A Moray construction worker claims he is being prevented from earning a living after being banned from a construction site for using his mobile phone.
Paul Briggs, who is a member of Elgin Community Council, was issued a “red card” by Robertson after being seen holding a mobile phone while working at the RAF Lossiemouth expansion project for a contractor in February.
When the 44-year-old attempted to begin work for a different firm at the same location this week he was prevented from entering – and told he had been “banned”.
Mr Briggs, who helped erect the steelwork for the new hangars at the RAF base, claims the “red card” practice, which has led to him being barred from working at any Robertson site for six months, discriminates against workers’ chances of securing income.
However, the construction firm insists that the rules are necessary to ensure compliance with its health and safety and security regulations.
Mr Briggs, who had been due to put up panels in the hangers he helped build, said: “I had been working on the site for nine months and it was my last day on the site, the phone was just in my hand as I walked towards the exit.
“I’m not working for Robertson, yet they seem to be able to say who I can and can’t work and where I can and can’t work at the same time. It’s stopping me from earning a living in the meantime.
“I’ve worked in construction for 22 years and never encountered anything like it. This kind of thing could push people into financial difficulties.”
Robertson is the principal contractor for the project to build a new hangar and squadron headquarters for the nine Poseidon P-8 submarine-hunting planes which are due to begin arriving at RAF Lossiemouth next year.
Yesterday the company explained that Mr Briggs had been made fully aware of the consequences of using his mobile phone at the time of the incident.
A Robertson spokesman said: “We reserve the right to remove operatives from the site who do not comply with project health and safety and security requirements.
“The individual was fully made aware of the requirements and due to a failure to comply has been excluded from working on any Robertson site for six months.”
