Repeatedly pushing a button caused serious injuries to security guard
A Melbourne University guard has claimed almost $60,000 in compensation — because she had to press a button underneath her desk.
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A university security guard has claimed that by repeatedly turning her head to monitor multiple computer screens and being forced to push a button “against gravity” left her with serious neck and arm injuries.
University of Melbourne concierge Eira Singh has so far claimed almost $60,000 in damages for medical bills, pain and suffering through work cover, claiming the university was negligent in making her turn her head and press the door release button an “unreasonable” number of times per day.
Between April 2011 and July 2015 Ms Singh was responsible for allowing staff and visitors to enter and exit the Raymond Priestly building at the Carlton campus by monitoring a doorway and pressing a button located underneath her desk.
As part of her job for Wilson Security, she was required to reach for the button, and push it palm up with “upward force (against gravity)” numerous times per day, court documents state.
Ms Singh claimed she sustained a prolapsed disc in her neck requiring surgery and numbness and pins and needles in her right shoulder from having to perform the movement so many times without adequate rest or breaks.
Victorian WorkCover Authority has launched indemnity action in the County Court of Victoria against the university to recover money paid in compensation to Ms Singh.
In a statement of claim, Ms Singh asserts the injuries caused by her job include; surgery to replace a prolapsed disc in her neck, production and/or aggravation of degenerative disc disease in her spine, and limitation of movement and loss of strength in her neck and right arm.
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She also suffered anxiety and depression, loss of concentration as well as pain and suffering.
Court documents allege the injuries were caused by negligence by the university in that they failed to provide a safe workplace by placing the door release button in a position which required her to reach for it; requiring her to repetitively turn and twist her neck, and over stretch her right arm an unreasonable number of times per day.
As of July this year, WorkCover has paid Ms Singh more than $57,100 compensation, including for weekly benefits, doctors bills and rehabilitation treatment.
Future payments of compensation may be required, the court writ states.
VWA is also seeking costs and interests.