At Harris Fowler Solicitors, we regularly help clients who have suffered injuries at work or in public settings where Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should have been provided, but wasn’t. If you’ve been injured in an accident where PPE could have protected you, you may have a legal right to claim compensation.
Employers and other duty-holders have clear obligations under law to keep people safe. One important part of that duty is the correct provision and use of PPE.
What Is PPE?
PPE refers to clothing or equipment worn to minimise exposure to hazards that could cause injury or illness. Common examples include:
- Safety helmets
- Gloves
- Eye protection (goggles or face shields)
- High-visibility clothing
- Safety footwear
- Respiratory protection (e.g. face masks)
- Hearing protection
PPE is often used in workplaces such as construction sites, warehouses, factories, and laboratories, but it can be necessary in many environments, including healthcare and hospitality.
Legal Duties of Employers
Under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as updated in 2022), employers in England and Wales have a legal duty to:
- Provide appropriate PPE free of charge
- Ensure PPE is suitable for the risks involved and fits the user correctly
- Maintain and replace PPE as needed
- Train employees on how to use PPE properly
- Enforce its use where necessary
If an employer fails in any of these duties and you are injured as a result, they may be held legally liable for your injuries and any related losses.
Common PPE-Related Accidents
We have seen a wide range of accidents involving a failure to provide or maintain PPE, such as:
- Eye injuries from lack of eye protection
- Falls or crush injuries due to missing safety helmets or boots
- Chemical burns where gloves or aprons weren’t provided
- Hearing loss from prolonged exposure to noise without ear protection
- Respiratory illnesses from inhaling harmful substances without masks
Making a Personal Injury Claim Involving PPE
If you’ve suffered an injury that could have been prevented by proper PPE, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Loss of earnings (past and future)
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Travel expenses
- Care and assistance
- Any long-term impact on your quality of life
Even if you were provided with PPE but it was faulty, inadequate, or you were not trained to use it properly, the employer may still be at fault.
Why Choose Harris Fowler?
At Harris Fowler Solicitors, we specialise in personal injury law and have extensive experience dealing with cases involving workplace safety and PPE failures.
We work on a No Win No Fee basis and so if you’ve suffered an injury where PPE should have protected you, contact Harris Fowler Solicitors today on 0800 213 214 for a free consultation.
