Sodexo has a team of 180 cleaners at Northvolt. They clean, among other areas, the production facilities.
As previously reported by Norran, concerns have been raised by staff and unions regarding the work environment at the Northvolt site. We spoke with employees who work in cleaning for Sodexo, a company responsible for cleaning areas within the Northvolt production facilities.
Sodexo employs 180 individuals at Northvolt. One of the two men who tragically passed away at home in the winter after finishing his shift was a Sodexo employee. According to the autopsy report, he was previously in good health and died unexpectedly in his sleep. The cause of death remains undetermined.
– Following this incident, Sodexo staff suspected the death might be linked to a specific chemical used in the cleaning process, explains an employee who wishes to remain anonymous.
–This understandably caused fear among many employees. Unfortunately, no explanation has yet been provided regarding the cause of death.
The police have closed the case due to no suspicion of foul play. Currently, there's no evidence to suggest the death is work-related.
However, just twelve days after being notified of the death, Sodexo implemented changes regarding a cleaning agent called isopropyl alcohol (IPA). This decision followed a suspension of use imposed by the union due to the improper use of IPA, which posed a significant fire hazard. As a result, the use of IPA in floor scrubbers was discontinued.
– The deceased employee worked the evening shift operating a scrubber filled with IPA at the time, revealed a colleague to Norran.
This incident, coupled with poor communication, understandably triggered concern among the employees.
– They removed the machines containing IPA without explanation, the source said.
– It was only then that I realized the seriousness of the chemicals we were working with.
Another source from the production area confirms that workers encounter a variety of chemicals. IPA is also used by production staff for cleaning machinery.
– Exposure to this substance can cause dizziness quite quickly. Prolonged exposure feels similar to sniffing the substance. If you experience dizziness, you should immediately leave the area and get fresh air, explained the source.
Mikael Stenmark, chief safety representative at Northvolt, reports that staff have experienced headaches after using the cleaning agent, isopropyl alcohol (IPA).
Mikael Stenmark, the safety representative, explains that they suspended use of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in January due to its improper use in cleaning machines. The suspension remains in effect.
In the past two weeks, they've been testing replacements for IPA due to its negative health effects on cleaning staff and production personnel.
– I've received complaints about this, says Stenmark.
– Headaches shouldn't be part of the job.
The suspension of use also aims to eliminate the fire risk associated with improper IPA use.
IPA facts
- PA is also known as isopropanol or rubbing alcohol.
- It is a common solvent and degreaser.
- IPA should be used in a well-ventilated area and with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- If you experience any of the listed side-effects after exposure to IPA, seek medical attention immediately.
Source: Giftinformationscentralen/ILO
Eva Kristensson, communications manager at Sodexo, clarifies that while team leaders don't have direct responsibility for the work environment, they do receive internal training on both work environment and safety protocols. Managers, on the other hand, undergo dedicated work environment training, followed by the allocation of specific work environment-related tasks.
Norran requested an interview with Sodexo but communication manager, Eva Kristensson, opted to respond to our questions solely via email, limiting the opportunity for further clarification.
In her response, Kristensson acknowledges IPA's long history of use and the existence of established safety guidelines for exposure. However, she downplays the reported concerns among employees.
"We recently held meetings with employees and their supervisors to gather feedback, she explains. "These meetings did not reveal widespread concerns. If any concerns exist, we regret them. According to our information, using the recommended protective equipment ensures safety."
What do you think about employee concerns about a potential link between the work environment and a recent, unexplained death?
"We understand it's unsettling if rumors circulate among Sodexo staff. The employees we spoke with haven't expressed such a connection. The police have closed the initial investigation, and based on the information we have, it wasn't work-related. To our knowledge, no connection to the workplace has been established."
"I only had an induction once, and it was in Swedish, and some time after I started. A colleague had to translate it for me," says one of the cleaners who spoke to Norran.
Employees who spoke to Norran raised concerns beyond just chemical safety at Sodexo. One source highlighted a general lack of clarity regarding proper protocols for protective equipment, introductions for new hires, and safety procedures in different areas. This lack of clear communication was further amplified by language barriers, according to the source.
– Everyone working on the production floor seems to be a newcomer worker, they said.
– Only upper management appears to be Swedish. Our immediate supervisors don't speak our language, and they often dismiss our concerns.
This lack of communication extended to training on hazardous materials. The same source revealed they were unaware of the specific chemicals present in different areas and the associated risks. They also hadn't received any formal introduction to safety protocols or proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
– We weren't given any information about the chemicals we might encounter or the potential hazards, the source explained.
– My colleagues showed me the ropes. It also took months for me to receive a proper respirator. Before that, I was using a regular surgical mask in most areas, except for the most dangerous ones where we had gas masks.
Sodexo, the cleaning contractor at Northvolt, announced a protective shutdown and issued a warning to cleaners via chat. However, several sources have told Norran that they observed cleaners working with only face masks, as seen in the picture, in areas where gas masks are mandatory.
Production personnel at Northvolt have raised concerns about cleaning staff rarely using gas masks in designated areas. They report seeing cleaners primarily using regular face masks in these environments.
–I've asked them why they don't wear gas masks, and they claim there aren't any available, says a source with knowledge of production.
– Sodexo, the cleaning contractor, should definitely provide them.
Kristensson, Sodexo's communication manager, assures us there are ample full and half-mask respirators available for use. These masks come equipped with filters designed to capture both gas and particles.
However, Kristensson acknowledges the challenge of extended mask use due to the physical strain it can cause, especially in dry environments. She clarifies that all personnel working with IPA are issued their own full masks, with supplied air respirators available in specific situations.
Sodexo prioritizes safety measures. Kristensson details their commitment to workplace safety. Weekly safety checks are conducted in employee work areas. Managers receive training in risk assessment, and employees in designated areas get specialized training on proper use of protective equipment. She emphasizes their ongoing risk assessments conducted "across all environments."
"Our top priority is ensuring the best possible protection for our employees, regardless of their work environment," she states.
However, concerns linger from staff in other departments. They continue to report witnessing Sodexo staff using only basic face masks while cleaning areas mandated for full or half-mask use.
In response to these concerns, Kristensson acknowledges the difficulty of addressing them without specific details about the environment, the individuals involved, or the exact actions taking place. She reiterates that Sodexo adheres to the clear guidelines set forth by Northvolt and that their employees receive both visual and verbal instructions regarding proper protective equipment.
Additionally, supervisors are tasked with ensuring adherence to safe work practices.
Finally, Kristensson clarifies the use of regular face masks. These are used in specific situations during "routine cleaning" activities such as mopping, vacuuming, and even with floor scrubbers in some cases.
Both Northvolt employees and Sodexo cleaning staff have reported experiencing discomfort after using IPA.
Another source who spoke to Norran, a long-time cleaner with Sodexo, voiced concerns about the quality and clarity of their training. These concerns directly impacted their ability to work safely.
–Training itself posed challenges. Imagine trying to learn proper cleaning procedures while wearing a face mask in a loud production area filled with running machinery.
The source also highlighted the additional difficulty of understanding team leaders who might have strong accents, creating a significant barrier to clear communication.
– I wasn't sure about all the cleaning rules, the source admitted.
– And I wasn't sure what safety measures were needed in different situations.
This uncertainty was compounded by inconsistencies in safety protocols. The source described instances where cleaners entered areas with just face masks, while Northvolt employees wore full masks.
– It made us wonder if the safety rules were the same for everyone, they said.
Communication gaps emerged as another concern. The source described situations where cleaners entered and quickly started cleaning rooms without knowing what processes had just taken place. They felt a lack of clear communication from Northvolt regarding potential hazards, leaving them unsure of the risks they might be facing.
– We never knew what the Northvolt employees were doing before we arrived. Sometimes the rooms were empty, and so there was no one to ask what we needed to do, the source explained.
The unreliability of safety signage added to the cleaners' anxieties. Colored cards were used outside rooms to indicate whether entry was safe, but the source reported instances where these cards weren't updated.
– Sometimes they forget to change the cards, so we are never sure if it's safe to actually be in the room, the source said. This lack of clarity created confusion and uncertainty about safety.
Finally, the cleaner revealed that there was inadequate training on the specific chemicals encountered during cleaning and the associated risks they pose.
– I didn't understand what I was working with or how dangerous the substances could be, the cleaner concluded.
A chat log between supervisors and cleaners reveals confusion about when cleaners could enter a room and what protective measures were necessary.
Matti Kataja, responsible for communication and community relations in the Nordic region at Northvolt, addresses the cleaners' concerns and uncertainties in an email.
Signs, he writes, are just one of several tools they use for internal communication.
"We also have ongoing check-ins about the work with the companies operating in the area," Kataja adds. "We continuously work to improve our internal communication."
Norran then asks Eva Kristensson, Sodexo's communication manager, how she responds to the criticism.
How do you ensure that every person understands safety procedures and uses protective equipment, considering not everyone speaks English or Swedish?
Kristensson explains their approach: "We allocate sufficient time during meetings and training because we need to inform in multiple languages. In every team, there's at least one person who can interpret. Several team leaders are multilingual and can speak more than just Swedish and English. We've also put up educational images on the walls reminding workers which protective equipment to wear. Our employees work in pairs or groups of three, helping each other keep track of procedures."
She clarifies their hiring policy regarding language: "Unlike Northvolt, we don't have the same English language requirement, because we don't want to exclude those who can't speak English. Meetings are conducted in Swedish and English, with translation into other languages via apps if necessary."
How do you ensure everyone understands?
"We repeat key points and encourage everyone to ask questions if anything is unclear," Kristensson replies.
Isn't that a lot of responsibility placed on co-workers?
"It's common practice in many workplaces for experienced staff to train new hires," Kristensson says. "Those who train are professionals in their tasks. Regarding interpretating, we believe it's positive to help include others who share the same language or background."
Regarding reports of team leaders dismissing employee concerns, Kristensson states, "It's unfortunate that some perceive their concerns as not being taken seriously by team leaders."
Mirroring Northvolt's actions, Sodexo has also informed cleaners about Norran's inquiries. They assure staff they can contact managers with concerns, questions about further Norran articles, or general safety issues. The manager who signed the message also offered to be the point of contact for media inquiries.
Norran wants to assure its readers that Swedish media offer source protection to individuals who wish to share information. This means that you can leave tips anonymously, and we do not reveal your identity.
Finally, according to a source in production, the cleaners have started using gas masks since Norran "started digging into the matter".
Any information? Email us on granskning@norran.se