Caretaker awarded compensationAn infant-school caretaker who suffered a hernia while lifting a heavy object at work has been awarded compensation by Wakefield Council.
Alan Thomas, 43, of South Kirkby, West Yorkshire, was forced to take two months off after having corrective surgery on the injury. He was advised by trade union Unison to seek compensation after suffering the hernia lifting a heavy room divider at Common Road Infant School in November 2007.
Wakefield Council admitted negligence and awarded Mr Thomas £3,471 in an out of court settlement.
Mr Thomas said: "Schools should take into account how difficult it is to lift heavy equipment and put measures in place to stop injuries.
"I am now back at work, but I will have to be careful with my health for the rest of my life."
Cliff Williams, Unison's Yorkshire and Humberside regional secretary, said: "It is only right that Mr Thomas receives compensation for the pain and discomfort that he has suffered. This accident could so easily have been prevented.
"Employers must stop these preventable injuries by carrying out risk assessments and training."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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