A Scottish teaching union has secured almost £300,000 in compensation settlements for members injured at work over the past year.
Three teachers received a combined £105,000 in damages after assaults by pupils, including one who was headbutted by a student, the EIS union said.
One teacher was awarded £55,000 after a pupil yelled obscenities and violently assaulted them.
Another received £20,000 after being grabbed by the hair by a student and repeatedly headbutted, forcing the teacher out of work while they recovered from concussion.
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The EIS said payments were awarded for a wide range of workplace injuries, including those caused by accidents, assault or poor working environments. The overall figure of £290,700 is up from just under £230,000 in 2018.
General secretary Larry Flanagan said: “It is cold comfort reporting on the amounts of injury compensation that the EIS has secured for its members over the course of the year.
“While the sums involved represent success for the EIS in pursuing appropriate compensation for injuries suffered at work, our desire is to eventually report a zero figure for compensation in the future owing to the elimination of these types of work-related injuries.”
Mr Flanagan added: “The most common cause of injuries remains ‘slips, trips and falls’. These types of incidents are entirely avoidable with correct adherence to appropriate health and safety procedures in the workplace.
“Schools, colleges and universities will never be entirely risk free but it is essential that all facilities are as safe as possible for learners and staff alike.”
Mr Flanagan also expressed concern about possible Brexit-related changes to health and safety legislation in the near future.
He said: “Many valuable workplace protections that we enjoy today are the result of EU legislation. The Westminster government has already indicated that, post-Brexit, they will be looking to roll back on some of the protections afforded to employees in the UK.
“This is a matter of huge concern, and we must do all that we can to resist financial concerns being put before the health and wellbeing of people at work.”
DETAILS OF THIS YEAR’S CLAIMS:
On leaving the classroom, the EIS member slipped and fell and sustained a serious injury. £141,500
Pupil started shouting obscenities then violently assaulted our member. Member sustained serious injuries as a result. £55,000
After an altercation with a pupil, member was assaulted causing injury and distress. £30,000
Pupil assaulted EIS member, pulling hair and headbutting repeatedly. Member was diagnosed with concussion and signed off work. £20,000
Member suffered an injury in the course of employment. £11,500
Member tripped over cables that ran from the computer equipment and fell heavily on to knee, suffering a fracture. £9,000
Member slipped on water that had been left lying on the floor, sustaining injuries to back, shoulder, elbow and hand. £9,000
Hot water from faulty kettle burned member’s hand as the water came gushing out and poured down leg. Member suffered a burn to the leg. £6,000
Member slipped on ice on uneven tarmac surface of the school car park. Member suffered a fractured wrist.£5,000
Member slipped on wet leaves and fell, suffering a sprained wrist, as well as neck and head injuries £3,000
Member displaying pupils’ work on the classroom wall fell. Lost consciousness and now suffers from episodes of disassociation, dizziness, coordination difficulties, headaches, blurred and double vision, and loss of concentration. £700
