Unions have raised fresh food safety and hygiene concerns at the Kidston pumped hydro project’s construction work camp, where members have withdrawn their labour.

Electrical Trades Union state organiser Robert Hill said the situation had become intolerable after workers yesterday reported being served up unacceptable food such as cucumbers and fruit with mould and rice and eggs with insects.

He said also that some rooms had not been made up between guests, leaving toilets in a filthy state.

This came after workers were told on Wednesday that a food audit showed there was no imminent risk to safety, he said.

“Our members have a different point of view and have withdrawn their labor on the grounds of safety and the psychosocial harm that it’s causing them to be exposed to that out there,” Mr Hill said.

This came on the back of concerns raised about a pre-packed crib meal at the weekend, with the union sharing photos of larvae in the food.

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Genex Power chief operations officer Arran McGhie said the health, safety and wellbeing of every person working on the project continued to be the company’s highest priority and it was taking this matter very seriously.

“The camp operator immediately commenced an investigation (after the weekend incident) and Genex is still currently awaiting the outcome,” he said.

“No persons have presented to the site nurse with gastrointestinal illness or symptoms related to this event since this event was reported.”

He said he could confirm that Genex was taking additional steps following ongoing alleged complaints.

“This includes the camp operator undertaking a corporate-led internal audit. In addition, Genex has organised an independent third-party audit that will be undertaken early next week,” he said.

“This due diligence is to ensure there is a thorough investigation into all aspects of food safety at the site.

“Genex will follow all recommendations from the investigation, the camp operator corporate audit, and third-party independent audit once completed.”

Mr Hill accused Genex of putting its head firmly in the sand since these issues started arising at the remote North Queensland site about 18 months ago.

He said the site’s kitchen was run by Genex arm ISS and he understood it transported fresh produce in from Western Australia.

“ISS has a bare-bones minimum amount of cleaners. I understand the John Holland-McConnell Dowell joint venture (principal contractors) employed extra cleaners for a period of time to keep on top of the demand,” he said.

“But I understand also that they were let go before Christmas, which has meant that the standards have slipped backwards since then.”

He said the workforce accommodation at Kidston was a 400-person camp, with 150 to 200 people on site at any one time.

Members of the ETU, Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union, and the Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union were involved in the stop-work action, he said.