An employer knew that one of its employees was blind in one eye but did not provide him with safety goggles. He was struck in his good eye and became totally blind. In Paris v Stepney Borough Council, which factor was decisive in finding the employer in breach?

Correct answer: A) The seriousness of the potential harm to that particular employee

Explanation

Paris v Stepney shows that the more serious the consequences of an injury, the greater the precautions a reasonable person would take. Because the claimant risked total blindness, the employer should have provided goggles even if it would not have needed to do so for other workers. Cost of precautions is a separate factor illustrated by Latimer v AEC.