A DELIVERY company in Worcester has denied a whistleblower's claim that staff are being put at risk during the coronavirus pandemic.

Arrow XL, based in Blackpole Road, said a wide range of measures have been put in place to keep all employees as safe as possible.

A whistleblower told the Worcester News: “Arrow XL are not sticking to the two metre social distancing guidelines in the warehouse. All workers are still having to use the same small canteen and delivery men are still having to go out in twos to deliver products. The products that are being delivered are not essential items – they are taking out things like lazy spas,barbecues and bedroom furniture.

“It’s a complete joke that the staff are having to put their lives at risk like this.”

But an Arrow XL spokesman vehemently denied the accusations.

The spokesman said: “The government has clearly stated that home delivery is vitally important to the coronavirus response and as a result our people are deemed to be key workers providing an essential service.

“We are extremely proud of our teams who are helping to ensure that deliveries are made every day, including to the most vulnerable in society.

“Home delivery enables those in self-isolation to order the items they need and helps support the government drive to keep people at home.

“We are doing everything we can to help ensure the safety of our people at all our sites and are following all government guidelines. All of our depots have hand sanitiser and wipes available throughout.

“At Worcester we have introduced practices in the warehouse and the canteen to enable social distancing of two metres. All staff are wearing issued hand protection PPE and required to wash and dry their hands as frequently as possible. There is also a robust and regular cleaning regime.

“Other measures include, staggered break times, staggered start/finish times, home working for everyone who can and all colleagues with underlying health conditions have been protected.

“We have also introduced a number of changes to our services. For example, we are longer delivering into homes and orders are now delivered to the doorstep or a nominated safe place instead.

“Our crews will advise customers to remain at a two metre distance and there will be no signature needed. Our vehicles are also being cleaned and sanitised every night.”

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