Allergy to latex gloves results in injury compensation payout for trainee nurse

The nurse, who worked at the Scarborough General Hospital, developed the latex allergy from routinely wearing gloves as part of her job. Latex free gloves were not made available to her and the only type of gloves available to the staff on the wards was latex based.

She was told that if she was found using latex free gloves without prior permission from the Occupational Health department and her ward sister, this would be a punishable offence and she could face disciplinary action.

COMMENT:-

Employers must take the health and safety of their employees very seriously. If not and an employee develops an industrial disease or suffers an accident at work, then the employer could be liable to pay accident compensation to that employee.

In this type of situation, where gloves are worn frequently during the working day, the dangers of developing a latex allergy are well known. The solution was simple and all the employer had to do to avoid liability for the claim was to provide suitable work equipment, ie latex free gloves.

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Personal Injury Compensation Hinchliffes Solicitors