n By Alan Jones


As if coping with floods, downpours and storms isn’t challenging enough, as the impact of climate change continues to grip the UK, working on contaminated land is a constant threat for many Unite members.


Thanks to agreements thrashed out between the union and employers, safeguards are in place to make sure sites are safe to build on.


But partnerships are usually with larger companies, especially on big projects employing hundreds or thousands of workers.


Safety standards in smaller firms can be “dodgy” according to one Unite official, with potential danger to short and long term health.


Exposure to chemicals or other hazards can lead to lung problems or burning skin, while the devastating impact on health of asbestos can take years or even decades to become known.


Unite health and safety adviser Rob Miguel believes the risk to health from working on contaminated land is minimal where national agreements are made with employers.


He told buildingWORKER that Unite has been heavily involved in making safety improvements over the years, coupled with legislation on health and safety and environmental protection.


“The risk is genuinely a lot less where we have discussions with employers, as was seen before the London Olympics and on other high profile developments, but it’s far more difficult for our members employed in a small company.”


Rob meets regularly with employers to discuss safety and sits on a construction industry advisory committee which aims to ensure good practice in sectors such as housebuilding.


The government has ambitious housebuilding plans, but Unite is acutely aware of the dangers of building on contaminated land, which can contain materials harmful to human health.


There are estimated to be thousands of toxic sites across the UK, leading to growing awareness about soil remediation and its impact on local communities.


Netflix’s 2025 drama Toxic Town told the true story of how a clean-up can go wrong, with toxic waste from the remediation of the former steelworks plant in Corby, causing birth defects to children born there in the 1990s.


Another true story was the tragic case of seven year old Zane Gbangbola, whose parents say was killed by gas from landfill when the River Thames flooded their home in Chertsey, Surrey, in 2014.


The incident led to a campaign for a new law named after Zane which would ensure that all potentially contaminated land is identified, made public, regularly inspected and properly cleaned up. It would mean local authorities would be given the funding, resources and powers to act.


A number of councils and mayors, including the mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, have pledged support for a new law, which could offer protection to workers as well as members of the public.


Land contamination comes from many sources, including former industrial areas such as gasworks, power stations, plants and railway lines, as well as active sources of chemical and industrial use like factories and petrol stations.


Dangers posed by contaminated land are fearsome and can include heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and chromium; asbestos, radioactive materials, hazardous chemicals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) all harmful to human health, which could lead to respiratory problems, cancers, neurological issues, cardiovascular risks, reproductive and developmental effects.


Delegates at last year’s TUC Congress agreed a motion describing the current UK regulations on toxic waste disposal from historic and currently approved landfill sites as “dangerously inadequate.”


The conference offered support for the introduction of Zane’s Law, with unions including Unite calling for a national register of contaminated land, which should be accessible to the general public.


But where Unite gets involved, workers are protected. Unite played a big role in a housing project to develop Battersea Power Station in London, which was carried out without any serious accidents.


27 unite buildingWORKER Spring 2026


Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “The amazing safety record at Battersea Power Station, in a sector which is the most dangerous in the UK, is testament to the dedication and vision of Unite’s shop stewards, safety reps and members.


“This development stands out as an example of what can be achieved when workers have a voice.


“Unite will continue campaigning to ensure developers and construction firms follow the exemplary standards set at Battersea Power Station.”


Unite regional officer, Declan Murphy was involved in negotiations with both the local council and the employer at Battersea Power Station. In his view the project is a beacon of what can be achieved and how workers can safely go about their jobs in confidence.


He said, “Over 12 years, Unite delivered well paid jobs, good conditions and a safe workplace for 4,000 union construction workers. What visitors can see when they visit the world-famous landmark, is what can be achieved by developers, construction firms and union organised construction workers working together with dignity and respect.”


It looks like only a matter of time before Zane’s Law will come into force – and its implementation will be a great help for Unite to identify toxic land and dangerous sites. But Unite is ever present, protecting construction members at work, every day of the year.


“An organised workforce in construction can really make the difference between life and death situations,” believes Unite national officer, Jason Poulter.


“The success everyone shared in at Battersea Power Station, didn’t just happen overnight. Unite had to work long and hard together with the landowners and the employer. This level of mutual respect meant our members were safe from harm and the project a total success.


“There’s power in a union as they say. It can overcome toxic land, dangerous sites, unseen hazards. That’s why every construction worker needs to join.”


Unite is certainly doing the groundwork for better protection for members against the perils of working on contaminated land.


Alamy


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