Health ministry to pay electrocuted cleaner N$300 000
Hospital staff blamed for incident
The state continues to bleed money over its own negligence and neglect, costing taxpayers heavily.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has agreed to pay N$300,000 in compensation to Hausiku Alfons Hausiku, a cleaner at Nankudu District Hospital in the Kavango West Region, following an electrocution incident at his workplace in March 2024. Hausiku, represented by lawyer Bernhard Tjatjara, initiated legal proceedings in the Windhoek High Court in July 2024, alleging negligence by the ministry and hospital staff.
On 15 March 2024, Hausiku was tasked with assisting in offloading fuel from a truck at the hospital. While measuring fuel levels using a dipping stick, the stick came into contact with live electrical wires, resulting in Hausiku sustaining severe electrical burns to his head, chest, arm, neck, thigh, and foot. He was hospitalized from 15 March to 5 May 2024.
Hausiku blamed the incident on the negligence of hospital staff who assigned him the task without addressing safety hazards, such as exposed electrical wires, or providing protective equipment and proper training. The health ministry initially denied responsibility, arguing that Hausiku was negligent and should have known the dangers of touching live wires.
After mediation in November 2024, both parties reached an agreement. The ministry consented to pay N$300,000 to Hausiku, cover interest at 20% per annum from May 2024 until final payment, and bear legal costs on an attorney-client scale. The ministry has 90 days from the order date to complete the payment.
This settlement highlights the importance of workplace safety and accountability. It also underscores the need for employers to ensure that employees are properly trained and equipped to handle potentially hazardous tasks.
On 15 March 2024, Hausiku was tasked with assisting in offloading fuel from a truck at the hospital. While measuring fuel levels using a dipping stick, the stick came into contact with live electrical wires, resulting in Hausiku sustaining severe electrical burns to his head, chest, arm, neck, thigh, and foot. He was hospitalized from 15 March to 5 May 2024.
Hausiku blamed the incident on the negligence of hospital staff who assigned him the task without addressing safety hazards, such as exposed electrical wires, or providing protective equipment and proper training. The health ministry initially denied responsibility, arguing that Hausiku was negligent and should have known the dangers of touching live wires.
After mediation in November 2024, both parties reached an agreement. The ministry consented to pay N$300,000 to Hausiku, cover interest at 20% per annum from May 2024 until final payment, and bear legal costs on an attorney-client scale. The ministry has 90 days from the order date to complete the payment.
This settlement highlights the importance of workplace safety and accountability. It also underscores the need for employers to ensure that employees are properly trained and equipped to handle potentially hazardous tasks.
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