Investigation into 'unsafe' Basildon waste plant

The Health and Safety Executive confirmed a whistleblower had raised concerns about the levels of ammonia staff are exposed to and “initial inquiries” were underway at the site.

It concerns the Urbaser waste treatment plant in Courtauld Road, Basildon.

The whistleblower contacted the HSE after he felt his concerns were not being listened to by the company.

Speaking to the Echo, the man claims he was contracted to work as part of a team responsible for high-risk environment on-site rescue and said he specialises in confined spaces.

He claimed workers lacked mandatory equipment and that there are poor monitoring systems in place to measure the levels of ammonia workers were being exposed to.

He said: “These guys were in a space with no protection against recorded toxic levels of h2s ( hydrogen sulphide) gases and ammonia.

“I had to evacuate them from a contaminated area on one evening - they had no training and no breathing apparatus.

“Urbaser got to work and brought in confined space training techs and trained 15 workers on how to put on escape kits but then when they left, they let the men go back in the holes and repeat the same.

“They’ve got humans crawling around in crushed sludge and ammonia.

“I raised all these issues constantly and they showed me the door.”

A spokesman for the HSE said: “The HSE is aware of this concern and is making initial enquiries.

“Due to the restrictions placed on us by the Health and Safety At Work Act, we are not able to provide any more information or comment further at this time.”

A spokesperson for Urbaser Balfour Beatty said “The health and safety of the public and our workforce is always our primary concern.

“The levels of ammonia within the ‘biohalls’ are reviewed twice daily to ensure they remain within the requirements set by the Health and Safety Executive.

“In addition, gas measurements are taken on a regular basis across the facility to ensure it remains a healthy and safe working environment”