Construction union Ucatt yesterday announced it would be stepping up pressure on Crossrail and its contractor to improve safety following a damning leaked report into appalling working conditions.

The union said its members and representatives report that there is no visible improvement in safety and morale on Europe’s largest construction project since the document’s original publication last month.

The document, which was leaked over the weekend, revealed a “culture of spying and fear” with workers building the line between Reading and Heathrow in the west of London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east too afraid to report accidents or injuries in case they are laid off.

Ucatt regional secretary Jerry Swain said: “Employers need to understand that the perception of being victimised for reporting safety concerns is very serious, whether this is actually the reality or not.”

Mr Swain added that the union is seeking a meeting with contractor (Balfour Beatty Morgan Vinci) BBMV to clarify how consultation is undertaken with workers on safety.