Mine fire: "workers should not be blamed for the outbreak"

In a written statement, the Gruvfyran board states that many discussions are ongoing about the outbreak of corona in Gällivare and whether it has its source in the rope stop in LKAB's work in Malmberget. Right in that part they have no opinion.

"We do not have the medical knowledge and do not have figures or dates to investigate it."

The Board continues:

“What we do know, on the other hand, is that we from Mining 4 questioned about holding a rope stop in the middle of a pandemic because of the health risks. We have struggled and made suggestions to set, plan, extend or postpone it. "

Despite this, the Mining Firm believes that the blame has been placed on the members despite the fact that there were no prerequisites for adhering to the guidelines for the rope stop.

“Gathering 800 people makes it all difficult. Keeping the distance on the markings in the dining room works, but switching to a fully packed dressing room does not work. The workers do not own the work environment responsibility and should not now be responsible in the debt issue. "

LKAB's acting chief of staff Fredrik Björkenwall thinks that even smt protection physician Anders Nystedt has considered that the group's action plans have been satisfactory, but he does not want to push on a conflict with the union.

- We have full confidence in the union and our employees, There are certainly individual comments, but we have carried out this rope stop together with the union representatives. We have found that coordination has been good and that we have achieved consensus, ”he says.

Do you feel like the mine lighthouse members have been blamed for the corona eruption in Gällivare?

- No, we do not at all think that our employees have become indebted. That's totally wrong. It's not like that. Then we all need to be helped and maintained social distance, both at work and out of work.

But couldn't you have set the repair stop during the corona pandemic?

- No, it goes no further than a single month. It's like any vehicle, you can postpone the service for a while, but if you do it for too long things start to crumble and break. When you come to the works, you have to stop them and do many more actions. You can't do it when it's hot, ”says Fredrik Björkenwall.

LKAB has written a summary of the measures taken before the rope stop in the mine. It will be published on the Group's website on Friday.

- We intend to come out with an explanation that gives a comprehensive overview of what has happened, because now everything has gone too far with all reporting, we think, says Fredrik Björkenwall.