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An employee should feel safe and comfortable while at work, and to many employees, this includes working with and handling equipment in good working condition.
Employers are legally bound to ensure that the equipment being used is suitable and safe for the job being performed.
Accidents at work occur everyday, especially when employers do not hold health and safety procedures to the highest standard. Employees are often asked to use broken or defective equipment, or in some circumstances, entirely the wrong apparatus for the job at hand.
If you have suffered an injury due to faulty equipment at work, then you may have grounds to make a personal injury claim for compensation. Our team of personal injury solicitors at Beacon Law are highly experienced in overseeing accident at work claims and can provide you with specialist advice and guidance throughout the claims process. If you would like more information on our services, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today.
What is considered faulty equipment at work?
Faulty equipment at work refers to any tools, machinery, or devices that are defective, malfunctioning, or unsafe for use. Such equipment can pose significant risks to employees and can lead to accidents and injuries. Faulty equipment can result from various factors, including manufacturing defects, poor maintenance, improper use, or general wear and tear.
Examples of Faulty Equipment
- Defective Machinery: Machines that have inherent defects from the manufacturing process, such as faulty wiring, structural flaws, or malfunctioning components.
- Power Tools: Tools that fail to operate correctly due to electrical issues, mechanical failures, or design flaws. This includes drills, saws, grinders, and other commonly used power tools.
- Safety Gear: Protective equipment that does not provide the required level of safety, such as helmets, gloves, safety harnesses, or goggles that are broken, poorly designed, or compromised.
- Office Equipment: Defective items like unstable chairs, broken desks, or faulty computers that can cause injuries such as falls, repetitive strain injuries, or electric shocks.
- Vehicles: Company vehicles that are not properly maintained or have mechanical issues like faulty brakes, steering problems, or engine malfunctions.
- Ladders and Scaffolding: Equipment that is unstable, damaged, or improperly assembled, leading to falls or collapses.
- Electrical Equipment: Items with faulty wiring, exposed live parts, or defective components that can cause electrical shocks or fires.
Common injuries sustained as a result of faulty equipment at work
Injuries caused by faulty equipment at work can range from minor to severe and can affect various parts of the body. The nature of an injury in the workplace often depends on the type of equipment and the specific defect. Some common injuries that can result from using faulty equipment include:
- Cuts and Lacerations
- Burns
- Electrocution
- Crush Injuries
- Fractures and Broken Bones
- Strains and Sprains
- Eye Injuries
- Head Injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Amputations
- Respiratory Issues
- Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs)
- Hearing Loss
What are employer’s responsibilities?
Employers have specific legal responsibilities to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees as outlined in various work safety laws and regulations, most notably the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA). Some of the key responsibilities of employers include:
General Duty of Care
- Ensure Safety: Employers must ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees.
- Safe Systems of Work: Provide and maintain safe systems of work, safe equipment, and safe methods of handling, storing, and transporting goods.
Risk Assessment
- Conduct Risk Assessments: Identify hazards in the workplace and assess the risks associated with them.
- Implement Control Measures: Take appropriate steps to control or eliminate risks.
- Review and Update: Regularly review and update risk assessments, especially when there are changes in the workplace.
Information, Instruction, and Training
- Provide Information: Supply employees with information about the risks they face and the measures in place to manage those risks.
- Adequate Training: Ensure employees receive adequate training to carry out their work safely.
- Instruction and Supervision: Provide clear instructions and adequate supervision to ensure employees work safely.
Safe Equipment and Work Environment
- Maintenance and Inspection: Must take care to ensure equipment is properly maintained and inspected regularly to remain safe to use.
- Safe Working Conditions: Ensure the workplace is free from health and safety hazards, including proper ventilation, lighting, and cleanliness.
- Provision of PPE: Provide suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means.
Reporting and Recording
- Accident Reporting: Report certain work-related accidents, diseases, and dangerous occurrences to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).
- Record Keeping: Keep records of risk assessments, safety checks, training, and any reported incidents.
Emergency Procedures
- Emergency Planning: Develop and implement emergency procedures for dealing with serious and imminent dangers, such as fires or chemical spills.
- Training and Drills: Ensure employees are trained in emergency procedures and conduct regular emergency drills.
Legal Compliance
- Adherence to Regulations: Comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and regulations, including the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations.
- Health and Safety Policy: For employers with five or more employees, prepare and regularly review a written health and safety policy.
Employers in the UK have a comprehensive set of responsibilities aimed at ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of their employees. By adhering to these responsibilities, employers can create a safer work environment, reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, and comply with legal standards.
No win, no fee claims
If you have suffered an injury due to faulty equipment in the workplace then our team of no win, no fee solicitors can help. By offering our services on a no win, no fee basis, clients need not worry about costs that come with making a claim. We only take a fee if your claim is successful. These costs will be calculated as a percentage and will be discussed with you before legal proceedings start. This payment is to compensate your solicitor for the time and work put into assisting on your case.
Why choose Beacon Law?
Beacon Law are a law firm of specialist personal injury solicitors. We have helped many of our clients claim compensation for suffering an injury as a result of defective workplace equipment, enabling them to move on with their life.
Please call us on 0330 1332 857, and we will be happy to assist you with your query.
Beacon Law are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. To find out about our no win, no fee funding options, have a look at the funding section on our website.
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Last Updated on June 11, 2024 by Stacey