Barnet UNISON seriously health and safety concerns about building works at the depot
On Monday 18 November 2019 building works begin at the purpose built depot.
“There may be disruption to bin collection services while we carry out urgent work at Oakleigh Depot which is where our recycling and waste services are mainly run from.
Urgent work is being carried out to fix the issue of the ground movement, so that we can continue to run services safely from the depot.
Recycling and refuse collections may take place later into the day up until 10pm.”
(Source: https://www.barnet.gov.uk/depotworks)
Basically a large section of road in the depot over 200 metres or more is at risk of sliding down the hill into Oakleigh Road South.
Barnet UNISON members have been raising serious concerns about the land movement for almost 18 months. It is disappointing that the concerns of the workforce and the trade unions were ignored and now the damage requires a serious engineering intervention that will take up to six months to complete.
Today Friday 15 November 2019, Barnet UNISON has not had a single risk assessment about the major building works that are due to start on Monday. The depot is already under pressure due to the subsidence which makes traffic movement a critical risk. We have had ongoing problems with lighting in the mornings and serious concerns about the state of the Brogans site for the vehicles. It is clear the haste to move into Brogans without making it fit for purpose is being made at the expense of the health and safety of our members.
Request after request have been submitted requesting the risks assessments none have been made available.
The following Health and Safety legislation applies has been ignored:
Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations, 1977.Regulation 7
Inspection of documents and provision of information.
(1) Safety representatives shall for the performance of their functions under section 2(4) of the 1974 Act and under these Regulations, if they have given the employer reasonable notice, be entitled to inspect and take copies of any document relevant to the workplace or to the employees the safety representatives represent which the employer is required to keep by virtue of any relevant statutory provision within the meaning of section 53(1) of the 1974 Act except a document consisting of or relating to any health record of an identifiable individual.
Barnet UNISON: Fail
Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974
2 (6) It shall be the duty of every employer to consult any such representatives with a view to the making and maintenance of arrangements which will enable him and his employees to co-operate effectively in promoting and developing measures to ensure the health and safety at work of the employees, and in checking the effectiveness of such measures.
Barnet UNISON: Fail
Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations, 1977. Regulation 4A
(1) Without prejudice to the generality of section 2(6) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, every employer shall consult safety representatives in good time with regard to – (a) the introduction of any measure at the workplace which may substantially affect the health and safety of the employees the safety representatives concerned represent;
Barnet UNISON: Fail
In light of the above Barnet UNISON has no option but to escalate this matter in order that our members are safe at work.
If you are a Barnet UNISON member working at the Depot and have any questions or concerns please ring our Barnet UNISON office on 0208 359 2088 or email contactus@barnetunison.org.uk