DUNFERMLINE energy firm Technip FMC has confirmed a worker at their Pitreavie site has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus – sparking concerns from colleagues who are still working.

One staff member, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the Press this week: "Nobody feels safe, people are terrified.

"They are putting profits before safety and wilfully endangering their staff and their families."

Worried staff from Rosyth companies Oceaneering and Babcock, who also wanted to remain anonymous for fear of losing their jobs, have also contacted the Press this week to say work they are being asked to do is not essential.

Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville said she had received many calls from people worried their workplace wasn't following lockdown guidance, and warned: "This is not a drill – this advice will save lives."

Meanwhile, the Press understands that an employee of Asda Halbeath has also tested positive for COVID-19.

"Most people are disgusted that we are still working," the TechnipFMC employee added.

"Stopping production for a few weeks is not going to make a dent in their profits.

"One colleague that has tested positive was at the site all week before going off ill.

"It's impossible to adhere to social distancing – one person is only allowed in an area but it will take a few people to do a job.

"There are even queues for the toilets and workers are coming on to the site from outside the company.

"It is not essential work that we do – our customers order years in advance for our products.

A worker from Oceaneering, who again wanted to remain anonymous, told us: "There is nothing essential about the production of subsea umbilicals and hardware, yet Oceaneering in Rosyth are refusing to shut down production on the manufacturing side of business.

"Manufacturing staff are still at work and expected to remain doing so as normal, this in spite of the advice and instruction given by the First Minister.

"The only reason that the staff can come up with for this is that profits are more important than the welfare and lives of the staff and their families. All production staff are raising their fears and concerns but no answers are being given."

The family member of a worker at Babcock told us: "Babcock International are placing large numbers of workers in danger by continuing to keep Rosyth dockyard open during the pandemic.

"Clerical and admin staff were sent home weeks ago but the guys working on the tools plus supervisors and some managers are being told they have to carry on as normal.

"When people are dying in their thousands how can working on containers for nuclear waste or missile tubes be classed as essential?

"Surely deadlines can be pushed back a month or two if it means saving lives or do these workers' lives simply not matter?"

Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "I understand this is a tough time and I'm grateful to the majority of companies who are supporting homeworking and have allowed staff time off for isolation.

"The Scottish Government advise that all businesses should now be closed unless they are essential to Scotland's health and welfare, they support vital services or, are capable of working while fully adhering to social distancing advice.

"However, my office has received many calls from people who are worried their workplace isn't following this guidance.

"This is unacceptable and workers should not be placed under this sort of unnecessary pressure.

"Employers must act responsibly in order to protect public health.

“I have been writing to firms to remind them of their responsibilities and asking them to ensure they’re following the latest Scottish Government guidance.

"This is not a drill – this advice will save lives"

A TechnipFMC spokesperson said: "The health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and partners is of paramount importance in all we do and we are approaching the outbreak of COVID-19 with the same priority and rigour."

They confirmed that the colleague who tested positive is in self-isolation at home as well those in close proximity to them and the relevant work areas had been deep-cleaned.

An Oceaneering spokesperson said: "The safety and welfare of Oceaneering employees is paramount. We have worked and continue to work diligently to address the evolving COVID-19 situation.

"We consider that we fit into the Energy CNI sector and that the services we provide, in particular the services provided from Rosyth, are 'essential services'.

"We, therefore, continue to operate as an identified essential business providing essential services in the energy sector. However, we have modified our practices to ensure that operations at the site are carried out in accordance with the latest health and safety guidance issued by the Scottish Government."

Babcock also said they had been working closely with the UK Government to confirm its requirement for ongoing support on the critical defence programmes required to sustain the safety and security of the country during the current COVID-19 crisis.

The added: "The work we do is critically important and underpins the safety and security of the UK population.”

Asda would not comment on the health of staff members.

A spokesperson said: "Should one of our colleagues feel any symptoms of coronavirus, we are asking them to self-isolate and are supporting them in doing so by providing full pay. Our customers can rest assured that we are following all government advice on ensuring our stores are safe and hygienic for our customers.”

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper every week.

Trusted news has never been so important, and neither has your support.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you to help us provide you with trusted news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

We’re out each week even if you can’t be and so you can also have a replica e-edition of the Press on your PC, phone or tablet ready to read whenever you want. Just click the ‘E-Edition’ tab under the Press masthead on the homepage of this website.

Thank you,

Simon Harris, Editor