FACTORY BACK TO WORK BUT STAFF FEARS REMAIN:
THE Health and Safety Executive will continue to monitor the 2 Sisters abattoir on Anglesey as it reopens – but some workers remain concerned.
The chicken processing plant had its first positive case at the end of May and the virus spread through the workforce - forcing its closure just over a fortnight ago.
A mass testing programme was carried out by Army-run mobile testing units and Public Health Wales confirmed that more than 200 workers at the 560-staff plant tested positive for coronavirus.
The site reopened last week with union officials given a tour of the plant and production is due to begin next week when all 560 staff will return in a phased approach.
2 Sisters said an extra 30 measures had been introduced to make the site more Covidsafe while Anglesey council said the Health and Safety Executive would closely monitor the plant.
Paddy McNaught, Unite’s regional organiser, said Unite officials at 2 Sisters had toured the site.
He added that a vast majority of staff had been tested and those who hadn’t had been self-isolating. He said the union was now satisfied that steps had been taken to keep staff safe.
He added: “At this time when jobs are being lost in the economy I am pleased that next week workers will be returning to work.”
But one staff member said they still had serious concerns about returning.
They said everyone returning should be required to show a test result before being allowed back into work.
Another said despite hearing about the additional measures they remained worried due to the cold environment in the abattoir.
An Anglesey County Council spokesperson said: “Two Sisters management have kept informed us of their plans in regard of the Llangefni plant returning to operation.
“Additional arrangements are in place to safeguard the health and well-being of employees and wider community.
“We have also been informed that the Health and Safety Executive will be closely monitoring the site.”
Ynys Môn AM Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “After a very difficult period for everyone involved at the 2 Sisters site in Llangefni, the site is now reopening, and the staff and the wider community need to be given confidence that everything possible is being done to keep them safe, and that lessons have been learnt.
“The 2 Sisters Group say they’re taking a phased approach to reopening, beginning with training for staff on the new measures in place.
“The Health and Safety Executive tell me they’re confident that the right changes have been put in place, both in practical terms – with some changes to the plant layout, for example - and in terms of the actions and vigilance of workers at all times while on site.
“Crucially, they say they’ll remain on site for a period to monitor how changes are being implemented. I’ll stay in close contact with 2 Sisters, the HSE and workers themselves over the coming weeks and months.”
The firm said among the additional measures introduced were full ‘opposite’ and ‘side-by-side’ screening, teams managed in ‘bubbles,’ and CCTV surveillance of all potential high traffic areas.