Protecting clothing is used by a wide variety of different workers from for a variety of different industries in order to protect themselves from harm. Some of the biggest industries whose workers regularly use protective clothing include agricultural, construction and manufacturing.
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 states that employers should perform the necessary risk assessments to all working environments in order to determine what, if any, personal protective equipment/clothing is required to reduce the worker form hazards. The act also states that when the employer has made the safety clothing available, the employee is responsible for wearing it. If you have been injured due to incorrect protective clothing at work, then an accident at work claim due to lack of or faulty protective clothing, may be possible.
Health and Safety state that employers must train their workers so they understand why wearing protective clothing is vitally important and in order to remind them employers should erect safety signs around the working environment.
In order to make sure the right protective equipment is being worn the following questions could be a guide.
Can the worker wear a variety of protective clothing at the same time with comfort and safety?
When the protective clothing is being worn can it be adjusted by the worker easily?
Is it fully suitable for the working environment?
Does the use of the protective clothing control any dangers or does it increase them?
Does the protective clothing/equipment still enable the worker to fully communicate and have adequate visibility?
If the answer to these questions is not sufficient then further assessments into correct protective clothing and equipment should be made.
The most common type of clothing workers wear to protect themselves is:
Safety glasses or goggles
Goggles or safety glasses should be provided to any worker who is in a working environment where the eyes could be harmed. This is common with the use of cutting tools and other types of similar equipment. If after an accident your eyes have been injured through the lack of goggles, then an eye injury claim due to faulty or no safety glasses may be possible.
High visibility jackets
High visibility jackets are required in working environments where it is vitally important you are seen, for example, road maintenance workers. If you have suffered any injury as a result of your employer failing to provide you with a high visibility jacket, an injury compensation claim due lack of safety clothing being provided by the employer may be possible.
Harnesses
If you have been injured as a result of a faulty, or the wrong type of, harness being provided, you may be able to make a workplace faulty harness injury claim.
Gloves
Gloves should be provided to protect the hands from a variety of hazards the most common of which are dust, chemicals and electric shocks. If you have not been supplied gloves or the wrong type of gloves were supplied by the employer for the job in hand, an injury claim due to no gloves or the wrong type of gloves issued by the employer may be possible.
Hard hats
Hard hats should be provided to protect workers who work in an environment where they could be hit on the head by a falling object, for example in the building/construction industry. Your hard hat provided should be fit for purpose in a good condition and of the right size. If you suffer an injury due to your employer failing to provide a hard hat, you may be able to pursue a head injury compensation claim for a work accident.
Steel capped footwear
Dangerous hazards to feet and legs from slipping, tripping, dampness, and chemical spillages are frequent, steel capped safety footwear should be worn to help protect. Soles, if necessary, should be chemical and oil resistant. If you have been injured due to not being provided steel capped safety shoes or boots then it may be possible to claim compensation for being injured due to insufficient footwear being supplied by the employer.
However you have been injured at work, if your employer has failed to provide you with the correct safety clothing/equipment you may be able to make a compensation claim for personal protective equipment not being issued by employer.
Following your accident at work you should report it to manager, record it into the accident book describing the cause and circumstances with any witness details if applicable. If you want to make an accident at work compensation claim, it will need to be within three years of the accident date and your injuries will need to be diagnosed and on medical records.
Contact us today to discuss your accident circumstances after which we can advise you of the next step. Call 0845 10 88 333 or click: Accident at work claims due to damaged, faulty, insufficient or lack of personal protective equipment/clothing issued by employer.
