Injury news

Council workers could have made accident at work claims

A number of street sweepers in Scotland could have been making accident at work claims after a firework prank went horrifically wrong.

A depot worker in Seafield, West Lothian, was trying to scare colleagues with a firework when the device exploded in his hand.

It is believed the man was attempting to throw the firework under garage shutters in an attempt to frighten workmates but failed to let go of it in time.

The man was rushed to St John's Hospital in Livingston with severe burn injuries and a number of workers at the depot were sent home after being physically sick from witnessing the work accident.

A police spokesperson for Lothian and Borders said the man involved in the explosion suffered a serious hand injury and lost three fingers and a thumb.

One depot worker said, "It has been a big shock for everyone who saw it.

"There was a bit of horseplay going on between people pretending to set off fireworks but this was just awful.

"The fireworks were not the ones you could buy from the shops or anything; they were proper industrial-sized ones so I'm not surprised he was injured as badly as he was."

Fortunately, nobody else was injured in the workplace accident, which could have been dangerous for everyone at the depot and involved a number of accident at work claims being made.

A council spokesperson said, "There is a full investigation underway. It is of the utmost importance to the council that all employees are safe in their jobs at all times.

"We take all practical steps to reinforce good practice in workplace health and safety in every department."