Unite the Union has this week reported that five individuals working on the Hinkley Point C project have tested positive for Coronavirus.
An update from Unite The Union issued on Tuesday (May 5th) stated that one person from Balfour Beatty, one for Bylor, two from Somerset Larder and one for G4S FM.
A spokesman for Unite the Union said: “All individuals identified as being at high risk of exposure have had site access passes deactivated and have been sent away for testing.”
“Until negative test results are presented, they will not be allowed back to the project. Work areas of potential concern have been identified.”
An EDF spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Wednesday (May 6th): “Since the beginning of the pandemic, five members of the Hinkley Point C site team have tested positive for Coronavirus. This includes one who had not been on site for more than three weeks before feeling ill and is very unlikely to have posed a risk. There is no evidence of infections on site caused by the other workers.”
“Investigations include contact tracing and tracking the health of those who are, or have been, in self-isolation. Hinkley Point C has many steps in place to prevent the spread of infection on site, including enabling social distancing, reducing numbers and monitoring the health of everyone entering the site.”
EDF has also issued a separate community update from Hinkley Point C construction delivery director Nigel Cann this week.
Mr Cann said: “At Hinkley Point C, our remaining workforce is now well adapted to social distancing and the experience gained has helped us to make a small and safe increase in numbers to just under 2,500, still fewer than half what it was at the start of the year.”
“Many people on the project are continuing to work remotely. These aren’t just admin roles. Complex technical tasks are now being successfully done at home – with quality maintained through rigorous checking and assurance.”
“With fewer people on site, we have found that many construction jobs can be done with social distancing, and we’ve worked hard to make that possible. For tasks that require closer working, we provide extra protective equipment.”
“We have had excellent support from our local suppliers and I am pleased that they have been active in helping the community.”
“For example, our catering supplier Somerset Larder has been providing food to NHS workers and our accommodation provider HOST has been supporting a local care home. Our own site team is working with the charity Fareshare to distribute food to those in need across Somerset.”
