Clean shaven nuke workers sent home

Last updated 13:25, Wednesday, 06 August 2008

FIFTEEN Sellafield workers were sent home for not being clean shaven.

The contractors, who were working on an asbestos removal project at Calder Hall last Tuesday, began work at 7am in full protective gear, including mouth masks.

But later, two junior managers from Hertel Services, which employs the contractors, told those who were not clean shaven to go home because their stubble was causing a breach in health and safety regulations. Hertel Services says that a satisfactory respiratory seal cannot be achieved unless the worker is clean shaven.

A worker who did not wish to be named said many of the men offered to shave on site rather than be sent home but they were told that was not an option.

However, a spokesperson from the Sellafield press office said Hertel denied that any of the men offered to shave. The caller, one of the workers sent home, added: “We had a check last Thursday and there were workers there then who were not clean shaven and nobody was told to go home.”

Each of the workers lost around £150 but were told they could return to work the following day, as long as they had shaved.

A spokesman for Hertel (UK) said: “Hertel has clear health and safety rules which are made known to all employees, many of which are there to protect the workers themselves.

“When working with asbestos, or in an environment where asbestos may be found, it is essential that workers are clean shaven to ensure safety masks seal on the face.

“Failure to be clean shaven is a clear breach of health and safety, hence these workers being sent home.”