Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE as it is more informally known, is equipment which can be used or worn to protect you from risks to your health and safety. There is a wide range of PPE which is available depending on the job that you do, and the risks that are involved. PPE can range from safety boots, to safety goggles, to respirators. PPE can be so important, as it does not just protect from those one-off accidents, but also those medical conditions which form over a period of time – known as industrial diseases. An example of an industrial disease is Vibration White Finger – the risk of getting this condition can be reduced through the use of PPE, such as anti-vibration gloves. In severe cases of Vibration White Finger, a sufferer can lose all feeling in their fingers and through to their hands.
What are your employer’s duties?
It is the duty of your employer to provide the necessary PPE, and it is contained in regulation that you have no duty to pay for it, or even to provide a contribution towards it.
Employers should not use PPE in place of another method of safety which protects you just as well, if not, better. PPE is a last resort failing all else, even if other methods may be more costly to your employer.
So, in summary of the above, employers have a duty to provide PPE where necessary; however, simply providing the equipment does not go far enough. Employers must also ensure that employees are fully trained in its use (this training should be documented), and also ensure that the PPE is properly maintained and stored.
Furthermore, employers must also ensure that the PPE itself does not cause a risk to health and safety, and that it is appropriately adapted for its use. For example, providing PPE that could get trapped in machinery and thus put the user in danger is not sufficient.
What to do next?
If you have had an accident as a result of a lack of or inadequate PPE at work, you may have a claim for compensation. In this situation it is advisable to take the following actions to protect your position:
- Report your injury to your employer as they may need to fill out an accident report.
- Seek medical assistance for your injuries.
- Check for witnesses to your accident and obtain their contact details.
- Get the advice of a specialist personal injury lawyer directly – many firms will offer free confidential claims assessments, so there is nothing to lose by getting the advice and assessing your options.
If you have any further questions regarding your accident at work then please feel free to give us a call for a confidential discussion.