Injury at work!

somethingcorporate

What were the chemicals?

dickydonkin

gunman786 wrote: »

i work for an agency for this big company

OH.........

However, only recently an agency got a hefty fine when one of their 'employees' suffered serious injury even though he was injured on the clients premises.

OP - Based on your post, you potentially have a valid claim.

Having undertaken many (far too many) accident reports, determining their immediate and underlying causation and implementing remedial actions, there seems to be basic training issues here.

I have also had to provide documentation (risk assessments/safe systems of work etc.) and reports for injury claims and DWP.

Unfortunately, situations like yours are not uncommon with agency workers deployed to a company.

It is a fact that the many workplace accidents involve young people, agency workers and people employed in their first few months in a new workplace. You certainly fill 2 of those criteria.

It is up to you how you proceed.

I certainly believe you have a claim - whether you wish to pursue it and potentially risk your job is another matter.

Keep your evidence - if they do get arsy and deem you surplus to requirements - you still have three years to submit a claim anyway.

dickydonkin

lucylucky wrote: »

It is possible that the area that was being working on had warning signs to advise of same.

Perhaps because of the sequence of accidents the OP ignored them in a noble attempt to assist.

The OP can clarify.

EDIT - and did before I posted!

Warning signs are important - but are way down the line of the hierarchy of risk control and signage alone is not really a defence in this situation.

gunman786

i didn't ask and also haven't been told what the chemical was, just told by a first aider that it was a corrosive substance for having our skins damaged the way it did.

dickydonkin

gunman786 wrote: »

i didn't ask and also haven't been told what the chemical was, just told by a first aider that it was a corrosive substance for having our skins damaged the way it did.

gunman - Again, if your symptoms persist, get the label from the product (or material data sheet) and take it to your doctors. Your health is priority here.

You may become sensitised to the product which can cause persistent problems.

gunman786

dpassmore wrote: »

gunman - Again, if your symptoms persist, get the label from the product (or material data sheet) and take it to your doctors. Your health is priority here.

You may become sensitised to the product which can cause persistent problems.

i couldn't agree more, i knew that i should go and clean my myself after the fall and did with that mentality in mind.

I cleaned myself quite soon after the fall, rubbing liquid and water on the affected areas and then changed in some new overralls, something not done by the other two colleagues in a reasonable space of time.

At home i cleansed myself again and also rubbed vaseline on affected area which im not too sure done any good as im guessing this may have have made the wound become more sticky onto my garments taking away more skin.

lucylucky

dpassmore wrote: »

Warning signs are important - but are way down the line of the hierarchy of risk control and signage alone is not really a defence in this situation.

I wasn't suggesting that they were an adequate measure I was interested to know if there were any.

They may have formed part of a RA.

(from what has been said I doubt it though)

dickydonkin

lucylucky wrote: »

I wasn't suggesting that they were an adequate measure I was interested to know if there were any.

They may have formed part of a RA.

(from what has been said I doubt it though)

I apologise if my response to your post seemed terse.

Yes, you are correct - signage should have formed part of the control measures and I also believe you are right in suggesting that none were in place or indeed any risk assessments for the chemicals and task.

It is a difficult choice the OP has to make due to the fact that due to his employment status, the agency's client may just 'dispose of his services' should a claim be submitted.

In these difficult times, I suspect many employees around the country will be reluctant to report accidents or injuries in case they jeopordise their employment.

The problem then is that any dangerous situation, task or machine that poses a threat of harm will never be rectified if it is not reported.

Sadly it is only when something goes really belly up when something is done - usually to the detriment of the worker - although the company will be hit in the pocket through the courts and adverse publicity - which is scant consolation to the employer who has lost an arm - or worse - his life.

Caroline_a

Scanning through this I can see no sign of this being entered in an Accident Book. If a worker, be they casual, temporary or permanent suffer any injury in the workplace, this should be put in the Accident Book, and if the worker is off for more than 3 days or requires hospital treatment then it should be reported as per this link http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/

I wouldn't fuss too much about claiming compensation yet - it takes forever to happen, but I would keep records of everything that is affected by the injury, so for example, if any of your clothing was ruined, or you couldnt attend an important event (wedding, etc) because you didnt feel well enough. Also make sure that you have photographs etc. I claimed when I broke my leg at work, but as I had to have 2 operations on it and 12 months of physio, it was a long time before I actually put the claim in. They admitted liability straight away but it was still 4 years with all the to-ing and fro-ing, seeing independent consultants etc, before I had any money, so don't expect anything very soon!

I hope you feel better soon!

Edit: Sorry, read too quickly, I see it did go into the accident book!

covlass

A risk assessment should be in place when using a corrosive product along with a COSHH sheet. A valid risk assesment for slip, trips and floor including what the policy is during routine maintenance ie floor cleaning, SHOULD BE IN PLACE. You should be aware of the company policy for accidents, and location of accident book. If the injury causes a 3 day leave from work then you should also be aware of what to do under RIDDOR

Re person using the chemical were they compliant with the need for correct PPE needed whilst using it ?