In October 2007, Sharon Kerry, who worked as a hostel duty officer with Leicester City Council, suffered a serious back injury while trying to access a safe in her office. This accident aggravated her previous back condition to such an extent that she is now considering the option of surgery to relieve her pain.

The office staff had repeatedly complained to the authorities about the position of the safe that was placed on the floor. One had to kneel down or bend to access the safe. However, the council had been neglecting the matter, which resulted in serious damage to Sharon’s back.

After the accident, Sharon contacted her union, the GMB, which advised her to pursue a case of compensation against the council through Thompsons Solicitors. Sharon was saved from a lot of trouble when the council accepted liability for her condition and agreed to pay a compensation of 10,250 pounds in an out of court settlement.

Laura Hadfield of Thompsons Solicitors said in this regard that back injuries are very painful and can occur in a number of ways. She pointed out that a simple risk assessment at the workplace could have easily highlighted the health and safety risks associated with the safe’s position.

Andy Worth from the GMB said the council had been highly irresponsible in ignoring health and safety concerns arising out of the safe’s position. He was of the opinion that the safe’s location should have been changed immediately after employees had complained about it.

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