reasons why there were so many injuries on site, among them the removal of a Unite site convenor in October, who has yet to be replaced.

‘Minor’ injuries

He hit back at Transport Scotland, which had said in response to today’s figures that the “vast majority” of the incidents recorded were all “minor”.

“When they say ‘the majority of incidents are all minor’ that is an admission that at least some of them are serious,” Dillon said. “It is our view too that one injury is one injury too many. Some of these so-called ‘minor’ incidents can have long-term effects,” he explained.

“Take a back injury for example – you might dismiss a back injury at the time of the incident as something minor but it’s an injury which can be aggravated over the years and may end up crippling the construction worker when he’s older.”

Dillon went on to say that there were several near-misses where injuries could have well been fatal.

“There have been incidents of lorries toppling over and scaffolding collapsing for example,” he said. “We’re just lucky that no one so far has died.”

In February, an investigation was launched after boulder hurtled through the roof of a 4X4 during a controlled explosion, although no injuries were sustained.

And in September, work was stopped for four days after a 29 foot cage fell on a bridge section of the site.

After the growing number of incidents, Dillon said that Unite is doing all it can to support workers.

“We’re highlighting the issues on site and we’re pushing for the employers to put back a Unite site convenor on the job.”

Windfarms

The latest figures come just as Unite today (April 3) called for action to improve workers’ welfare and safety on windfarms after two workers died in a fortnight.

The first tragedy occurred on March 15 when Antonio Linares a 37 year old Portuguese worker, was killed from a fall at Scottish Power’s Kilgallioch Windfarm in South Ayrshire. Mr Linares was working for contractor Gamesa.

The most recent tragedy occurred on Wednesday (March 29). A Spanish worker fell from a turbine at Scottish Power’s Whitelee Windfarm in East Renfrewshire.

Dillon said that “these two deaths are terrible tragedies and our thoughts go to the families of the two victims.

“In recent years there have been far too many deaths and injuries involving windfarms. These installations are usually in remote locations and there is a concern that these tragedies have not received the same focus if here had occurred in more populous areas.

“Swift action needs to be taken to improve workers’ and wellbeing and to understand how and why these incidents occurred. The Health and Safety Executive needs to bring together all concerned together to learn the lessons and improve safety and welfare in this sector.”

Dillon said that the incidents at the AWPR site as well as the windfarm deaths show exactly why this year’s forthcoming Worker’s Memorial Day on April 28 is as relevant as ever.

“On the day we’ll be reaching out to contractors to push them to do thorough risk assessments. In Scotland we will be speaking at events.

“We have to make sure that all workers – especially those in construction, which is among the most dangerous of industries – are protected. One death is simply one death too many.”

Find out more about a Unite Worker’s Memorial Day event near you here.