A Unite member from Bradford who suffered an acute back injury following an accident at work has secured more than £6,000 in compensation.
Employed as a maintenance engineer at Bradford hospital, the member worked from a plant room, which he could only access by climbing a set of ladders and through a small hatch. He would often need to carry tools up to the plant room.
At the time of his accident he had carried a heavy stilson tool to the plant room and suffered pain in his lower back.
He continued to work in discomfort but sought medical advice after he felt shooting pains in his back and into his hands. His doctor recommended that he take time off work to recover.
He contacted Unite Legal to investigate a claim for compensation on its member’s behalf.
The member said: “It is ridiculous that workers were expected to access the plant room through a small access hatch, let alone carry heavy tools at the same time.
“I’m very grateful to Unite Legal Services for their support throughout the legal process. I should never have suffered an injury because of my job but I’m glad I had the backing of my trade union to make sure I was compensated for my employer’s lack of consideration for my safety.”
Karen Reay, North East, Yorkshire and Humberside regional secretary at Unite the Union, said: “Since our member was injured at work a safe access to the plant room has been installed. While we’re pleased that maintenance workers will no longer be at risk because of an access not fit for use, it is a case of too little too late for our member.
“Management not only ignored complaints from staff about the access, it was also a clear breach of fire regulations and has caused an avoidable injury.”
