Denied toilet breaks, Tata Steel UK plant security guards forced to 'soil themselves'

IN what would shock the workers’ rights activists, security guards at the Tata Steel plant in Port Talbot, Wales, have claimed that they are forced to urinate in bottles and soil themselves after being denied toilet breaks while on duty.

An investigation by ITV Wales has made the revelations.

Current staff members and former guards have sought to keep their identities hidden as they fear loss of jobs and reprisals if they speak out on the matter. They have nevertheless blown the whistle on conditions that the employees face during gruelling 12-hour shifts at the site’s main gates.

John (not his real name) worked as a guard at the Indian company’s Port Talbot plant. He was an employee of Corps Security like all other guards there but was answerable only to the head of security which was employed by Tata, ITV reported.

He said he was allowed one 40-minute break during his 12-hour shift and had to ring for cover if he needed to go to the toilet outside his break. He even added that the cover requested for was almost always denied.

“I found there were difficulties getting cover to go to the loo. A lot of the guards in the control posts were actually peeing in bottles because they knew they couldn't go and then trying to discard it wherever they could,” he said.

John admitted that on one occasion, he soiled himself after the cover was refused and to add to his embarrassment, he was removed off the site by the management.

“It’s an embarrassment, it’s not something you like to admit, you just feel as if you’re inhumane. I kept ringing and ringing and asking please can someone come down to take the post so that I can go across to the centre and go to the loo and I just kept being told ‘no, no there’s no one coming down you’re just going to have to wait’.

“I had to leave the post and the following day, when I went in, I was told that the Tata Steel security manager had looked through the CCTV, seen that I was twelve minutes going across to the loo and coming back, and told Corps Security to site remove me,” he added.

John said he left the job at Tata Steel soon after the incident and found a job elsewhere.

The company employs around 4,000 people at the Port Talbot plant and is one of Wales’ key employers. The plant produces nearly five million tonnes of steel slab every year and is one of Europe’s largest steelworks.

There are other complaints over the working conditions at the plant.

A current staff member, who also chose to remain anonymous, told ITV Cymru Wales that the site’s working conditions are poor.

“I’ve seen rats at the gatehouses and nothing is done about it when we raise concerns. Guards urinate in bottles and cups as they cant get cover to use the toilet. I know staff members who have wet themselves after waiting over an hour and a half to use the toilet. People are scared to speak out,” he said.

Tata Steel issued a statement in which it said, “We are concerned about the issues which have been raised. Everyone who works on our sites must have access to the facilities they need to allow them to work in a safe and comfortable environment.”

“We have outsourced our security services to a third party supplier, which is responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of its staff, including appropriate breaks. We have contacted the relevant contract company and are seeking answers on these matters. We will conduct an investigation and act on any findings.”

A source in Corps Security said, “As a social enterprise, Corps Security values our employees highly and fully respects their rights and entitlements. We have a strong record of positive engagement with our people and we encourage an open dialogue with each and every member of staff.

“In March this year, a member of the security team working at Tata Steel’s Port Talbot site raised the issue of access to comfort breaks. We investigated and canvassed the wider team for feedback but no-one else mentioned this as a concern. Shortly afterwards, the individual moved to work on another site managed by Corps Security.”

It said that Corps Security will set up an on-site clinic working closely with Tata Steel to ensure everyone has an opportunity to share their respective views.

“If needed, we will then make adjustments in conjunction with our customer,” it said.