Inadequate Protective Equipment (PPE) Compensation Claims

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states that employers are responsible for the maintenance and provision of safety equipment used by employees.

Personal Protective Equipment is sometimes known as PPE. It is used in many different scenarios including sports, some leisure activities, and workplace situations. It is designed to provide a barrier between you and something that could potentially harm you. If you are not provided with the correct PPE by your employer or the PPE you have been provided with is inadequate or faulty and you suffer an injury, you could make a PPE compensation claim.

If you would like more information on making a claim for compensation then please get in touch with First Personal Injury on 0333 358 2345 or online.

PPE at Work

Many workplaces require their employees to wear PPE  in order to be safe while carrying out their job. This can include helmets, goggles and overalls. Some jobs and sectors require the use of PPE more than others.

The barrier imposed by PPE could be protection from heat, electrical hazards, or chemicals and substances. If you have not been provided with PPE or the PPE you have is unsuitable and you are injured at work, you could make a claim against your employer. For more information, the Health and Safety Executive outlines all the specific guidelines about personal protective equipment in the workplace.

To make a PPE compensation claim, contact First Personal Injury today.

 Types of PPE

• Construction sites. Potentially dangerous machinery around and the possibility of falling debris. Wearing a hard hat is a health and safety requirement on a building or construction site.
• Noisy factories can cause damage to your hearing. Depending upon the level of noise and the length of time you are exposed to the noise-employers may have to both supply ear defenders and enforce their use.
• Eye protection in the form of goggles should be provided in a number of different workplace settings. For example, if you are a joiner working with wood and sawdust, there is a possibility this could get into your eyes. Whatever your job, if there is a danger of substances coming into contact with your eyes, you should always wear eye protection.
• If your work involves working with chemicals then employers may be required to provide you with masks as a form of protection against respiratory problems like asthma.
• If you work in a role where your hands come into contact with substances or chemicals, you should be provided with protective gloves that will protect you from developing dermatitis.
• Steel toe cap boots are a form of foot protection. They are designed to prevent damage to your feet in environments where there is a possibility of heavy objects falling. They are also heat and water-resistant.

The Law and PPE Compensation Claims

The Personal Protective Equipment At Work Regulations 1992 is designed to protect employees from dangers at work. PPE should be used when and if there are no other means of protecting employees from dangers in the workplace. The Health and Safety Executive advises that PPE should be used as a last resort. All equipment should be properly assessed before it is used. What’s more, employees should receive instructions on how to use it and make sure it is stored and maintained correctly. If your employer has failed to follow these guidelines, then you could be able to make a PPE compensation claim.

There are other regulations that must be adhered to including the COSSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health). Your employer should be fully up to speed on the correct regulations it should adhere to.

Making A PPE Compensation Claim

If you have been injured at work in an accident that wasn’t your fault, no matter the accident type, then you deserve to be able to claim for a loss of earnings. If additional costs have also arisen due to your injuries such as a loss of earnings due to being unable to work, then this could possibly also be covered by compensation.

The best way to find out about how much compensation you are likely to be owed is to speak directly to us.

If you have suffered an accident at work because your employer has not provided the correct PPE, you could have a valid claim. We can often conduct your claim on a no win, no fee basis. This means that we do not charge any fees if you lose your case and therefore lower any financial risk to you. We can help you claim compensation for your pain and suffering as well as any expenses you have had in relation to your injury.

Contact First Personal Injury

Contact us for a no-obligation assessment of your circumstances to find out if you might be able to claim. Call us on 0333 358 2345 or fill out our online form.