Dangerous Machinery
If you work with dangerous machinery, your employer must provide you with training on how to correctly and safely operate that machinery. You must also be provided with the correct safety equipment.
Last updated on February 6th, 2019 at 03:55 pm
How can injuries involving dangerous machinery occur?
Failing to provide sufficient training and equipment can often lead to injury whilst operating machinery. Typical injuries can include:
- Fingers and hands being caught into the machinery’s moving parts.
- A person being crushed by the machinery.
- Clothing, jewellery or hair being caught in the machinery.
- A machine ejecting sparks or other projectiles.
Why do these injuries occur?
If you’ve suffered an injury as a result of using dangerous machinery, it probably isn’t your fault. According to the Health And Safety At Work Act (HASAWA), employers must ensure that operators of dangerous machinery have been sufficiently trained to safely operate the machinery. This training could include:
- Provision and study of the manufacturer’s instructions.
- A supervised demonstration of the machinery at work, with instruction of how to operate it.
- Internal competence assessment (documented) provided by staff with who are qualified or experienced enough to provide training.
- External competence assessment (documented) provided by qualified individuals.
Apart from providing adequate training, your employer must also ensure that the safety equipment used for the job is fit for purpose and readily available. Regulation 4 of the HASAWA says “Employers should, therefore, provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and training in its usage to their employees wherever there is a risk to health and safety that cannot be adequately controlled by other means.”
I think I’ve been a victim
If you have suffered an injury during the operation of dangerous machinery at work and feel like your employer hasn’t properly trained or equipped you then they could be held accountable. Contact our personal injury team today on 0114 272 9184to discuss your case in confidence, we are here to help.
If you are having mixed feelings about pursuing a claim, please read our article about why there is no need to feel ashamed or guilty about making a claim.
