We take on a fairly high volume of workplace compensation claims involving apprentices for the simple reason that they are often more vulnerable to accidents and injuries. With far less experience as an apprentice in a dangerous environment like a factory or a construction site, apprentice employees can be at a greater risk of sustaining a personal injury.
Employers need to be on top of their game to make sure they adhere to the numerous workplace health and safety regulations we have in place. They cover everything from the prevention of slip and trip hazards, best manual handling practice, preventing injuries caused by work equipment, providing protective gear and clothing, and working at height – as examples.
But the key one we have here is often training. With less knowledge of the potential dangers of using certain equipment or working in particular environments, you’re naturally at a greater risk of injury.
As an apprentice, how do you know not to access certain parts of a dangerous machine? How do you know how to safely prepare a handheld tool for use? How do you know what clothing and gear you need to prevent injuries in the workplace?
The answer is simple – training!
So if you are injured in the workplace as an apprentice because you have not been adequately trained, you may have a successful claim for personal injury compensation.
The duty to ensue training is carried out efficiently and effectively is on your employer. They should record training and ask that you sign any training off to confirm you have fully understood it. If they have done this and you have been properly trained, they can defend the claim on that basis. But if they have not adequately trained you and this has caused the accident, you may have a claim.
Your Rights
Employers have a legal responsibility to have a policy of employers liability insurance to cover any employees injured in the line of duty. As an apprentice it covers you in just the same as it does any other employee. If your employer has been negligent in the duty of care that they have for you, you are entitled to make a claim for compensation.
You cannot be dismissed or treated any differently if you make a claim. You are legally protected and most employers nowadays are more than happy for you to put a claim in. They have insurance, and that’s what it’s there for. In fact, many employers nowadays will advise you to put a claim in.
For help and advice call 0800 634 75 75 today.
