PPE covers more than just hard-hats and ear defenders and does not cover certain items, such as food hygiene equipment, standard uniforms, public travel protection (such as motorcycle helmets) and offensive self-defence items (such as CS gas or truncheons). More usual items of PPE you might see are: 

 

• Head protection such as a hard-hat; which can offer vital, sometimes life-saving protection from falling objects or machinery moving items at or above head height. 

• Eye protection such as goggles or safety glasses; which offer protection in a  

variety of work environments from dust, debris or chemicals. 

 

• Ear protection such as ear defenders or plugs; these help to protect you,  

particularly over the course of time, from noise-induced hearing loss. Any job  

that regularly exposes you to noise of 85 Decibels or higher should offer you ear protection. 

 

• Hand protection such as gloves; like eye protection, these offer a variety of  

protection from cuts and abrasions, lacerations whilst working with sharp items,  

chemicals or extremes of heat or cold 

 

• Foot protection such as boots or shoes; a variety of hazards can be avoided with  

proper footwear such as their having slip-resistant soles for wet, icy or otherwise slippery work-surfaces, rubber soles for those working with or near electrics, steel toes to protect from crush injuries, solid construction to protect from penetration or laceration and also ankle support that helps prevent muscular injuries. 

 

• Floatation devices such as life jackets; for any job working near deep or running  

water. 

 

• Masks; such as are currently being used by people globally for protection against Covid-19 but more routinely for those in the medical or care professions 

 

The above list is not exhaustive and so, if you believe you have suffered a personal injury at work due to a lack of PPE not listed above, please do get in touch with one of our specialist personal injury solicitors and we will be happy to discuss your case. 

It is most certainly not; PPE must be fit for purpose in every way, both in terms of literal size and it’s suitability for protection against a specific hazard. Each task in the workplace must be risk assessed and each person must then be provided with the right type and size of PPE. Gloves, for example, must be both a variety of sizes and suitable for the job at hand. If a role requires two employees of differing size to wear cut proof gloves, the gloves provided must be in two suitable sizes and both sizes must be cut proof. The duty on your employer is absolute, it is their responsibility to give you the right type and size of PPE you need. If this does not happen and you sustain an injury, you can make a lack of PPE personal injury claim against your employer. MG Legal will be happy to help you do so on a no win no fee basis at no financial risk to yourself. 

As with any personal injury claim, you are entitled to include a claim for personal injury compensation arising from your injuries themselves, plus a claim for Special Damages, which covers any financial losses or out of pocket expenses you may have.  

These losses can include: 

 

• Lost Earnings 

 

• Medication Costs 

 

• Rehabilitation Costs such as physiotherapy 

 

• Travel Expenses 

 

• Care Costs should you need someone to look after you or perform tasks you would usually have done yourself 

 

• Future Treatment Costs 

 

Throughout the case and prior to settling your claim, your specialist solicitor will discuss these losses with you to ensure that all losses have been accounted for and included in the lack of PPE personal injury claim settlement. Rest assured, MG Legal are a safe pair of hands and we always ensure that when your claim settles, you receive the maximum amount of compensation possible. 

Following the incident, if your injuries permit, try to take a few photographs of the workplace and the cause of your injuries. Ensure that you make others, including your supervisor or line manager aware of the incident prior to leaving the site and complete any accident book entries as accurately as you are able. Make a note of any witnesses and take the details of any who saw the incident or any events leading up to it.  

 

We always recommend that you put your health first and so, if in any doubt about your injuries, visit your local Hospital or GP to obtain advice and treatment.  

 

Cooperate with any investigation your employer, or Health & Safety Executive makes, and ask for a copy of any documentation they produce. All of the above will help, but if you are unable to obtain some or all of this information it does not prevent you from making a claim, as your personal injury solicitor at MG Legal, can often request copies of documents from your employer or doctor. Above all, keep a clear account of what occurred, writing it down if necessary, so that when speaking to your specialist solicitor, they are able to provide you with the most accurate advice and set out your claim to your employer in the strongest possible terms.