Defective Equipment in the Workplace

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998) state that your employer is under a duty to supply you with appropriate equipment which is in good working condition.  Your employer is obligated to ensure that the equipment you are using is suitable and safe for the job you are performing.  Work equipment can include any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation, and mobile equipment used at work.

Accidents happen every day because employers fail to comply with health and safety law.  Employees are often asked to use broken or defective equipment, or in some circumstances, entirely the wrong apparatus for the job at hand.  This blatant disregard for the law can cause employees to suffer serious injuries in the workplace.

Have You Been a Victim of Defective Equipment in the Workplace?

Have you been injured whilst using defective equipment in the workplace?  Are you able to say for sure that you were using the correct equipment for the job you were performing?  Does your employer regularly check the suitability and safeness of your equipment?

Examples of defective or inappropriate equipment in the workplace could include:

• Machines which do not have guards to prevent fingers and hands getting caught.
• Inappropriate or temporary repairs to equipment which makes that equipment categorically unsafe.
• Equipment which is broken.
• Ladders which collapse due to a lack of maintenance.

I have been Injured as a Result of Defective Equipment, What Should I Do?

The first thing you should do following an accident is seek medical attention at hospital, or from your G.P . You should keep hold of all receipts for expenses, such as parking and medication.

You should also make sure that your employer has made a record of the accident and ask for a copy of this for yourself.

Witness statements from other employees and photographic evidence may also be useful for your case.

If you would like to discuss your potential accident at work claim, get in touch with Beacon Law.

Do I Have a Claim?

If your employer has provided you with defective or inappropriate equipment and you have suffered an injury as a consequence, then you may be able to bring a successful claim for compensation against your employer.