Personal Protective Equipment
Whilst PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) has become more prevalent in the press recently due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, it has long been an established requirement for employers to provide PPE that is both suitable of the task in hand and that is also in good condition. Most of the law in England and Wales regarding PPE can be found here, in the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. In addition to providing the correct PPE, employers must also ensure that all employees have received up to date and correct training in its use.
Personal Protective Equipment that is poorly maintained or in certain circumstances out of date, could result in inadequate protection and expose employees to potential hazards involved in their working environment, for example exposure to dangerous dust particles, asbestos or chemicals.
Your Employer’s Obligations Regarding PPE
If you require PPE at your place of employment due to being exposed to a risk to your health or safety, work regulations state that your employer must provide all necessary PPE. Your employers is not allowed to ask for any financial contribution to be made towards the PPE, it must be provided free of charge as it is their duty to keep you safe whilst at work.
As mentioned above, the regulations also state that it is an employer’s duty to ensure that the PPE is properly evaluated before its use to ensure its suitability, that it is maintained properly and that the appropriate training on its use is provided. Types of PPE can include:
- Respirators and masks
- Safety helmets, boots, overalls
- Eye protection
- Ear defenders
- Gloves
- Safety Harnesses
- High-visibility clothing.
- Protection against adverse weather conditions
Industrial Diseases due to lack of PPE or Accidents in the Workplace
Industrial disease is a term used to describe an illness or a condition that can arise or be caused as the result of unsafe working practices or exposure to certain substances in the workplace. Unfortunately, industrial disease is often contracted due to poor and unsafe working conditions caused by an employer failing to fulfil their duty of care, and commonly this is caused by lack of the appropriate PPE or equipment training. Whilst industrial disease, industrial injury or occupational disease can range from accidents with machinery, poisoning, hearing conditions or repetitive strain injury, the most common types of illnesses are due to asbestos related environments. Asbestos related diseases include:
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestos related lung cancer
- Asbestosis
- Pleural thickening
- Pleural plaques
Specialist Industrial Disease Solicitors
Larcomes have a long-established record of obtaining compensation for sufferers of Asbestos related Diseases. Our specialist industrial disease solicitors have been acting for the victims of Asbestos exposure and the related diseases for over twenty-five years, obtaining much needed compensation for sufferers and their families.
We have assisted lots of sufferers who have initially been uncertain where they may have been exposed to asbestos. By taking the time to discuss theirs and their family’s work histories we have identified how they have been exposed and successfully obtained compensation for them.
We are proud supporters of HASAG https://hasag.co.uk/, a registered charity providing support, guidance and information to people with asbestos diseases.
For more information on claiming compensation for an industrial related illness and to discuss our No Win No Fee compensation claim legal services, Please call on 023 9244 8100 or make an online enquiry