BRADFORD-based Morrisons has agreed to pay damages of £18,000 after an agency worker was injured within hours of starting his first shift.

The 29-year-old worker was employed through a recruitment agency to work at the supermarket’s factory in Wakefield, starting his duties as a picker and stacker without having had any training or a work induction.

Tasked with placing empty baskets onto a conveyor which transported them to a higher level, he was injured when a number of them fell on him from about three metres above, hitting him in the face and left shoulder. He suffered injuries to his nose and front teeth, two of which were fractured and required emergency treatment.

The worker, who asked not to be named, said “This accident was quite nasty and it had a big impact on me and my confidence, particularly as my nose was damaged and of course it didn’t look pleasant with two damaged front teeth.”

Lauren Cartwright, a specialist in accident at work claims at Hudgell Solicitors, which handled the legal claim, said: “This incident had a substantial impact on our client as he was left in a lot of pain and discomfort for some time by the injuries caused. He needed dental surgery to extract a tooth and he was unable to sleep well for a long period. He also suffered psychologically due to the appearance of his teeth.

“In this case our client arrived at work and was met by another member of agency staff. He was shown to his overalls and taken straight to the factory floor.

“He was then directed by a manager at Morrisons to begin work before any induction or training was carried out. Within hours he had been injured and needed taking to hospital for assessment and a tooth extraction. The major injury was to his front teeth; he went to a dental practice the following day as he was unable to eat and was suffering from a really bad headache.”

The cost of dental work was covered as part of the legal claim.

Mrs Cartwright added: “It transpired that the only training our client had been given by the agency was a maths and English test, and Morrisons were aware of this.

“It is imperative that any business recruiting temporary or permanent staff through agencies ensure they are given appropriate inductions, training and support for the roles they are to undertake.”

Solicitors acting on behalf of Morrisons admitted full liability for this accident and the settlement ensured that the cost of future dental treatment was covered.

A Morrisons spokesperson said: “We sincerely apologise for this mistake and the injury and upset caused.”