Employees sound the alarm: The work environment threatens safety at the chemical company Nouryon in Örnsköldsvik

2023-06-07T15:29:04.335Z

Highlights: Fourteen people from inside the chemical company Nouryon testify to work environment problems, which they believe lead to safety deficiencies. Deficiencies that in turn are a threat to both employees and, in the worst case, residents in central Örnsköldsvik. "It has gone so far that the workers hardly want to do their job, because they are afraid for their safety and the safety of others," says one employee. The employees feel that safety is no longer a priority, that staff turnover is high and many are thinking about quitting.

Fourteen people from inside the chemical company Nouryon testify to work environment problems, which they believe lead to safety deficiencies. Deficiencies that in turn are a threat to both employees and, in the worst case, residents in central Örnsköldsvik. "It has gone so far that the workers hardly want to do their job, because they are afraid for their safety and the safety of others," says one employee.

SVT Västernorrland has interviewed people in various positions at Nouryon Functional Chemicals, which gives a unanimous picture that major work environment problems lead to safety deficiencies.

Nouryon is a so-called seveso plant that handles health and flammable chemicals, which can be life-threatening. In Örnsköldsvik, about 120 employees work in the industry.

The employees that SVT talked to feel that safety is no longer a priority, that staff turnover is high and many are thinking about quitting.

"Safety has steadily deteriorated and is now below acceptable levels for a chemical industry," one of the sources said.

SVT: Why haven't you sounded the alarm earlier?

– We have tried, most recently to the Swedish Work Environment Authority as the company does not listen internally. We are worried about all our colleagues as so many are suffering today, says another source to SVT.

Management is singled out as the problem

The safety deficiencies are partly about an unsafe workplace and partly about the fact that a serious accident could, in the worst case, affect nearby residents. The nearest building is about 400 meters from Domsjö factory area, where Nouryon is located.

According to the employees, the deterioration in safety is due to several factors: a culture of silence created by management, inexperienced staff and a stressful work situation.

SVT: You and the management are pointed out as the main problem. What do you think about that?

"I take it very seriously. It is part of what will be included in the work of analyzing the results (of a work environment survey sent out to the staff, editor's note) and will determine how we can improve, says Per Olofsson, site manager at Nouryon in Örnsköldsvik.

Today, SVT's investigation of Nouryon's operations in Örnsköldsvik starts. In the clip above, you hear the employees' stories about safety at the company.

Javascript is disabled

Javascript must be turned on to play video

Learn more about browser support

Hear the testimonies about the security deficiencies from inside Nouryon in Örnsköldsvik Photo: SVT/Peter Nässén

Source: svt

Employees sound the alarm: The work environment threatens safety at the chemical company Nouryon in Örnsköldsvik

Management is singled out as the problem

Javascript is disabled

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest