Sick pay for accident

jazzypinkpuppet

Hi, I just wanted some advice regarding an accident I had at work yesterday. I was lifting a tub to put onto wheels and my back just 'went'. This is something we do frequently throughout the day, there was nothing wrong with the equipment or any blame involved.
I can't walk or stand at the moment, I have been to doctors and have medication he said it could be weeks before I can walk without pain.
I work 24 hrs a week. My company as a rule doesn't pay sick pay but someone said there is a government pay or something.
I have never had a day off sick in over ten years so really don't know what I have to do.
Any advice would be great -Thanks

jacques_chirac

Your employer should pay you SSP after three waiting days - even if on minimum wage your pay would be sufficient for you to qualify.

ohreally

jazzypinkpuppet wrote: »

I was lifting a tub to put onto wheels and my back just 'went'.

This is something we do frequently throughout the day

What does the tub weigh?

Has the task been risk assesed? Have control measures been identified?

jazzypinkpuppet

ohreally wrote: »

What does the tub weigh?

Has the task been risk assesed? Have control measures been identified?

oh crikey, no idea of risk assessments I would imagine so it is a big company with many stores (retail). I have had manual handling training and was lifting correctly. Luckily my manager was behind me and saw me do it. I was lifting the tub with another lady, it wasn't that heavy no more than about 5kg.

paulwellerfan

you was lucky to get a doctors appointment so quick...
where i live its about a weeks wait.

jazzypinkpuppet

oh wow that's not good. Our doctors only book 25% of apppointments, it is more of a walk in and wait place. usually a long wait although I was lucky yesterday only twenty mins :j

dickydonkin

jazzypinkpuppet wrote: »

oh crikey, no idea of risk assessments I would imagine so it is a big company with many stores (retail).

As I alluded to in another thread, don't assume that a large (even multi-national) company have their H&S issues in order.

The major purpose of a risk assessment is to identify the risks and establish a safe system of work to reduce the risk of harm. If any assessment has been carried out, they should be made available to everyone who may be affected and staff informed that they actually exist.

Many companies believe that they are legally compliant by assessing a task/process, record the findings in a folder and leave it on a shelf gathering dust for years.

There is no point in identifying risks if these are not conveyed to those that could be exposed.

As for manual handling training, I prefer site/task specific training.

Having some 'trainer' showing a room full of people how to lift an empty cardboard box correctly is fine for those who lift empty cardboard boxes all day!

Many people have to carry unwieldy, bulky items and I prefer to focus on what the actual task involves and determine the safest method in handling - also considering the loads, environment and the individuals concerned.