LIMERICK Corporation's sanitary services workers remained suspended yesterday following their refusal to carry out instructions during torrential rain which flooded many parts of the city.
The nine workers, who clean the city's sewers, refused to fill sand-bags, saying they were concerned about their health because of the nature of their work. The sanitary workers and the corporation have been involved in a dispute for some years, with the workers claiming 20 men tested positive for hepatitis A antibodies 2 1/2 years ago because of the nature of their work.
Ms Caroline Curley, administrative officer in the corporation's personnel department, said the tests showed the workers to be immune to hepatitis A, and there was no point in organising an in inoculation programme. Hepatitis A can be contracted from conditions leading to poor personal hygiene. There was now an inoculation programme for hepatitis B, she said.
Ms Curley said the corporation had adequate washing and changing facilities for its staff, but was seeking to improve them further. "The SIPTU industrial engineer told us that we were further ahead than most local authorities on health and safety matters. What happened on Friday was that the men claimed there was a health and safety factor involved when they were asked to fill sandbags for distribution."
The Civil Defence and Fire Service carried out the sandbag operation, and yesterday three hours of negotiations took place between the corporation and the sanitary workers.