After fumes from cleaning chemicals caused him to pass out, fall and injure himself, a caretaker has been awarded personal injury compensation of £3,000.
When the incident occurred, Desmond Groom was working for Burrowes Street Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) Ltd. He had arrived at one of the premises managed by the organisation to start cleaning.
When he arrived, he saw a note telling him to use a substance in a non-descript bottle to clean the walls, ceilings and bathrooms of the building that had become covered in mould. The chemical turned out to be a fungicidal wash that Mr Groom had not received instructions on how to use safely, and had no idea how strong it was.
To clean, Mr Groom used the chemical but as he was coming down a step ladder, he was overcome by the fumes from the cleaning fluid and passed out. He fell onto a sink and suffered injury. He fractured ribs and suffered damage to his face. His injuries meant that he needed three months off work to recover.
He sought compensation from his employers, and now reports claim that personal injury compensation has been settled out of court. Mr Groom will reportedly receive £3,000 for his injuries