Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Employers have a duty to provide Personal Protective Equipment to protect their employees from hazards and risks of injury. PPE includes clothing or equipment which reduces the chance of injury, chemical exposure and illness.If an employee suffers an injury caused by the failure to provide PPE then they could be entitled to claim compensation.

If you have suffered an injury caused by the absence of PPE then consult our expert workplace injury solicitors by calling us on 08000 430 430 or complete our online enquiry form to request call back.

Types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Different personal protective equipment is used to offer safety for employees from hazardous chemicals, electrical shocks, excessive heat and fire and from other types of risks in the workplace. Personal protective equipment (PPE) may include;

Eye and Face Protection

• Risks to the eyes and face injury can occur when using chemicals, radiation, toxic liquids and gases, a dusty environment, intensely bright lights and tools e.g. hammer, spray and welding machine.
• PPE used to protect eyes and face from possible risks are goggles, safety spectacles, face shields, full face coverings, welding goggles and lenses.
• Injuresrelated to absence of eye and face guard are scratches or cuts, chemical burns and welding flash burns.These injuries can result in partial or full loss of sight and or scarring.

Head Protection

• Head or brain injuries are mainly due to the falling from heights, slips, flying objects and exposure to extreme heat or cold.
• PPE designed to protect the head and brain is safety helmets, bump caps and other hard hats.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI), serious head injury and electric shocks can occur if PPE is not provided.

Hands and arms Protection

• Hands and arms of employees are at risk because of chemical and thermal exposures, electrical dangers, moving machines, harmful substances absorption in skin and contaminated materials.
• Different types of personal protective equipment used to shield hands and arms are gloves, full arm covers and finger covers.
• Unavailability of PPE to guard hands and arms can cause burns, cuts, infectious diseases, fractures and amputations.

Feet and legs Protection

• Working in conditions with potential electrical hazards, exposure of molten metal splash, heavy objects, sharp tools and hot and wet slippery surface can cause damage to the feet and legs of employees.
• Safety shoes, full leg covers, leggings and toe guards are used to avoid potential risk to legs and feet.

Body Protection

• Employees can face serious harm to their bodies because of extreme temperatures, hot chemical or metal splash, contaminated substances by using heavy tools and machinery.
• Examples of personal protective equipment used to shield the body are laboratory overalls, leather jackets, aprons, surgical gowns, boiler suits and disposable suits.

Hearing Protection

• Heavy machinery or vehicles at construction sites, manufacturing industries and power plants can cause serious noise exposure to the employees. Long and continuous noise exposure can cause partial or complete hearing loss and psychological stress to the workers.
• To prevent hearing damage earplugs, earmuffs, preformed and molded earplugs are used.

Breathing Protection

• Different respiratory problems and diseases i.e. asthma, lungs cancer etc. can arise in employees by breathing in contaminated air, harmful dusts, gases, smokes, fumes or mists.
• Respirators are used to avoid breathing difficulties. Respirators cover the nose and mouth to avoid inhalation of toxic substances at workplace.

Employer’s Responsibility

It is the duty of employers to provide all employees with suitable personal protective equipment free of cost. Employers should make sure the availability of all types of PPE for every employee. Risk assessment, selection of suitable PPE, maintaining the standard of PPE, themaintenance of PPE and storage of PPE are the responsibilities of employers to fulfill. Employees must also be given the instructions, information and training for how, when and where to use PPE. Employer is responsible if any of his employees faces serious personal injury due to the absence of PPE.

Injury Compensation Claim due to Absence of PPE

It is your right to be compensated if you have suffered a personal injury caused by your employer’s failure to provide, you with suitable personal protective equipment.

Our specialisedteam of personal injury solicitors has years of experience in dealing with work related accidents. If the unavailability of Personal protective equipment (PPE) at workplace harmed you or your family member then contact us today on 08000 430 430 or submit our online enquiry form so we may call you back.

We will ensure we obtain maximum compensation for you including compensation for pain and sufferings, loss of earnings and treatment costs.