Riga hospital disputes labour inspectorate's finding on fatal door accident

Riga East Clinical University Hospital (RAKUS) has announced it will challenge the State Labour Inspectorate's (VDI) findings on an April workplace accident in which an employee was fatally crushed by an automatic door. The inspectorate concluded the cause was a failure to implement labour protection measures.

Hospital spokeswoman Lineta Mikša said the institution disagrees with the conclusions in the inspection report, arguing that information and explanations previously submitted by the hospital regarding compliance with safety requirements were not fully assessed. RAKUS board chairman Vadims Beļuns added that the hospital received the investigation documents only recently, limiting what it can currently say given the ongoing criminal proceedings.

Inspectorate's findings

The inspectorate's expert assessment found the doors lacked adequate safety sensors that should have stopped or reversed the door's movement when a person entered the danger zone. The doors had been in operation for several years. VDI stressed that employers must equip moving mechanical parts with safety devices and dismissed the possibility of manufacturer liability, since the sensors had been improperly positioned.

All investigation materials will be forwarded to the State Police for the ongoing criminal case, and administrative violation proceedings have also been opened against the employer, which could result in a fine.

Hospital's response

Following the accident, RAKUS carried out unscheduled inspections of all automatic doors and lifts, reassessed workplace risks, repeated safety training for staff, and offered psychological support. The hospital declined to disclose whether any compensation has been paid to the deceased employee's relatives.

VDI said it received numerous explanations from RAKUS, which largely denied responsibility, but stated these were reviewed and taken into account, and that cooperation between the inspectorate and the hospital continues. The inspectorate also decided to conduct preventive checks at other healthcare institutions to verify that similar doors meet safety requirements.