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A hospital worker says he fears he will be sacked after a row which broke out when he demanded PPE.

The 57-year-old, who works for a private contractor, told Mirror Online he threatened to walk out after being told he couldn't wear a face mask.

Following the dispute which ensued, he said, he was told he faces disciplinary action for aggressive behaviour.

The man, who collects rubbish from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, South London, says he's terrified about contracting Covid-19 as he lives with his vulnerable brother.

He said: "I'm scared to go into work.

"I live with my brother who has a lung disease and asthma, and I'm afraid of bringing the disease home and killing him."

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(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Trade union the GMB has described the case as "simply staggering" and called for private firm ISS to provide staff with protective equipment.

The company denied that the employee's disciplinary procedure is linked to PPE, and says it provides appropriate equipment to staff.

The man, who has worked for the contractor for eight months, said the dispute escalated last week when he returned to work after suffering a chest infection - which is not believed to be coronavirus-related.

He claims he asked his company about providing a face mask, but was told he "didn't need one" because he works outside.

He also claims he was not allowed to bring in his own, despite being exposed to people with the deadly bug on a daily basis.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

"I was perfectly within my rights to bring it up," he said.

"I found out that a friend of mine, one of the porters, ended up catching it.

"They have a duty to keep their staff safe."

The company claims he became aggressive after being told he couldn't wear a mask - which he vehemently denies.

"I just turned around and said if you're not going to give me PPE I'll go home," he said.

"I was called back into the office and told they were starting disciplinary proceedings against me."

Despite this, he said he has not been suspended, and continues to work without a face mask outside the hospital.

The employee said: "I don't know what will happen to me, but I'm worried about other people.

"I work with someone with underlying health conditions and I use public transport to get in."

In a statement the GMB said the company has failed to provide any proof that the man was guilty of violent conduct.

GMB organiser Helen O'Connor said: “It is simply staggering that a complaint about a lack of PPE in hospitals can lead to a worker being disciplined.

“Now more than ever employers should be doing everything in their power to ensure that hospital staff don’t contract or transmit the virus.

“They should be taking all steps necessary to assist the NHS to retain the staff needed to keep the hospital safe during this pandemic."

She said the union supports workers who feel their health and safety is being put at risk.

And Ms O'Connor continued: “We will continue to campaign for all these outsourced services to be brought back in house for good as it is becoming increasingly clear that private companies are failing in their duty of care to their workforce, the patients and the public.”

In a statement ISS said: "ISS is following all Covid-19 guidelines as set by the government and working very closely with Public Health England and the NHS to ensure that our employees are protected and are as safe as possible.

"Our employees are provided with the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), in accordance with their role and in line with government guidelines.

"The investigation of the employee referred to is unrelated to Covid-19, or with regards to PPE."