A court has ordered two contractors to pay almost €125,000 in compensation to a 28-year-old man who was injured in a crane accident seven years ago.

Ronnie Grima, an Enemalta employee, suffered a 33 per cent permanent disability when one of the crane's cables snapped and seriously injured him in the arm as a transformer was being placed at the new hospital.

The court heard that on July 24, 2002, Enemalta had engaged White Brothers Ltd to place the transformer on site under its supervision, using a crane hired from Polidano Service Station and Plant Hire Ltd.

Enemalta's role in the work was entrusted to Mr Grima and other employees.

When the transformer was almost ready to be put in place, one of the crane's cables snapped and caught Mr Grima in the arm.

Mr Justice Geoffrey Valenzia completely exonerated both Mr Grima and Enemalta Corporation from any responsibility for the accident. The corporation had provided Mr Grima with a safe system of work and he had been given proper instructions as to his role in the transportation of the transformer as well as adequate safety gear.

Enemalta's employees had not interfered in the work of White Brothers but had approached the transformer when it was practically in place.

When referring to White Brothers Ltd, the court noted that as Enemalta's contractor this company was responsible to ensure that the whole operation of the transportation of the transformer to Mater Dei Hospital took place without endangering any of the workers present.

It resulted that when White Brothers had appointed Polidano as its subcontractor the company had not verified the condition and certification of the crane.

The court heard that at the time of the accident the crane had not been certified fit for use and that the crane's cable had snapped due to wear and tear.

The court found both White Brothers and Polidano responsible for the accident in the proportion of one third and two-thirds respectively. They were ordered to pay a total of €124,528.30 to Mr Grima by way of damages.