PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AT WORK

An employer is under a duty to provide personal protective equipment for employees, if they are required to carry out tasks which involve a risk to their health and safety.

Personal protective equipment includes items such as safety helmets, safety boots, high visibility jackets provided for use on building sites, goggles for use in engineering works, and appropriate clothing to protect employees from extremes of temperature.

The employer should assess what equipment is necessary and then decide upon the specific type of equipment most suitable for the task the employee is being required to carry out. For example, if an employer identifies that gloves are necessary for certain tasks, he/she should then consider what type of gloves are most suitable for each task.

Employers must ensure that any personal protective equipment provided is properly maintained and that employees know how to use it. This is very important as personal protective equipment is designed to protect employees from risks to their health and safety - risks which cannot be prevented by any other means.

If you, a friend, or a relative has had an accident or suffered an injury because of a lack of personal protective equipment, or due to being provided with unsuitable personal protective equipment, or as a result of a lack of training regarding how to use the personal protective equipment provided correctly, then our experienced team of solicitors may be able to help you.

For free initial advice, contact Caroline Christopher, Head of our Personal Injury Department and a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, on (01476) 591 711 or freephone (0800) 389 4832. Alternatively, you may prefer to e-mail details of your accident to Caroline