Last Updated on September 21, 2026 by tanya

Employer Maintenance Breaches That May Put Workers at Risk

 

• Common maintenance breaches in workplaces include ignored servicing, faulty machinery, damaged safety guards, and poor premises upkeep.
• Maintenance breaches may often occur when employers ignore staff reports or fail to carry out inspections.
• If you’re injured because of a maintenance breach, you may be entitled to claim personal injury compensation.
• Report the breach, gather evidence, and speak to a solicitor under No Win No Fee to see if you have a valid claim.

 

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

 

Employees rely on their companies to have proper maintenance done at work, but there are common employer maintenance breaches that may put workers at risk. So, if an employer fails to inspect, repair or service machinery, equipment and premises, it could potentially lead to a preventable accident. So, the next question is: so what can you do if your employer did not maintain a safe environment in your workplace and you’ve been injured as a result?”

If you are able to show that a maintenance failure has led to your workplace accident, you may be eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim.

 

The Most Common Maintenance Breaches in Workplaces

A maintenance breach happens when an employer fails to inspect, repair, service, or replace equipment, machinery, or workplace features as required under regulations such as PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations), LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations), and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations.

These breaches may often occur because employers cut costs, rush production, or simply fail to prioritise safety. Below are some of the more frequent maintenance failures at companies in England and Wales:

 

Ignoring scheduled servicing: Employers skip manufacturer‑recommended servicing, allowing machinery to deteriorate and malfunction.

Failing to repair known faults: Staff report issues, but employers delay or ignore repairs, leaving hazards which have not been resolved.

Not replacing worn or damaged parts: Worn belts, rollers, blades, tyres, and cables create dangerous conditions.

Poor safety guard maintenance: Faulty guards, including those that are cracked, loose, missing, or incorrectly refitted after cleaning or servicing.

Skipping electrical testing: PAT testing lapses, faulty wiring, and overloaded circuits remain unresolved which may lead to an electrical accident at work.

Neglecting premises maintenance: Leaks, loose flooring, broken lighting, damaged stair rails, and structural deterioration are left unrepaired.

Vehicle and plant maintenance failures: Forklifts, diggers, vans, and agricultural machinery are used despite known defects.

Inadequate inspection records: Missing or incomplete maintenance logs make compliance difficult to prove.

 

Real‑World Example of Poor Maintenance

Maintenance breaches cause real injuries and a recent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) media report highlighted a failure to maintain electrically operated overhead doors resulted in a fatal incident. The worker at the Cardiff based company was attempting to repair an industrial overhead door when the accident occurred.

The HSE investigation into the tragic incident found that: “the company had not implemented a programme of routine inspection or preventative maintenance, allowing the doors to deteriorate into a poor condition”. Another finding was that that the employee had not been suitably trained to undertake the required work.

In addition, it found two previous incidents which had involved failing doors which had injured employees.

The HSE inspector, Georgina Bennett described the maintenance of industrial doors as a ‘high risk activity’, requiring specialist equipment and properly trained people.

What This Shows:

The company failed to maintain high‑risk industrial doors and appeared to have ignored earlier incidents, as well as allowing an employee who had not been properly trained, to carry out specialist repair work.

When employers neglect inspections, skip repairs, and expose staff to hazardous tasks without proper training, it may end in serious injury.  Incidents like this may lead to a personal injury or even a fatal accident claim.

 

Why Maintenance Breaches May Show Possible Employer Negligence

Maintenance breaches may indicate employer negligence because there could potentially be a failure to meet legal duties. Essentially, to keep their workers safe, employers should:

 

• Inspect equipment regularly
• Repair faults promptly
• Replace worn parts
• Maintain safety guards
• Test electrical systems
• Keep premises safe
• Maintain accurate records
• Act on employee reports

 

Can You Claim Personal Injury Compensation If Injured Due to a Maintenance Breach?

If you’ve been injured because your employer failed to maintain equipment or the workplace premises, you may be entitled to claim personal injury compensation in England & Wales.

Compensation generally covers:

• General damages: pain, suffering, and the impact on your daily life
• Special damages: lost earnings, medical costs, travel expenses, and future financial losses

 

Examples of possible claims:

• Injuries from unrepaired machinery faults
• Accidents caused by damaged or missing safety guards
• Slips and trips due to premises maintenance failures
• Electrical shocks from untested or faulty equipment
• Crush injuries involving poorly maintained workplace vehicles
• Falls caused by structural deterioration

 

What to Do If You Suspect a Maintenance Breach at Work

If you believe your injury may have involved a maintenance breach and unsafe conditions at work, take these steps:

 

• Report the breach to your employer and ensure it’s logged in the company’s accident book.
• Seek medical attention and keep copies of your records.
• Gather evidence, including photos of the hazard, witness details, and any communication about the fault.
• Request copies of maintenance logs if possible.
• Avoid using unsafe equipment until repairs are made.

 

How a Solicitor Investigates a Maintenance Breach

We partner with personal injury solicitors who are highly experienced in work injury claims. They offer a free consultation to assess whether you have a valid claim, as well as No Win No Fee agreements. Solicitors may use several methods to prove a breach and build your case, for example:

 

• Reviewing maintenance logs and servicing records
• Checking PUWER and LOLER compliance
• Inspecting equipment and premises
• Interviewing witnesses
• Obtaining expert engineering reports
• Demonstrating that the employer ignored known hazards

 

Start Your Claim for Compensation

If you’ve suffered an injury because your employer may have failed to maintain equipment or the workplace, you may be entitled to compensation.

Contact our friendly team to get started. We will ensure you receive all the support you need. 

Call us at 0333 358 2345 or contact us today for your free, initial consultation.