What happens if you walk into your workplace and you are asked to carry out a task involving a harmful substance or danger without any protective equipment and you end up exposed to the substance causing burns your skin? Or what happens you are in an area where you may need a helmet due to the risk of falling materials or objects? Can you pursue a claim for personal injury I hear you say?
The answer to the above is YES!
The law which governs the above falls under The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations.
Under the regulations:
4. (1) Every employer shall ensure that suitable personal protective equipment is provided to his employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health or safety while at work except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective.
The employer must not only provide the employee with suitable equipment but the correct and adequate equipment required to carry out a particular task. Failure to comply could result in an employer being liable for your injuries.
Protective equipment and clothing must be given in order to reduce the risk of injury when dealing with hazardous equipment and harmful substances. Classic examples are:
- Helmets
- Goggles
- Gloves
- Masks
- Protective clothing – i.e. overalls
The employer must also communicate the following to an employee:
- Full training and safety instructions on how to use equipment
- Explain why a piece of equipment is relevant to a particular task
- When such equipment should be used
- Inspections at regular intervals to ensure working order of equipment
- Briefing to be undertaken on the relevant protocol to follow in case of an emergency
- Equipment must be provided to the employees and not charged at their expense
Personal protective equipment should be suitable for the job at hand to ensure an employee is fully protected when they are exposed in the workplace. Ideally, exposing an employee to such risks should be avoided; but when it can’t, equipment needs to be used to protect the employee.
The injury lawyers offer 100% compensation on a no win no fee basis to clients wishing to pursue a claim for compensation if we think we can win the claim. To discuss now call our specialist team on 0800 634 75 75 today.
Legislation: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/2966/regulation/4/made
