Lack of Efficient Communication in Workplace Leads to Accident
Anthony Lacey, an engineer at Camas UK Ltd., ended up with a thumb broken in two places in May 2007 after new work practices were introduced without informing the employees about it. A spokesperson of the employees’ union and a legal expert both claimed that the mishap occurred due to bad communication between the management and the workers.
Andy Worth, a member of the same union as Mr. Lacey, GMB, expressed his anguish at the fact that the change in practice was not communicated properly, and that the accident could have been easily avoided if that had been done.
A representative of Thompsons Solicitors, who represented Mr. Lacey in the matter, Ms. Laura Hadfield, also stated that it is the duty of every employer to make sure that the workplace is safe. This also includes informing the workers about any alteration in work procedures or about any thing else which could jeopardise their safety.
The accident occurred because the management had not informed the employees about the change in the practice of using glue around the pad in a face plate. Earlier, the glue was applied to the whole circumference, which required full strength to crowbar the pad off. The new practice was to put glue only at the top and the bottom. The victim used full strength as was needed under the earlier process and got hurt, as the magnet came out and fell on his thumb. The accident caused him to be out of work for three months.
Camas UK Ltd. decided to settle the matter out of court. It admitted its liability and paid damages to the tune of £6,000 for the accident.
Costly fines like these can be avoided by keeping your staff up-to-date with good health and safety training, such as the dse courses run by Workplace Law.
