Surgeon's hand injured by glass door

A health and safety investigation has been launched at a super hospital in Scotland, following the severing of a tendon in a surgeon's hand.

The surgeon was closing a sliding glass door when it shattered, injuring his hand. According to staff inside the hospital, the surgeon will probably be off work for up to eight weeks, while some staff at the hospital have concerns that the surgeon's career could be destroyed by the injury.

The hospital, a £842 million project, opened in April this year and a number of problems have arisen. An official from Unison, a trade union for those working in public services, stated:

“Any new building, the board would say, has teething issues and we would support that view to a point. I know with the best will in the world, no job is ever perfect.”

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is conducting an investigation together with the contractor and manufacturer of the door, with a report having been sent to the Health and Safety Executive. The sliding doors are located in the admin building, which patients don't have access to. The doors are all being kept open until the enquiry has been completed.

Although employers have a duty of care to their workforce with the provision of PPE (personal protective equipment), this type of accident may still occur. The union representative stated that this type of incident could be costly for both the individual and the NHS.