Workplace hazards advice from your personal injury solicitor

Your employer has a duty to protect you and maintain safe conditions for you in the work place and prevent any workplace hazards. If you have an accident at work and feel that it wasn’t your fault then pursuing a claim for compensation might be the right thing to do.

Unlike with most personal injury claims, this can feel like you are claiming against someone you actually know; your boss. Instead, you are are claiming against the company, not personally against your boss and it’s for this reason that you shouldn’t be put off making a claim. In actual fact it’s one of the main reasons to make a claim.

There are four main types of workplace hazards:

Physical hazards are the most common hazards and are present in most workplaces at some time. Examples include: frayed electrical cords, unguarded machinery, exposed moving parts, constant loud noise, vibrations, working from ladders, scaffolding or heights, spills and tripping hazards.
Ergonomic hazards occur when the type of work you do, your body position and/or your working conditions put a strain on your body. They are difficult to identify because you don’t immediately recognise the harm they are doing to your health. Examples include: poor lighting, improperly adjusted workstations and chairs, frequent lifting, repetitive or awkward movements.
Chemical hazards are present when you are exposed to any chemical preparation (solid, liquid or gas) in the workplace. Examples include: cleaning products and solvents, vapours and fumes, carbon monoxide or other gases, gasoline or other flammable materials.
Biological hazards come from working with people, animals or infectious plant material. Examples include: blood or other bodily fluids, bacteria and viruses, insect bites, animal and bird droppings.

Accidents do happen, despite our best efforts to avoid them, and in the aftermath it’s extremely important to look closely at where errors were made. There are various Laws and Regulations which require your employer to keep you safe and prevent accidents at work. If you are injured due to a breach of one of those Laws or Regulations by your employer then you can claim.

Call us now to discuss your claim or accident involving a workplace hazard with a personal injury solicitor. Call 0161 785 3534.

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Vijay Srivastava

Partner

Vijay heads up the Litigation and Injury team at Wrigley Claydon, where he has worked for over 35 years, amassing a wealth of experience. Many years ago, Vijay was appointed to the Law Society Personal Injury Solicitor Panel as a specialist in injury claims. This has led him to act in many high value injury claims and medical negligence cases. His experience in and knowledge of procedural matters and the interpretation of medico-legal reports and other expert evidence, combined with his friendly but professional approach, enable Vijay to provide a service to clients we believe is second to none.  Vijay advises both Corporate and Private clients on cost-effective ways of bringing and defending claims in the Courts. He has successfully acted on numerous high-value contractual claims and many disputed probate cases.