Unite has urged the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to investigate serious health concerns at Crossrail’s Bond Street station following the death of four workers
The workforce on the Bond Street section of the Crossrail project has been on standby following reports that four workers operating on the project had passed away in their sleep.
Bond Street station will improve accessibility for over 225,000 people using the Jubilee line.
The death of four Crossrail colleagues has spurred an investigation into the air quality of the working environment. While some workers on the 600 person project have put down their tools until the issue is resolved.
Details of how the workers died have not been revealed, but the most recent deaths are believed to have been a result of possible heart attacks.
Construction union, Unite has been raising issues concerning the air quality levels at Bond Street for months. Thanks to its persistence it has ensured that an improved air quality monitoring system was put in place.
Although contractors Costain and Skanska have assured that there is no issue with the air quality at Bond Street, Unite has warned that this claim is hasty.
Guy Langston, Unites regional officer, said: “Workers at Bond Street have had genuine concerns about air quality levels for months and despite obstruction from management, Unite has ensured improvements have been made.
“The latest tragedies have again highlighted concerns with the air quality at the station and it is essential that the HSE holds a full inquiry into all elements of health and safety on the project.
“Workers should not return to work until independent testing has confirmed that it is safe to do so.
“If workers are going to have any confidence in air quality monitoring it is essential that Costain and Skanska do not revert to their union-busting principles but fully involve Unite in testing and introducing measures to ensure that workers are not being placed at risk.”
