Hinkley Point C has announced that it will reduce the number of workers by more than half to around 2,000 in the next few days in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
To protect the safety of its workers, Hinkley Point C has said the number of workers on-site will be significantly reduced.
The project will preserve the UK’s specialist nuclear supply chain and its skilled workers by focusing on critical work on nuclear parts of the project. It says that keeping this capability intact is essential for a project of critical national importance and industry which plays a key role in helping the UK reach net-zero.
In a statement, Hinkley Point C, said: “We will work in a focused and limited way with split shifts, extra buses and staggered breaks.
“Reduced numbers will allow easier social distancing in operational areas and sites such as canteens.”
Steps already in place include:
- Shutting its Bristol head office
- Working from home for those that can
- Temperature checks on people entering the site
- Extra cleaning
- Changes in movement patterns
- Closure of bars and gyms.
The company added: “We are aware that many people and families in the locality depend on us and we will work with them to mitigate the impact of our reduced activity. We will consider how our resources can be used to help the community in the current crisis.
“We will continue to work with the trade unions and our supply chain to keep people safe and help them deal with the developing situation.”
Companies currently working on the £22bn project include Laing O’Rourke, Balfour Beatty, Bouygues, Bam Nuttall and Kier.
Hinkley Point C is building two new nuclear reactors, the first in a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK providing low-carbon electricity for around six million homes.
Hinkley Point C will make a major contribution to the UK’s move to reduce carbon emissions. The electricity generated by its two reactors will offset 9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year over its 60-year lifespan.
