Luxembourg trade union the LCGB has called for the immediate provision of safety training for construction workers following the reopening of the sector on 20 April 2020.
The LCGB released a statement today in which it drew mixed conclusions on the resumption of construction work in Luxembourg. While most companies have not reported any difficulties since the reopening of construction sites, the union is convinced that several companies continue to put profit above the protection of their employees' health and safety. In addition, smaller companies have encountered obstacles in the implementation of protective measures due to a lack of resources.
Following several on-site meetings and questions from its members, the LCGB, in contact with its delegates, identified certain dangerous situations and found solutions with the management of the companies concerned. In this context, many employees in the sector reported a significant lack of information concerning the measures to be taken as well as the rights and obligations of both employers and employees.
Consequently, the LCGB has called for the compulsory and immediate training of health and safety representatives as well as construction workers designated by the IFSB building sector training institute (Institut de Formation Sectoriel du Bâtiment). The union added that this measure must include all the instructions and obligations related to COVID-19 protection measures ordered by the highest health authorities in the country and must be accompanied by the necessary release hours (beyond conventional agreements) within companies so that the safety representative or the designated worker can inform all employees.
The LCGB maintained that the cost of this training would have to be borne by employers. Nevertheless, the union insisted that health and safety must take precedence over profit.
The LCGB also stressed its opinion that the reopening of construction sites last week was premature since many companies required more preparation time to guarantee safe work. The perceived lack of information and training coupled with a lack of resources has thus created many worrying situations, according to the union. In particular, the LCGB highlighted the example of the organisation of hygiene on construction sites: although employees are equipped with disinfectant and masks, the cleaning of hygiene points such as changing rooms and toilets is not guaranteed; many employees are reportedly required to perform the cleaning themselves without having properly been trained.
