Tradesmen at the new under-construction Royal Liverpool Hospital say they are very concerned about "a blatant lack of health measures" on the construction site relating to the spread of Covid-19.
Numerous workers on the city centre complex have come forward to the ECHO with the claims, speaking of their fears that public safety enforced by bosses Laing O'Rourke is largely absent.
In response, Laing O'Rourke has said the government had made it clear that construction sector should continue working and that it had developed a detailed plan to safely continue work.
A fortnight ago, we revealed how the under construction Royal, lying empty and unfinished after the high-profile collapse of previous contractor Carillion, would soon be opened as an emergency measure to accept coronavirus patients.
Hundreds of workers are now employed on the city centre site for Laing O'Rourke, largely carrying out indoor work including plasterers, plumbers and electricians.
Among their claims are a "very clear absence" of social distancing working measures, a lack of masks and daily "toolbox talk" meetings to explain coronavirus-related protocol.
With 200-300 workers currently on site at the new Royal, which was supposed to be finished in 2017, it has emerged an extra large influx is expected this week, raising anxiety levels further among some tradesmen.
Workers also alleged Laing O'Rourke managers were unsympathetic to employees' fears and described a "get the job done" attitude and message from superiors, at the expense of health worries.
Some workers have already decided to quit the job over concerns, it was claimed.
Today, union bosses said the reports were "deeply worrying", adding they had also been contacted by workers staying silent instead of speaking out in case they were sacked.
Unite management also said they got in touch with Laing O'Rourke two months ago to make sure social-distancing and safe working was complied with at the new Royal Liverpool Hospital site.
But, "the olive branch was firmly rejected," the union added.
They have vowed to "back any concerned worker all the way" and urged them to contact them on a hotline number "in the strictest of confidence."
In response, Laing O'Rourke disagreed with the substance of some of the claims, pointing out how floor signage was used in places, day and night shifts without crossover times were now implemented, masks were not legally compulsory and smaller "daily activity briefings" had now replaced suspended toolbox talks, which are traditionally larger gatherings.
There is also a system of one person per table in the site canteen, it was also said.
One man, from Liverpool, was among numerous employees who contacted the ECHO.
He said: "There's no two metre rule, here, whatsoever.
"The job can still get done with workers staying apart, but that's not what is in place.
"It's only a matter of time before someone on site gets the virus, and then we'll have real problems.
"There are quite a lot of lads here, who aren't in unions, so if you raise concerns, we all strongly believe you'll be gone."
Another tradesman, also a Merseysider, said: "There's emotional blackmail going on, about the hospital needing to be finished to stop people dying.
"I'm speaking to friends around the country on sites, and watching the news, and seeing construction sites on TV, and there's hazard-type signs on the floor and that's what friends elsewhere tell me too.
"There's very little of that here.
"People don't want to raise concerns as they don't want to be suddenly unemployed, there's very likely a recession on the way, and work in the future could be hard to find.
"Mayor Joe Anderson spoke glowingly some weeks ago of the team, like us, putting this new hospital together, well, it's about time the concerns about our own health were addressed."
Unite regional officer Colin Carr said: "The reports of a lack of social distancing on the new Royal Liverpool are deeply worrying.
"In March, Unite made the offer to work with Laing O'Rourke to ensure social distancing and safe working could be achieved.
"That olive branch was firmly rejected.
“Unite has been contacted by workers on the site who report a fear of losing their jobs is preventing them raising safety concerns.
"Ultimately, if workers believe that they are being placed in danger they have a right to stop work.
"If a worker finds themselves in this position Unite will back them all the way.
“No worker should be placed in the impossible position of risking their health in order to feed their family.
"It is imperative that all construction companies work with Unite to ensure social distancing, deep cleaning and the provision of the correct PPE, to ensure the safety of construction workers and their families.
"If any worker on the Royal Liverpool is concerned about their safety they should call the Unite hotline on 0207 622 2442 or email: construction@unitetheunion.org all contacts will be treated in the strictest confidence.”
A Laing O’Rourke spokeswoman said: "The government has been clear that the construction sector should continue working and follow Public Health England’s social distancing guidance.
"Our priorities from the start have been to protect our people, and so slow the spread of the virus, and to maintain some level of operations as we progress work on a project that will be a vital asset for the NHS and the people of Liverpool.
“We have introduced new working practices and have developed a detailed plan to safely continue work based on the requirements of the Construction Leadership Council’s updated site operating procedures.
"Our workforce has been split into day and night shifts, with a gap provided between shifts to make sure teams do not cross over.
"We have implemented remote working for all people whose role allows it.
"Social distancing rules have been implemented in our welfare facilities and we have sourced additional canteen space.
"Signage has been installed at key points within the project as a reminder to people to maintain safe distancing and stringent hygiene measures are in place.
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"We understand that people may have concerns presented by this evolving situation and we listen carefully to any points raised by our teams and will review challenges on a constant basis to help protect people further.”
At the start of May, city, construction and NHS leaders described how three specialist "step down" wards - to help people recovering from Covid-19 - would open within a week to help with the fight against the global virus in Liverpool.
It was set to care for up to 65 patients.
The city has been hit very hard by the disease.
On Saturday, the total number of deaths of patients with Covid-19 at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust stood at 384.
The new Royal Liverpool hospital was supposed to open in 2017 but has remained unfinished after the dramatic collapse and serious failings of previous contractor Carillion.
It was said that the serious construction issues left by Carillion at the new Royal meant that it would not open until at least 2022, but a huge effort meant that three specialist wards were to open this month.
The new Royal Covid-19 unit for Covid-19 sufferers was said to be supported by 130 staff, including physiotherapists and occupational therapists, plus healthcare assistants, nurses and doctors.
