If you have suffered an accident at work using equipment that you were not properly trained on, regardless of your previous experience, you may agree it is one of the most easily avoidable types of accident.
Your employer has a duty to maintain your health and safety whilst you are working; this includes providing training on all equipment that you will be using during your working time. Even if you’re experienced in a particular job or piece of equipment, your employer must cover how to use the equipment safely; slight differences in machines can lead to injuries that are easily avoidable. This does not just relate to new employees – you can have worked for a company for 20 years, but if you’re instructed to use equipment that you are not familiar with, proper training should always be provided.
Safety procedures should be in place on all equipment that poses a risk of injury to the user. These procedures should be enforced by your employer; however, you also have a duty to follow these to protect yourself. Negligence on your part can significantly affect your claim for compensation. If your employer does not have any safety procedures for potentially dangerous equipment then you should alert your employer to the risk as a matter of urgency. When no procedures are in place, take extra care using the equipment whilst your employer is in the process of doing something about it; if you suffer an injury whilst using the equipment and there are no procedures in place, then you may have a strong claim for compensation.
If you have been injured at work, you may be entitled to compensation from your employers insurance. Companies are insured against accidents occurring so you should not worry about claiming against your employer at all. Call The Injury Lawyers today for some free legal advice on making a work accident claim.
