Two hospital workers who refused to use a “dangerous” piece of equipment have been suspended by their employer.

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

Their fears came as a result of one of their colleagues being injured while using it. Health and safety regulation states it is lawful for workers to refuse to undertake work that could immediately harm themselves or others.

However Medirest suspended both men immediately and held a disciplinary inquiry which concluded that the men had refused to work.

GMB London, the union for staff in the health service, has vowed to defend the “humiliated” pair, one of whom is a GMB safety representative.

READ MORE: Protest against 'poverty wages' paid to Watford General Hospital workers

A Medirest spokesperson said: “Health and safety is our number one operational priority and we have robust policies and processes in place to ensure we maintain the high standards expected by both us and our client.

“We are always happy to talk to anyone who works within our teams and are keen to maintain an open dialogue with our people on issues that are important to them.”

Last month GMB protested against the “poverty wages” paid to some hospital staff by Medirest.

Around 50 cleaners and porters, most of them paid just 10p more than the £7.20 per hour minimum wage, stood on the picket line to show their dissatisfaction with their meagre wages.

However GMB London organiser Mick Dooley said their concerns fell on deaf ears.

“Unfortunately the NHS trust which controls the hospital has not taken any notice of this protest,” he said.

“We will continue to protest next month but, unless we have our concerns addressed, we will not rule out industrial action - a drastic step many of our members will be loath to consider.”