Employee safety 'paramount' for Global Energy Group as 180 return to work during coronavirus lockdown
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A MAJOR Ross-shire employer this has insisted the safety of its employees "is of paramount importance" as it carries out "essential and critical work" during the coronavirus lockdown.
The Global Energy Group has sanctioned the return of around 180 people across its across our five Cromarty Firth and two Aberdeen facilities as part of a phased return in what a spokesman called "a controlled and reduced manner to meet the Government’s guidelines and permissions of essential and critical work for the wider energy industries".
Some employees had privately voiced concerns about the potential health implications and said they felt pressured into returning. One, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "Some are refusing because they are really worried.
"Some have been told there's more danger going to the supermarket than back to work. But they are concerned they'll be around people and then go back to their families. It's the wrong time."
A spokesman for Global, which operates Nigg Energy Park and also has bases at Invergordon and Evanton, said: "The safety of our workforce is of paramount importance. Our senior management and health and safety teams have looked to reduce risk wherever possible in going beyond the government guidelines by putting new processes and awareness training in place.
"The reality of the current situation is the working environment has changed. Before anyone returns to the workplace, each employee undertakes a mandatory Covid-19 e-learning awareness module in order to emphasise our Group’s expectations and highlight the changes in procedure. All those that are now working have received appropriate personal protection equipment, they all complete a daily self-declaration form and attend tool box talks to emphasise the importance of the additional safety requirements; social distancing, particularly within the welfare facilities, stores and clocking in areas.
"There are also added measures of constant monitoring to ensure compliance of the new processes as well as full time cleaning in each of the facilities."
Cromaty Firth councillor Maxine Smith said she was aware Global had closed for several weeks to safety measures in place. She said they are classed as an essential business under the ‘transport’ heading.
She said: "I have been contacted about many operational businesses where employees are unhappy but I have to say not one staff member from any of the Global sites have complained to me so I can only assume they’re doing it right. They did get in touch prior to re-opening to assure me that they would do it properly."
She said she had received some complaints about men travelling together in vans which contrvenes social distancing rules. She said: "Even the council can only allow one operative in a bin lorry for instance, the others have to travel separately. As of yesterday the police now have powers to visit firms to enforce the two-metre rule. If staff are dissatisfied at any firm and suspect that these rules are not being observed they should call 101 to report it."
She said some companies such as Technip had put in place over 100 new safety measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus and "led by example".
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