02/12/2010 - Work accident blinds man in one eye
A demolition firm has appeared in court after a serious workplace accident left an employee blind in one eye.
The 19- year-old man was working at a building on Ashton Road in Hyde, near Manchester when the incident took place. He was removing wooden floorboards prior to the demolition of the building, levering them out with a pickaxe when he was struck in the eye by a splinter.
An inspector from the Health and Safety Executive said the life changing accident could have been prevented had the man's employer supplied him with a pair of safety goggles, at a cost of just £5.
Dovestone Contractors Ltd of Ocean Village in Southampton admitted a breach of health and safety regulations and was fined £8,000. The firm was also ordered to pay £4,000 in costs.
The HSE inspector added that Dovestone's should have been well aware of the risk involved with removing floorboards in this way and was required by law to provide adequate eye protection.
The 19- year-old, from Bradford in West Yorkshire, is unable to resume his career in the demolition business, due to fears that a similar accident could leave him totally blind.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
Related links
|
