News

Valero shutdown contractors ‘put at risk’

Published

3 years ago

April 6, 2021

THE HERALD has been contacted by employees at a local firm working at a local oil refinery have been told that they had to continue working whilst awaiting coronavirus test results. The local authority says it is investigating.

Several Hertel employees (A subsidiary of Altrad), who wish to remain anonymous, have contacted this newspaper to express their concerns, explaining their employer is putting “their lives and their families lives in danger.”

Sources have told us how two employees of Hertel, who are currently subcontracted to work on the shutdown at Valero, Pembroke, received a positive coronavirus test result, however they claim that Government guidelines are not being followed by the company.

One worker told us how a group of around eighteen employees were told last Tuesday (Mar 23) they would have to go for a coronavirus test as a precautionary measure as they had been in contact with two employees who had tested positive a few days previous.

It is reported that Hertel management told the employees that they must book a test through the NHS testing centre, then once they had the test return to work while they await their result, or they will be penalised financially.

One source said: “They were told by bosses to go get the test and come back to work or you will not get paid. If you come back, you won’t lose anything.”

“If you don’t come back you get nothing.”

Current government guidelines state that those who have taken a test must self-isolate until they receive their results.

Whilst at the coronavirus testing site in Prendergast, Haverfordwest, the employees were told that they must self-isolate until they receive their results.

A source told us that only four employees followed the NHS and Government guidance and stayed at home until they received their test results.

Which left approximately 14 employees returning to the Valero site to continue with their shifts.

Two of the employees who returned to work received positive test results the next day, we have been told.

A source told The Herald how they feel both the individuals who returned to site and the company are both responsible for breaking guidelines.

They added: “It’s all about bums on seats and getting paid.”

They said: “Everybody knows the guidelines, I don’t know what these guidelines that Hertel are following are or where they are getting them from, but they are not the Government guidelines”.

“This virus is killing people.

“It’s either health or wealth, they’ve chosen wealth.”

One source told us that the Council had contacted Valero who in turn spoke to Hertel and asked them to get the employees who had been in contact with the individuals to get tested.

A source alleges that Hertel have issued the same guidance, that employees go for their test, then return to work while awaiting their results.

Another source told us that the way the company is operating is putting people’s lives at risk, they said: “They are letting people back on site with a potentially life-threatening virus, well it is life-threatening.

The Herald contacted both Valero and Pembrokeshire County Council for a statement.

Stephen Thornton, spokesperson for Valero said that they were working with Pembrokeshire County Council.

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesperson said: “Pembrokeshire County Council is aware of this incident and has been working closely with Public Health Wales to ensure that it is managed appropriately.

“Any confirmed cases and all identified ‘close contacts’ are required to isolate for 10 days and asked to take a test.

“In certain situations, as part of the Health Protection response of ‘Case finding’, it can be appropriate to offer COVID-19 tests to a wider group of individuals, even though they have not been identified as close contacts.
Individuals who have not been identified as close contact but who have been asked to take a Covid-19 test as part of case finding would not be expected to self-isolate. However, if any of these individuals test positive or they develop symptoms, they would be required to self-isolate as a case and their close contacts would be traced and asked to self-isolate.

“The local authority and Public Health Wales have worked with the businesses concerned and anyone identified as needing to self-isolate would subsequently have been unable to gain access to the site until after the completion of any self-isolation.”

The Herald has also contacted Hertel for a statement, we await their response.

Crime

Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).

On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.

When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.

Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.

Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).

While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.

After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.

The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.

“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.

“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.

“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.

“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”

On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.

If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always call 999.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”

In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”

Business

Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.

“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”

Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”

“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”