Last Updated on September 28, 2026 by tanya

Can I Claim If My Employer Didn’t Provide the Right Tools?

 

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced under the oversight of Michael Jefferies, First Personal Injury Director, who brings more than 30 years of legal experience.

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer

 

Claim Compensation in England & Wales

If you suffered an injury at work because you had to use improvised tools, you may be asking: ‘Can I claim if my employer didn’t provide the right tools?’ This situation tends to arise in the workplace if proper equipment isn’t available and workers are left to improvise with whatever they can find to get the job done. These may seem to be quick fixes and relatively harmless, but if you were hurt because you had to use improvised tools at work, you may be eligible to pursue a personal injury claim in England and Wales.

This guide explains why improvised equipment may be hazardous in the workplace, how employer negligence is assessed, and what steps you should take next if this has happened to you or a loved one.

 

Improvised Tools: Are They A Hidden Workplace Hazard?

Improvised tools are not designed for workplace tasks and so they will lack the strength, stability, and safety features required for work safety. So, when employees are forced to improvise, the risk of injury can increase. This may be because the employee feels they have to complete a task quickly or simply because proper equipment is not available.

Examples of unsafe improvisation include:

 

Makeshift Lever Tools: Workers may sometimes use metal pipes, spanners or even pieces of scrap wood as improvised levers to force open stuck panels or tighten heavy bolts. These objects can potentially snap or slip under pressure, causing sudden hand injuries, shoulder strains or impact trauma.

Improvised Electrical Fixes:  In workplaces without proper electrical tools, staff may tape exposed wiring, wedge loose plugs into sockets, or use coins to hold fuses in place. These shortcuts can increase the risk of shocks, burns and electrical fires.

Unstable Load Supports: When proper supports or stands are missing, workers may prop heavy items on paint tins, plastic crates or stacked materials. These makeshift supports can collapse without warning, causing crush injuries or foot and leg trauma.

Improvised Cutting Tools: Employees may even sometimes use broken glass, utility‑knife fragments or sharpened scrap metal to cut packaging or materials. These improvised blades lack handles, grip and stability and can possibly lead to deep lacerations and puncture wounds.

Temporary Machine Controls: In some workplaces, workers may use sticks, metal rods or loose objects to activate hard‑to‑reach machine switches or sensors. These improvised controls can slip, jam or trigger machinery unexpectedly, causing entanglement or crush injuries.

 

Why Improvised Tools May Lead to Accidents

Improvised equipment can create risk of injury at work because:

 

• It fails unexpectedly, causing slips, falls, or crush injuries
• It cannot withstand pressure, leading to sudden breakage
• It lacks safety features, exposing workers to moving parts or hazardous machinery
• It encourages unsafe habits, especially if staff believe “it’s just quicker this way”
• It signals poor workplace management, including inadequate training or supervision

 

Employer Duties: Providing Safety in the Workplace

Employers in England & Wales must comply with strict health and safety regulations, including The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which requires them to:

 

• Provide safe and appropriate tools for every task
• Maintain equipment so it remains in safe working condition
• Carry out risk assessments
• Train staff on safe working practices
• Supervise tasks to prevent unsafe improvisation
• Replace damaged or missing equipment promptly

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has comprehensive guidelines on safety regulations for equipment provided for use at work, including that it is safe for use and maintained and inspected regularly. Should this not happen, an employee may turn to a makeshift tool to complete a task.

 

Can an employer be responsible if I was injured using an improvised tool?

An employer may be responsible if you were injured because suitable equipment was not provided and as you needed to get the task done, you were forced to improvise. The circumstances will matter, so questions around this may be: whether the employer knew the correct tool was unavailable, whether workers had been told to improvise, and whether suitable equipment, training or supervision had been provided?

 

What if my employer says I chose to use the improvised tool?

An employer may say that you chose to use an improvised tool, but this does not automatically mean you cannot claim. There is an important difference between choosing an unsafe shortcut when suitable equipment was available and improvising because your employer had not provided the right tool.

Evidence about what equipment was available, what instructions you were given and what your employer knew could be important in such a scenario

 

Do Improvised‑Tool Claims Differ From Defective‑Equipment Claims?

Claims which are a result of an accident with improvised tools tend to point towards employer behaviour, workplace culture and a failure to provide safe equipment, while defective equipment may  be equipment which is not working because it has not been properly maintained or checked regularly.

Therefore, the difference is clear:

 

Defective equipment = tools or machinery supplied by the employer that are faulty or damaged

Improvised tools = objects never actually intended for the job and only used because proper equipment was unavailable

 

What To Do Straight After an Accident Involving Improvised Tools

If you were injured because you had to use improvised tools, take these steps:

 

• Report the accident to your employer
• Ensure the incident is recorded in the accident book
• Seek medical attention immediately
• Photograph the improvised tool and the work area
• Collect witness details
• Keep receipts for medical or travel expenses
• Contact a personal injury solicitor in England & Wales
• Avoid discussing fault with colleagues or management

There’s a three-year limitation from the date of injury for making a personal injury claim.

 

How Can A Personal Injury Solicitor Help?

We work with experienced personal injury lawyers who offer a free, no-obligation consultation to assess your claim. They also offer a No Win, No Fee option which means no upfront costs to worry about. Experienced solicitors also understand how employers and insurers may typically defend these cases.

It’s worth knowing that a solicitor specialising in workplace accidents can:

 

• Assess whether your employer breached their duty of care
• Gather evidence such as witness statements, accident reports, and workplace policies
• Demonstrate that improvised tools were used because proper equipment was unavailable
• Prove that the improvised tool directly caused your injury
• Calculate your compensation, including future financial losses
• Handle negotiations with insurers
• Ensure your claim meets legal requirements in England & Wales

 

What Compensation Can Cover

Compensation amounts depend on how serious your injury is and the long-term impact it may have on your life. If your claim succeeds, typically compensation may include:

 

• Pain, suffering, and loss of amenity (quality of life)
• Lost earnings and future income loss
• Medical treatment, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation
• Travel expenses for medical appointments
• Care and assistance, even if this is from family members
• Costs for mobility aids or home adjustments

 

Get Started: Contact Us Today

Improvised tools are often a sign of unsafe working conditions. So, if you’ve been involved in an accident where an improvised tool was used which may be due employer negligence, it’s worth giving our team a call.

We will ensure you receive all the support you need, so call us at 0333 358 2345 or contact us online at First Personal Injury.