Defective or faulty work equipment are often the cause of accidents at work. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations act 1998 protects employees from accidents and put the impetus on employers to protect their employees from such accidents happening as much as they can.
Work equipment is classified as any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work (whether exclusively or not). Use in relation to work equipment means any activity involving work equipment and includes starting, stopping, programming, setting, transporting, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing and cleaning.
It is the employer’s obligation to ensure that equipment has to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used. They also have to take steps to minimise the risk of any effect machinery may have upon an employee's health and safety. An assessment has to be carried out by the employer to identify any risks. Whilst carrying out assessments, employers have to consider working conditions, and the injurious potential of the specific equipment concerned. Employees are entitled to be notified by their employer of any risks to their health and safety highlighted by the said risk assessments.
Employers must ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and is in good repair. Inspections of machinery are often required for example if equipment is exposed to conditions likely to cause deterioration.
Employees also have to be adequately trained on methods of use, risks and precautions. Measures have to be taken to protect employees against dangerous or potentially faulty machine parts.
If you have suffered an injury at work as the result of machinery and feel your employer may have been in some way negligent of their obligations, as outlined here, then get in touch and we can confirm this for you.