Rochdale council have carried out an inspection at JD Sports Warehouse after reports that employees’ health and safety was being breached.
Public Protection Inspectors were sent to the distribution centre on Thursday (26 March) after repeated claims from staff that they were being put at risk of catching coronavirus.
The Manchester Evening News has been inundated with emails from workers who said it was “impossible” to maintain social distancing rules inside the warehouse.
Inspectors were sent to asses the Kingsway premises last week, and found “many precautions and measures” had been introduced to the prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Cabinet member for Business, John Blundell said following the visit, he believed the warehouse could “go further” to maintain government measures.
Several councillors have now written an email to warehouse bosses, warning that further inspections will take place if the council continue to receive complaints.
“We sent round Public Protection to see what measures had been implemented,” Cllr Bundell said.
“It seemed they had wound down operations and they had put several measures in place.
“Myself and other councillors have now written an email to inform the warehouse that we will keep sending inspectors round if we carry on receiving complaints,” he added.
A spokesperson for JD Warehouse said the firm have taken “the necessary steps” to ensure that the correct safeguards are in place.
An email sent by ward councillors stated: “During the visit it was evident that many precautions and measures have been introduced to fulfil your responsibilities regarding preventing the spread of COVID 19 which is reassuring.
“But we think you could go further.
“We will be asking officers to visit again if we continue to receive complaints.”
The email also asked bosses to justify their decision to remain open during the current pandemic, given advice from the Government.
“Can we please ask why you have stayed open, and why you have not allowed your employees to stay at home to help limit the spread of COVID-19,” the email said.
“Don’t do too little too late and be sorry you stayed open.”
Last week, shocking pictures emerged from inside the warehouse, where it is thought thousands of people are still working.
Images show workers gathered around, many standing less than two metres apart.
Some staff have said it is ‘impossible’ to implement social distancing.
A petition set up, calling for the warehouse to close, has reached over 2,000 signatures.
(Image: MEN Media)
Shopworkers union Usdaw slammed the company for opening at all.
“This is disgraceful behaviour from one of the country’s biggest and most successful companies,” said Tony Clare, the union’s deputy divisional officer.
“They may be abiding by the letter of the government guidelines, which are now being shown to be an absolute shambles, but this is not in the spirit of what the government and more importantly the public expect.
“Selling trainers and sports fashion is not an essential service in the middle of our greatest ever national emergency.
“Unfortunately this is not surprising, the company has an appalling record when it comes to the health and safety of their staff.”
(Image: MEN Media)
A spokesperson for JD Sports said: “Our priority remains the health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and customers during this difficult time.
“JD Sports continues to observe the latest Government guidelines for businesses, with the current advice (updated on 27 March 2020) stating that “online retail is still open and encouraged and postal and delivery service will run as normal”.
“We have taken the necessary steps to ensure that the correct safeguards are in place.
“First, we have dramatically reduced the number of colleagues on site by more than 40% to 400 on a day shift and 300 at night. We have increased hygiene and cleaning processes, and have implemented social distancing measures in our distribution centres, in order to minimise any transfer risk at our facilities.
“On Thursday 26 March 2020, Rochdale Borough Council visited our Distribution Centre to review the safeguards currently in place.
“The conclusion of this visit was that JD Sports was “currently complying to the best of [its] ability in accordance with current Coronavirus guidelines”.
“Following this, and to address the volume of complaints, a follow up visit will be undertaken to ensure the precautions in place are maintained.
“In light of the Council’s positive conclusion, we will continue to act in line with the latest government advice and are continually monitoring the situation.”
