How to protect people in the workplace from injuries

In the UK, employers have a legal obligation to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their employees as defined in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This is commonly known as an employer’s duty of care and it requires them to take all reasonable steps to keep employees from injuries and harm while they are at work. It applies to all employees, including full-time, part-time, temporary, and contract workers but also extends to visitors and members of the public who may visit and could be a risk of injury.

Employers must conduct regular risk assessments, provide appropriate training and equipment where necessary and take steps to eliminate or control any hazards that are identified. Failure to meet this duty of care can result in legal action, fines, and even imprisonment.

Of course, this is easier to prevent the injury in some work environments than others. For example, there’s generally less hazard associated with working in an office than there is working in a warehouse or manufacturing plant.

Eliminating potential hazards is an essential part of an employer’s duty of care. This can take several steps to identify and remove or reduce hazards in the workplace. One of the first is to conduct a thorough assessment to identify any potential dangers and evaluate the level of risk associated with them.

Once hazards have been identified, employers need to take steps to eliminate or reduce them as much as possible. This could involve redesigning work processes, replacing equipment, or introducing additional safety measures such as guards or protective barriers. Employers should also ensure that any equipment used in the workplace is properly maintained and inspected regularly to prevent malfunctions or breakdowns.

Employers must put in place clear processes and procedures to ensure that employees know how to work safely and avoid potential hazards. This will often involve a combination of written instructions, conducting regular training sessions, and ensuring that employees understand the importance of following safety procedures.

For many workplaces like construction sites, employers will need to ensure that workers have the right protective gear to enable them to operate safely. This could involve providing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, gloves, and safety goggles, and ensuring that employees are trained in how to use them correctly.

Reducing the potential for an accident is not just about reducing the risk for individuals. For a business, someone who has an accident may well claim compensation. They certainly might have time off work that can affect productivity and require sickness payments.

If you have been injured at work, it’s important to seek legal advice from a solicitor who specialises in personal injury claims. This is because workplace injuries can have significant physical, emotional, and financial consequences. A personal injury solicitor can provide you with the legal expertise and guidance you need to navigate the complex process of making an injury claim. We will help you to gather evidence to support your claim, negotiate with insurance companies or the employer’s legal team, and represent you in court if necessary.

We offer a free case assessment so you can go through the details of any potential claim and discuss how best to proceed. Additionally, we operate on a No Win No Fee basis which means you don’t pay upfront fees. If the claim is not successful, you don’t have to pay anything.

It’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible after your injury, as there are strict time limits for making a personal injury claim. In most cases, you must claim within three years of the date of the injury, although there are some exceptions for certain types of injuries.

If you would like to find out more, contact our specialist personal injury team today.