UNISON has been able to secure compensation for a member who was injured after a simple health and safety procedure had been ignored.
The Nottingham school caretaker was injured when he fell from a stepladder at work, and has been awarded £25,000 compensation.
The man, who was 64 at the time of the accident, had to take medical retirement after suffering tendon damage to his neck and left shoulder.
He suffered the injuries in 2008, while attempting to tighten a bolt on a window at the primary school where he worked. It had been painted over and snapped when he tried to turn it using a spanner.
The man fell from his stepladder, hitting his head and shoulder on a desk. In spite of physiotherapy, he was never able to return to work.
UNISON instructed Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation, and investigations revealed that no inspection and repair system was in place at the school to ensure that windows were safe and worked correctly.
Nottinghamshire County Council did not dispute liability.
Helen Black, UNISON’s East Midlands regional secretary said: “This school has lost a loyal member of staff who was badly injured because an inspection programme had not been implemented.
“The government has redefined schools as ‘low-risk workplaces’, which sends completely the wrong message to those responsible for the health and safety of pupils and staff.”
Katrina Rowan from Thompsons Solicitors added: “Simple health and safety housekeeping avoids accidents and costs very little.
“We are constantly told that health and safety is a burden, but where is the burden in making sure that buildings are safe?
“This case shows just how badly things can go wrong if employers cut corners – and how.”