Health and safety regulations exist to protect workers and the public from avoidable harm. Your employer has a legal duty of care to ensure the safety of employees and personnel as outlined in the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).

Suffering an accident or personal injury, whether fatal or non-fatal, is stressful for victims and their families. For those unable to work for a period of time it can put a great deal of strain on their finances, and perhaps their partners, while they are unable to care for their family.

If you or a family member suffered an accident at work that was someone else’s fault, you may be able to make a health and safety breach claim for compensation.

The term ‘breach’ in legal terms, refers to a ‘failure to perform a contact, or to do one’s duty’. Given that the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in Britain is the Health and Safety at Work Act, a breach in this situation would relate to any act, on the behalf of your employer, that puts the ‘health, safety and welfare’ of you and other colleagues, in danger.

Under law, your employer has several responsibilities to reduce the risk of harm and to control any risks to injury, or health, that could arise in the workplace. You must be fully aware of all the potential hazards in your workplace and be equipped to deal with them, especially in the event of an emergency.

These risks can be controlled by safeguarding measures, such as:

• Carrying out regular risk assessments
• Communicating risks and safety measures to employees
• Thoroughly training staff on health and safety
• Holding regular reviews of the working environment
• Having an appointed first aider and first aid box
• Displaying the Health and Safety Law poster
• Introduce regular breaks during intense work
• Having necessary insurances

The severity of your injuries will largely depend on the how significant the health and safety breach was, but personal injuries can range from minors burns and scalds, to deafness and fatality.

Below are just a handful of health and safety breaches that we have helped our clients with:

• Exposure to chemicals
• Faulty appliances being used
• Slips on wet floors with no sign
• Blocked fire exits
• Breaching gas safety regulations
• Incorrect equipment for work at height

This list is not exhaustive and we will be in a better position to discuss your claim once we know your individual situation.

Health and safety measures are a must for any UK employee and where  you have been denied this, and suffered a workplace accident or injury as a direct result, you are in a position to make a health and safety breach claim.