Many workplace accidents could be avoided if employers fulfilled their legal duty to ensure the safety of their employees.
 
A mill worker whose right hand was crushed has been awarded a five-figure sum in compensation following an accident that could have been prevented had the correct health and safety procedures been followed.
 
Parlvin Moyo, 37, worked as a machine operative cutting metal components. In 2004, he was removing a milled component from the machine when his glove became caught in a rotary cutter and grinder. His right hand was pulled inside the machine and was severely crushed.
 
Following the accident, Mr Moyo had to have his index and middle fingers amputated as they were too badly damaged to be saved. He underwent six months of physiotherapy and was unable to return to work of any kind for 11 months.
 
Unfortunately, because of his injury Mr Moyo could not return to his previous job. He took temporary office jobs, in order to support his family, before returning to education to retrain as an accountant.
 
Mr Moyo's employers had failed to provide training on the correct use of the machine and had also failed to ensure that an adequate safety guard was fitted.
 
Employers have a duty to provide training in the safe use of workplace equipment and to put in place the correct health and safety procedures to reduce the risks of accidents occurring at work. If they fail in this duty, a compensation claim may be warranted if an employee is injured as a result.