A TRADE union official has warned that Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s decision to install cameras on around 20 of its refuse vehicles is an “invasive measure” that will infringe on the privacy of the local authority’s employees as well as members of the public.

A spokeswoman for the Council confirmed this week that it had agreed to install the specialist ‘360 Vision Cameras’ on its bin lorries, adding that it was doing so “in the interest of health and safety”.

In a report presented to the Environmental Services Committee this month, it was stated that consideration had been given to the privacy of employees and management would only view the system if there was a “for cause” event.

The operating guidelines and procedure for the use of the cameras defines a “for cause” event as including an accident, damage caused to a vehicle, ‘spurious’ claims of an accident, ‘spurious’ claims of bins not being emptied or a complaint against the driver or crew by a member of the public.

However, the report to the Environmental Services Committee noted that the trade union side had registered their disagreement with the implementation of the cameras.

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter this week, Gareth Scott, who works for Unite the Union, claimed that Council workers would be tracked and filmed to an extent that the union considered “unreasonable”.

Mr. Scott said: “FODC intend to install 360 cameras on their refuse lorries. These cameras will video everything and everybody around the entire vehicle, thus the “360”.

“The constant filming from these cameras will infringe on the privacy of employees and members of the public. We do not believe that the objectives of the employer justify such an invasive measure, and, as such, we have registered our objection to this unnecessary and invasive installation.”

The union representative added: “This is yet another example of the Big Brother society that we are accelerating towards, where the government, companies and large organisations gather and process data about ordinary citizens just because they can and, in worst case scenarios, so that they can monitor and spy on people.”

In the report to the Environmental Services Committee, it was stated that the procedure for the use of the cameras had been devised “in the context of offering significant benefits” such as saving lives, reducing crashes and protecting crews when working in the public area.

The report further stated: “The Council recognises that the cost of accidents is too high and organisations have an important role under duty of care and Health and Safety law not to ignore the potential dangers that crews face and of not being able to see what is or who is around them.”

The Council spokeswoman said this week that a tendering process for the supply of the ‘360 Vision Cameras’ would be undertaken by the local authority in the near future.

“Provision for this tender has been made within the Council’s financial estimates,” she added.