Workers at the Hinkley Point C nuclear reactor construction site in Somerset are facing serious health and safety concerns due to a significant rat infestation, commonly referred to as "nuclear rats." The alarming situation has prompted urgency from trade unions Unite and GMB, who have called on French energy company EDF to take immediate action to remedy the rodent problem at the site.
The construction of the Hinkley Point C reactor is a pivotal project, marking the first new nuclear power station in the UK in decades. However, reports indicate that the presence of rats has become a pressing issue, triggering anxiety among the workers. An insider at the site shared observations with the Observer, stating: "They're all over. You see them just sat there, looking at you. It is worse near the canteens, where I guess it started. But they are everywhere now." This source further noted that the situation has deteriorated, attributing the infestation to increasing rubbish and unclean areas, particularly around canteen facilities.
Workers have described the conditions on-site as "quite grim." As financial constraints have plagued the project, with costs exceeding the initial budget by over a billion pounds, employees have expressed fears that these economic pressures are compromising their working conditions and potentially affecting their wages. These apprehensions led to industrial action last November, during which hundreds of workers, including electricians, pipe fitters, and welders, stopped work due to safety concerns.
Addressing the issue, a spokesperson for Hinkley Point C acknowledged the presence of vermin, stating: "As is common across all large construction sites, there will be occasions when the presence of vermin is noted. A specialist company has carried out a survey and measures are in place to address the issue. We are committed to working alongside our trades union partners to provide the best environment for all of our workers."
The construction site is expected to create approximately 3,000 jobs over the next 18 months and, once completed, the nuclear power plant is projected to supply electricity to around six million British households.
The current rodent concerns echo a broader issue in the UK, with the Daily Star reporting on the emergence of "cat-sized rats" in Birmingham, prompting worries about potential outbreaks of Leptospirosis, a rare bacterial disease that can be transmitted through the urine of infected animals, primarily from rats. Residents in Birmingham have reported encountering these large rodents, exacerbated by industrial action among waste collectors, leading to litter accumulation in the streets. The NHS has highlighted symptoms of Leptospirosis, which include high fever, headaches, and body aches, noting that it may be harder to detect in individuals with darker complexions.
As the Hinkley Point C project continues, both workers' health and safety, as well as the broader implications of urban rodent populations, remain under close scrutiny.
Source: Noah Wire Services