CORONAVIRUS is a workplace disease and staff could sue their bosses for exposing them to it, a health and safety expert warns.
Professor Andrew Watterson, an expert in occupational health, says cases could be launched by employees who return to work and contract the virus.
If correct, the theory could have major implications for workers' rights and the economy.
The Stirling University expert claims decisions should have been taken "weeks ago" on what personal protective equipment is needed to keep staff safe at work in all settings, including those not linked to health or social care.
And he has hit out at what he says is a "catalogue" of "missed opportunities" by governments and agencies on the matter.
Writing in the specialist journal New Solutions, he accuses employers of failing to "plan for the pandemic and to equip staff with the necessary health and safety equipment and procedures to protect themselves and the public from Covid-19".
He states: "In contrast, UK trade unions and non-governmental organisations issued early warnings of a pandemic – and offered important guidance on solutions to mitigate its impact on workers and, hence, wider society.”
Watterson claims employees and their families may not have the Covid-19 link recognised or compensated – and this could then trigger civil court action.
He argues that more evidence and clarity is required on exactly how public health testing and tracing measures will protect workers – especially when untested workers may be asymptomatic.
Watterson states: "Employers have a duty to report occupational diseases.
"However, Covid-19 is not yet classified as an occupational disease under the Prescribed Industrial Diseases scheme, which would generate workers’ compensation.
"Under current legislation, incidents where a worker is exposed, or possibly exposed, to Covid-19 is reported to the Health and Safety Executive under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013.
“There are concerns that occupational Covid-19 cases will not be reported, and those that are may not be fully investigated, recognised or compensated for.
“At a later date, there could be civil actions in the courts by employees who contracted the virus at work, or by their families, if fatalities occurred.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel