Tragic deaths of two waste truck drivers who had tested positive for Covid spark concerns over safety of refuse workers in Milton Keynes

The move follows the sad deaths of two Serco workers last week who had both previously tested positive for Covid. Both of them were waste lorry drivers.

Workers have been shaken by the deaths and some have now called for a review of the council's waste contractors' Covid safety procedures.

A spokesperson for Serco issued a statement and said the men who had died had tested positive for Covid-19. The spokesperson insisted the depot was following government guidance and denied any allegations of breaches and said employees were not at risk.

But one worker, speaking to the Citizen, claimed: "We're all worried sick we'll catch Covid. There is hardly any social distancing at the depot and we have to ask for gloves and hand sanitiser - they're not given out."

There are also allegations that workers who have have been in contact with somebody carrying the virus are not self-isolating because they are too worried about losing pay.

"They're paid for the first two periods of self-isolating but not for any more. So people are going in to work when they shouldn't be because they can't afford to lose the money," the worker claimed.

The workers' concerns have today been reported to Councillor Emily Darlington, who is the Cabinet member public realm at MK Council.

She said: "We are urgently investigating these allegations, which are wholly unexpected. We take the safety of MK’s key workers very seriously and all our suppliers are expected to have proper plans and precautions in place to deliver essential council services safely during the pandemic.

"We are also rolling out testing for frontline key workers, including Serco employees, to help identify people who may be asymptomatic carriers of the virus and to break these chains of transmission."

Cllr Darlington added: "This is an awful virus with devastating consequences for some local people. My thoughts and condolences go to everyone who has lost a friend or loved one to Covid-19.

"We will get to the bottom of these circumstances."

Mark Sturgeon, senior contract manager for Serco, told the Citizen: “Sadly we have recently lost two of our colleagues on our Milton Keynes team to Covid-19. Our deepest condolences go out to their families and friends. Both colleagues worked as drivers on the contract but within separate teams. They will both be sorely missed by all who knew and worked with them."

He added: "I would like to reassure the local community that our first priority is the safety of all our employees. We are taking all appropriate measures in line with Government guidelines. In addition, our workplaces and activities are risk assessed and we carry our regular reviews to ensure the highest standards are maintained.”