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Workers at a French factory manufacturing toilet paper and other hygiene products are opposing plans to introduce Covid-19 “social distancing” alarms.

Managers say the devices, which beep, vibrate, flash or emit an alarm of up to 83 decibels if the wearer is less than 2 metres from a colleague, are being tested to protect workers’ health.

However, union representatives have accused bosses of “particularly intrusive behaviour … that infantilises workers” and say the system is “comparable to those that try to dissuade dogs from barking”.

“Are they treating staff like dogs?” the Confédération Française Démocratique du Travail (CFDT) union asked.

A spokesperson for Essity, a Swedish company producing soap, tissues and sanitary products, told AFP the alarms were being tested among 2,800 workers at its factory at Gien, in the Loire Valley.

Employees have been informed that the devices are for their own safety and will be automatically deactivated in the firm’s canteen as well as in lavatories and medical areas. The devices are not personalised and do not enable the company to track staff, the management said, but they can be used to identify those in contact with any staff member who tests positive for Covid-19.

The scheme is due to be discussed at a meeting at the factory next week.

Christine Duguet, a CFDT representative, said union officials did not believe the management’s assurances and claimed the devices were likely to end up in the same place as the firm’s products. “They’ll finish in the rubbish bins or stay in a cupboard. This is complete nonsense,” she said.

“As far as I’m concerned the raison d’être of these alarms is to keep an eye on the staff. Otherwise, how does it help knowing two workers crossed paths at less than 2 metres for x number of minutes?”