WORRIED WORKERS CALL MSP FOR HELP
Cake staff unhappy about social distancing
Concerned staff at cake factory Lightbody in Hamilton were continuing their battle with bosses this week.
The workers called on MSP Christina Mckelvie for help and she brought in the council’s environmental health department, amid claims of a lack of social distancing in the plant.
Staff have been up in arms since the country was put into lockdown almost
four weeks ago because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Their fears were heightened when a fellow worker was diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus recently.
Environmental health visited the site on Tuesday.
Lightbody have been asked to enhance measures amid claims the firm are flouting social distancing guidelines.
Workers at the Hamilton cake factory called on the council’s environmental health department after a member of staff was diagnosed with the deadly Covid-19.
Over the last three weeks, employees have been complaining over what they say is a serious lack of social distance rules at the Bothwell Road site, claiming people are still standing only feet apart on production lines for hours each day.
It is understood the factory already have a number of employees selfisolating for precautionary reasons and staff say they were forced to call on politicians to help bring in environmental health to carry out an inspection at the site.
Parent company Finsbury Food Group, however, stressed Lightbody has taken all measures necessary to protect their staff and that they have “enhanced measures” already in place as instructed by environmental health.
Christina Mckelvie – MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse – has been working with Lightbody staff and asked for environmental health to visit the site.
She commented: “Members of the workforce have raised concerns about the dangerous working conditions at Lightbody.
“Those who contacted me have serious worries about a lack of social distancing measures and whether the factory should even be running at all. I share those concerns and that is why I contacted environmental health.
“To continue running, all businesses need to think hard about whether they are providing an essential service to the public and whether they can keep their staff safe.
“Under the health and safety executive guidance, companies have a duty of care to protect their staff and this is more important than ever at a time like this.
“There are a multitude of Government programmes to help businesses who need to close during this pandemic, protect the jobs of their staff and companies’ future and should Lightbody take such an action to protect their staff, I am more than happy to help with the transition.”
One staff member, who did not want to be named said: “We are still in so much danger.
“These half-measures are still not good enough and we are still working in close proximity, with one of the fundamental parts of the job being that two people have to carry the ingredients tubs together at all times.
“Tunnock’s did not risk it for a biscuit, but our company is risking our lives for cakes.”
Another concerned staff member contacted the Advertiser and said: “The majority of employees have raised the issues of social distancing not being possible in the workplace and the company keep giving a well-worded response, but the reality is it just doesn’t happen on shift.
“Social distancing just isn’t possible because you have various jobs that rely on two people being inches apart to perform.”
Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley is also in contact with staff and added: “I have had a number of constituents that work in Lightbody contact me, concerned that they are being put in a dangerous position to produce non-essential items.
“Businesses have to act with their employees’ best interests at heart and if social distancing cannot be maintained, then the business should close.”
A spokesperson for the Finsbury Food Group said this week: “As we have stated previously, Lightbody has introduced comprehensive social distancing measures across the site, in line with government guidelines.
“These measures were clearly demonstrated to Environmental Health within South Lanarkshire Council who confirmed they were satisfied during a positive visit to the site last week.
“The representative made some suggestions to enhance the measures already in place, which have subsequently been implemented.”
The company also said screens have been put in place and PPE has been provided for additional protection.
South Lanarkshire Council this week confirmed the visit of environmental health.
Head of Fleet and Environmental Services, Shirley Clelland, said: “We have been liaising with Lightbody’s in relation to the social distancing measures that have been put in place.
“A visit was carried out today (Tuesday) to see these in operation.
“Environmental Services offered advice to enhance the existing measures.
“We are happy to provide assistance to local business on social distancing measures that can be implemented.”