Otegbade & Company Limited, a shoe-producing company, employed Taju as a Cobbler in the factory. The Managing Director of the company ensures that, in line with the health and safety policy of the factory, workers are provided with working tools and safety equipment, including protective glasses, which he always insists workers in the factory must wear during working hours. Taju disregarded the company’s safety policy. In the course of filing the heel of a shoe he was producing yesterday, and while not wearing the protective glasses, plastic particles entered his eyes and have permanently damaged his eyesight. The company denies liability. Taju is threatening to sue the company, and he has come to you for advice.

Required:

Advise Taju on his legal rights in this matter.

Taju was negligent by disregarding the safety policy that required wearing protective glasses during working hours. Since the company provided the necessary safety equipment and communicated the policy effectively, Taju may have a weak case in holding the company liable for his injury. However, he may argue contributory negligence if the safety policy was not enforced strictly or if there were other factors affecting his compliance.