Employer Liability for Scaffolding Collapse and Workplace Safety

A worker, injured during work on scaffolding that collapsed due to insufficient bracing, sued the employer, arguing the employer failed in their obligation to ensure safety. The lower court found the employer liable, citing the general duty of care to protect employees from risks inherent in their work, including risks related to the stability of equipment provided. The high court upheld this finding, reasoning that the employer's duty requires them not only to provide safe equipment but also to ensure its proper setup and maintenance, and that the employer could not absolve themselves of responsibility merely by demonstrating they gave instructions, as the duty necessitates verifying the actual execution of safety measures against foreseeable dangers inherent in the construction work.