Union calls for review of workers’ safety at Falkirk’s amenity tips

A trade union has called for an urgent review of workers’ safety at Falkirk Council’s recycling centres.
The trade union wants an urgent review of workers' safety at the region's recycling centres.The trade union wants an urgent review of workers' safety at the region's recycling centres.
The trade union wants an urgent review of workers' safety at the region's recycling centres.

GMB Scotland says that violence and aggression towards staff at Falkirk’s recycling centres has increased significantly since the re-opening of this facility.

Staff have told GMB that police have been called on several occasions to assist with violence and threatening behaviour from members of the public.

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The GMB statement follows reports of a grievance put in by a council worker who said the situation was “like a tinderbox” and that he feared for his safety as he faced angry members of the public trying to access the Kinneil recycling centre when it re-opened after lockdown.

The employee says it was impossible to socially distance, the PPE was inadequate and staff were not trained properly on how to calm the anger of stressed out residents.

GMB Scotland is now calling for an urgent review of risk assessments and procedures on how the public is accessing the facilities.

GMB Scotland organiser David Hume said: “It is unacceptable for any member of staff to be physically or verbally abused whilst at work.

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“There should be a zero tolerance approach to violence and abusive behaviour.

“Our members are hard working people trying to provide a service for the general public and should never feel threatened in their workplace.

Falkirk Council need to act fast and do everything they can to keep our members safe at work.”

Falkirk Council has denied that there is a lack of training or safety measures.

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Councillor Paul Garner, spokesman for the environment, said: “We completely agree that no employee should suffer abuse or threatening behaviour while carrying out their role in helping the public.

“Our risk assessments have been agreed with the trade unions and employees are aware how to raise any concerns.

“In addition, our employees are trained in dealing with customers.

“Over the past ten weeks 68,000 members of the public have visited our sites with very few complaints raised.

“I have visited the site on several occasions to see for myself the issues faced by the public and employees.”