Two hospital porters have returned to work after they were suspended for refusing to use “dangerous” equipment.

The two men were working at Watford General Hospital on behalf of Medirest - the company which provides food, cleaning and logistic services at the hospital – when they declined to use food trolleys which they described as “damaged and unsafe in a manner that could injure themselves and patients”.

READ MORE: Watford General Hospital staff suspended after refusing to use 'dangerous' equipment

Both men were suspended immediately, with a subsequent disciplinary inquiry held by the contractor concluding they had refused to work.

They were suspended for a total of five weeks but have now been reinstated to their former roles. All charges against them have been dropped by Medirest.

Safety fears were raised after one worker sustaining an ankle injury while using a trolley, with some colleagues saying they were concerned that the trolleys were being overloaded.

One worker said: “Pushing trolleys around a busy hospital when you cannot see over the loads is an accident waiting to happen.

“Also the trolleys’ sharp edges resulted in an ankle injury. We told our managers but eventually the GMB rep refused to work with the trolleys, and was suspended. Then another lad, who also refused, was suspended.”

Mick Dooley, GMB London organiser, said: "Both workers were potentially facing dismissal from their jobs. Their unwarranted suspension came before Christmas so the festive season was a little less festive in their homes this year.

“Their crime was to ask for a proper instruction before they used the equipment, and for that they are kept under a cloud for five weeks fearing the worst. Hospital workers were angered by what they saw as an attempt to intimidate them and stop them raising safety issues.

“The health and safety executive also visited Watford General and in no uncertain terms advised Medirest to ensure safe working practices.”

Compass Group UK, Medirest’s parent company, said it did not comment on individual cases.