Prisoner transport firm GEOAmey replaced a broken fire alarm with a sign telling workers to “shout fire, fire, fire” in a emergency.
The company has been accused of a “very serious breach of health and safety” over the notice at its depot in Bellshill, Lanarkshire.
The sign read: “The fire alarm is not working. If you see any smoke flames or suspect a fire shout; fire, fire, fire and leave the building by the nearest emergency exit.”
It advised that once safe, staff should call 999 to alert the fire service.
GMB Scotland’s Karen Leonard has written to the firm demanding action.
She said: “If this is accurate then it would represent a very serious breach of health and safety.
“It would also constitute a breach of the contract the company has with the Scottish Prison Service.
“We will be raising our concerns with SPS and the Health and Safety Executive.”
A GEOAmey spokesman said the notice was a reasonable “alternative measure” to a fire alarm.
He added: “It is widely accepted that automatic fire alarm systems in any workplace may be out of service from time to time due to planned maintenance or through a system fault.”
The GMB said workers are “deeply concerned” about health and safety standards following the coronavirus outbreak.
Leonard claimed vehicles were not being cleaned properly and training had been inadequate.
We revealed last week how prison escort workers in Scotland are on a different pay deal to colleagues in England. Workers are threatening strike action over pay.
