In a statement Evri said the depot had been launched during a peak business period in the run-up to Christmas.

“The safety of our people is a priority and following the opening of our brand new depot in Belfast, we welcome the support of HSENI during one of our busiest peak periods to date,” a spokesperson said.

“Our new site is part of a £1.3m investment in Northern Ireland, allowing us to expand our operations in the region, as well as creating more jobs for local people, and we continue to routinely work with public bodies, including HSENI, to ensure we deliver on the high standards we expect.”

The involvement of the HSENI was recently confirmed by Stormont’s economy minister Caoimhe Archibald.

“HSENI has been engaging and working with GMB Union representatives in relation to Evri distribution partners within the supply chain on a regular basis,” she said.

The Sinn Féin minister was responding to a written question submitted by the Ulster Unionist Party assembly member Diana Armstrong.