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Stark warning clean energy's dirty secret could lead to dead bodies

PR Newswire

Sydney, Apr. 15, 2021 /Medianet/ --

Stark warning clean energy’s dirty secret could lead to dead bodies 

Thursday 15 April 2021

Shocking video and pictures have emerged highlighting the dangerous conditions workers are being forced to endure at a solar farm construction site in the NSW Central West. 


In this video, workers’ lives at the Suntop Solar Farm near Wellington are put at risk as a shipping container dangles precariously close to a lunch room, while people are inside. 


Despite multiple complaints to the company running the site, Bouygues Construction Australia, the matter was covered up and not reported to SafeWork NSW.


Disturbing pictures show evidence of mice and rats eating food, disgusting toilet and fridge conditions, and a lack of women’s hygiene facilities.


Workers have also complained of no access to fresh drinking water and have been forced to sit outside in the heat and dust, with no undercover amenities provided. 


Allen Hicks, Deputy Secretary, Electrical Trades Union, NSW & ACT Branch said: “These disgraceful conditions are endangering the lives of our members.


“An exclusion zone should have been set up for the operation involving the shipping container, which was being lifted by a mobile crane.


“Instead, our members weren’t told it was happening and were shocked to realise a shipping container, which could easily crush them, was being moved right over their heads.


“Multiple complaints have been made but instead of making improvements, the company terminated the health and safety representative on this site.


“Clearly, basic safety standards are not being enforced and breaches are being swept under the rug.


“Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean and the NSW Government need to urgently intervene to make sure clean energy’s dirty secret doesn’t lead to dead bodies.”


Contact: Allen Hicks 0419 721 037 | Taylah Hill 0466 657 833

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