ALARMED staff at a Blackpool benefits office are still working in potentially life-threatening conditions, says a union rep.
Almost two years ago The Citizen highlighted safety fears at the Norcross Department of Work and Pensions building in Bispham after on-site contractors poisoned staff with insecticide, set fire to the building and failed to raise the alarm and smashed scaffolding poles through a window, narrowly missing workers.
And now staff are being subjected to vibrating light fittings, smoke-logged offices and rooms littered with five inch shards of glass as work is carried out on the roof.
Branch secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union Fylde coast and Preston branch Duncan Griffiths said: "We have pressed our employer to let us evacuate the building while work is carried out, but they say the work has stopped.
"Why can't they carry out work at weekend when no one is here?
"We came in one morning and the office was full of five inch shards of glass on the floor, desks and chairs. We had to get the sub-contractors in to clean it up but they still didn't do it properly and we had to call them in a second time.
"It's all due to the site not being owned by the DWP but by another firm called Trillium who bring in their own sub-contractors for building work, so we have no control.
"But it's high time this problem was sorted out once and for all before someone gets really hurt."
Further problems at the site include:
DROPPING heavy scaffolding poles on to the top of a temporary building's roof which is known to be weak. The reverberations loosen light fittings and potentially undermine the asbestos paint work in the ceiling below.
FITTING false coloured windows into buildings to reduce glare without fully assessing the impact on staff eyesight. Then placing darkened windows on the North side of the buildings where no natural light falls.
SMOKING the staff out with a smoke stick while staff are still in the room.
MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood Joan Humble visited Norcross on January 18 and told The Citizen: "I visited the site to discuss a variety of issues as I have fairly regular meetings with the union.
"While I was there there was a real racket on the top floor and I asked what the noise was. The building was vibrating and items were clearly being thrown on to the roof. It turned out to be scaffolding as the roof is being cladded. I certainly saw one light fitting wobbling and will be taking it further.
"These are unsatisfactory working conditions and the staff are doing an important job for the Department of Work and Pensions.
"Obviously when work is carried out there is some disruption but it should be to a minimum.
"I shall be taking this matter to the Secretary of State Alistair Darling and asking for a report from Trillium and the managers at Norcross."
A spokesman for DWP said: "I cannot comment on this matter until a full investigation has been carried out."
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