Energy services firm Shawcor insists they are meeting 10-day Covid isolation requirements at Leith site despite recent claims

Global energy services firm Shawcor insists it is meeting mandated self-isolation requirements at its Leith pipe coating site, despite recent claims from workers that health and safety measures are not being properly enforced.

One employee, who did not want to be named, told the Edinburgh Evening News this week they had tested positive for Covid and were aware of close contacts being asked by bosses to return to work several days before their ten day self-isolation period ended.

Last week, another worker raised similar concerns about measures not being enforced and claimed managers were “ignoring” self-isolation rules and that the quality of face masks provided on site was inadequate.

Images taken at the site this week which have been sent to the Edinburgh Evening News, also show a number of employees there not wearing masks - although the majority of those seen in the photographs were.

A worker at the site who previously tested positive for Covid, said: “I am a bit apprehensive about getting Covid again.

“It’s like they (Shawcor) are not bothered. They used to have health and safety walking round all of the time but you would never see anyone enforcing any of the rules. No one is social distancing. I know it’s difficult here but everyone should be wearing masks.”

A Shawcor spokesperson insisted the firm is meeting the mandated ten day isolation requirements, including establishing appropriate return to work timings and protocols, and that they are working with the NHS protection team to complete contact tracing and manage isolation timelines.

Scottish Government advice for employers says that close contacts of someone who has tested positive identified by an NHS contact tracer will have to self-isolate for ten days.

Shawcor says it has increased its cleaning on site since safety concerns were raised last week.

The Shawcor spokesperson said masks are a requirement on site and that those provided are compliant with the Scottish Government’s ‘public use of face coverings’ guidelines.

Increased cleaning

Images published in the Evening News last week also appeared to suggest toilet facilities on site were not being regularly cleaned.

Shawcor says cleaning frequency has since been increased and the company is reminding staff of their personal responsibility to practice safe hygiene, keep communal areas clean, and follow guidelines related to the virus. The company says it has also “re-audited” their social distancing measures.

Pictures taken this week also show signs outside a site Portakabin used for eating and drinking which states only four people are allowed in at any one time. The source claimed that, prior to this sign going up at the weekend, they had witnessed up to 30 people gathering inside what they described as a “small Portakabin” in recent months.

The Shawcor spokesperson said communal areas are treated with Covid specific fogging disinfectant on a regular basis.

They said no employee has or will face repercussions for contracting the virus or adhering to isolation requirements, and that this has been reinforced in their recent communication to employees.

The spokesperson said an unannounced compliance audit conducted at the site by Edinburgh City Council’s environmental health officer in October 2020 also found that “the COVID-19 control measures in place at Shawcor were very good, no improvements required.”

An Edinburgh City Council spokesperson confirmed a site visit took place in October and that no action was required.

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