November 4th, 2009
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has issued a warning to remind people to take care during Bonfire Night.
It urged those hosting bonfires and fireworks displays to think about the safety of their spectators.
Nicola Butters, RoSPA’s home safety development officer in Scotland, said: "In previous years, about 1,000 people across Britain have had to go to hospital because they’ve been injured by a firework during the four weeks around Bonfire Night.
"Nearly half of such injuries are sustained at family or private parties."
She added that only adults should be allowed to set off fireworks and people needed to factor in the possibility of wet and windy conditions.
In another accident-prevention tip, the RoSPA urged party organisers not to use petrol or paraffin to light bonfires, but to stick to fire lighters instead.
The Liverpool Echo has reported that police are to man a fire engine in the city on Bonfire Night in an attempt to cut down on anti-social behaviour related to the event.
Tags: 000 People, Accident Prevention, Adults, Bonfire Night, Fire Engine, Firework, Fireworks Displays, Home Safety, Light Bonfires, Lighters, Liverpool Echo, Prevention Tip, Previous Years, Private Parties, Rospa, Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents, Scotland, Social Behaviour, Spectators, Windy Conditions
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October 22nd, 2009
A man is seeking compensation following an accident which he says was caused by another road user.
Richard Tait, 62, had been riding his motorbike near Canning Town in October 2006 when he was hit by a car being driven by Olumuyiwa Ogunyode, the Essex Echo reports.
He badly hurt his shoulder, hip, groin and hamstring and fears he will never be able to work as an electrician again due to injuries limiting his movement.
Mr Tait claims that Mr Ogunyode was negligent because he pulled into a lane of traffic when it was unsafe to do so, did not indicate and did not check for vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists.
He has issued a High Court writ and it is thought that officials are now deciding how much compensation the victim should receive. Mr Tait is hoping to claim £250,000 for his lost earnings and suffering.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, there were 493 motorcycle deaths on Britain’s roads in 2008.
Tags: Canning Town, Earnings, Electrician, Essex, Fears, Groin, Motorbike Accident, Motorcycle Deaths, Motorcyclists, Prevention, Richard Tait, Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents, Suffering, Traffic, Vulnerable Road Users, Writ
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July 29th, 2009
The widow of a man who was killed in a cycling accident has been awarded £580,000 in compensation for her loss.
David Kersale, 44, had been cycling to work at Sharples School in Bolton in 2004 – where he was head of science – when he was hit from behind by a car.
The driver of the vehicle was diabetic and had gone into hypoglycaemic shock, losing control and ploughing into the cyclist.
Mr Kersale suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.
His widow Jacqueline took legal action against the unnamed driver of the car and his insurers have now agreed to the compensation payout.
"It means that my little girl will be financially secure for the future. The money will never bring David back, but at least I feel like we have some kind of future at last," she commented.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, over 16,000 cyclists are killed or injured on Britain’s roads every year, with three-quarters of accidents taking place at road junctions.
Tags: Bolton, Car Driver, Crash, Cycling, Cyclists, Fatal Injuries, Jacqueline, Little Girl, Losing Control, Money, Ploughing, Prevention, Road Junctions, Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents, Science, Shock, Three Quarters
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April 21st, 2009
A man who broke his thumb in two places has secured compensation from his employer.
Anthony Lacey, who worked at Camas UK in Leicestershire, was asked to replace some plating on a piece of machinery in May 2007.
However, he had not been informed that due to a change in company practice, the plating was no longer glued all around the edge. Consequently, when he tried to prise it off with a crowbar, it came off quickly and a magnet landed on his thumb.
It broke in two places and Mr Lacey was left in pain.
He took legal action against Camas UK, which has now admitted liability and agreed to a £6,000 out-of-court settlement.
The victim’s union representative Andy Worth said: "It is unacceptable that Mr Lacey was not forewarned about the new method. This accident could easily have been avoided with proper procedures to tell employees about new working practices."
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, more than 36 million days are lost due to work-related accidents and ill health every year.
Tags: Broken Thumb, Camas, Court Settlement, Crowbar, Damages, Ill Health, Leicestershire, Magnet, Million Days, Mr Lacey, Prevention, Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents, S Union, Union Representative, Working Practices
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March 24th, 2009
The owners of a pub in Banffshire are facing legal action after a number of patrons and employees suffered burns from new bulbs.
Manager Emma McLean had unwittingly replaced the lights behind the bar of the Pub in the Square in Buckie with ultraviolet bulbs more commonly used in tanning salons.
Some regulars and bar staff stood under the lights for several hours and needed treatment for sunstroke and burns. Morgan Smith sustained quite severe burns to his neck, which began to blister and peel.
"One barmaid said she couldn’t see. No one knew what was going on until the lights were checked," said one local source.
The bulbs are designed to only be used for a few minutes at a time.
Many of those affected are now said to be considering compensation claims.
Carl Christopher from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents told the Glasgow Daily Record that this incident highlights the importance of correctly replacing equipment in public places.
Tags: Banffshire, Bar Staff, Blister, Buckie, Bulbs, Cause Burns, Compensation Claims, Emma, Few Minutes, Glasgow Daily Record, Morgan Smith, Patrons, Prevention, Pub Owners, Regulars, Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents, Severe Burns, Sunstroke, Tanning Salons
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