Halifax worker left in constant pain after injury

Andrew Pickles, 52, said he was “not the same person he was before” he hurt his back while working at Halifax-based SIA Fibral Limited.

He was left with the long-term injury when a protective guard on a machine used to press abrasive materials jammed, and he attempted to lift the guard, which weighed approximately 80kg.

Mr Pickles was unable to work for 18 months after the incident and developed depression.

He said he and his colleagues had complained about using the machine, which should have been hydraulically operated due to its weight.

It had initially been replaced with an older model but, when that broke down, his employer returned to using the faulty machine press.

With the support of his union, Unite, he instructed Thompson Solicitors to make the compensation claim.

Mr Pickles said: “We were right [to complain] but it made no difference and I have suffered because of it.”