Faulty work equipment can include anything from worn-out tools and broken ladders to unsafe machinery or damaged PPE. These accidents are common but preventable.
If a piece of machinery failed or a tool broke and caused your injury at work, you might be wondering if you are entitled to claim compensation. And, if so, how you might go about making a faulty work equipment injury claim.
In this guide, we’ll explain what faulty equipment means, how the law protects you and how to start your claim.
What counts as faulty work equipment?
Under UK law, work equipment means almost anything you use to do your job, from heavy machinery and power tools to ladders, vehicles, or protective gear. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) define it as “any machinery, appliance, tool or installation used at work.” Faults can arise in many ways, including:
- Poor maintenance or lack of servicing
- Design or manufacturing defects
- Normal wear and tear
- Incorrect installation or setup
- Broken or missing safety guards and controls
In real terms, this could mean:
- A drill with a frayed power cable causing an electric shock
- A conveyor belt with a missing guard leading to crush injuries
- A ladder collapsing because of loose bolts
- Faulty protective gloves resulting in chemical burns
Even small defects can lead to serious injuries. Your employer has a legal duty to prevent these risks through regular inspection, maintenance, and safe working practices.
Employer responsibilities under UK law
Your employer has a clear legal duty of care to protect you from harm caused by unsafe or defective equipment. Several UK laws set out these responsibilities:
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 — Employers must make sure all equipment used at work is safe, properly maintained and suitable for its purpose.
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) — Employers must inspect, maintain and ensure that every piece of work equipment is safe to use and used correctly.
- Employer’s Liability (Defective Equipment) Act 1969 — If faulty equipment supplied for your work causes injury, your employer can be held responsible even if they didn’t know the item was defective.
To meet these duties, employers should:
- Provide equipment that’s fit for purpose
- Carry out regular safety checks and maintenance
- Train employees on safe operation and inspection
- Replace or repair faulty tools immediately
While the main duty lies with employers, responsibility can sometimes extend to others, such as manufacturers or maintenance contractors if the defect originated with them.
Common injuries and how they happen
Accidents involving faulty or defective equipment can cause a wide range of injuries – from minor cuts to life-changing harm. Some of the most common include:
- Crush or entrapment injuries caused by unsafe machinery
- Electric shocks or burns from faulty wiring or damaged power tools
- Falls from height due to collapsing ladders or scaffolding failures
- Deep cuts or lacerations from malfunctioning blades or tools
- Long-term conditions such as vibration-related injuries or repetitive strain
These accidents often happen because equipment isn’t inspected or maintained regularly, safety guards are missing or broken, workers haven’t been properly trained, or PPE was damaged or not provided at all.
If your employer failed to maintain safe equipment or ignored essential safety procedures, you may have grounds to make a faulty work equipment injury claim.
Can I claim compensation for a faulty work equipment injury?
You might be able to make a faulty work equipment injury claim if:
- Your employer owed you a duty of care.
- The equipment you used was unsafe or defective.
- That fault directly caused your injury.
In most cases, your employer will be responsible, but liability can also extend to manufacturers, maintenance contractors or equipment suppliers if the defect originated with them.
However, there are time limits to be aware of. Under the Limitation Act 1980, you generally have three years from the date of your accident, or from when you first realised your injury was caused by faulty equipment, to begin your claim.
Many people worry about claiming against their employer, but you don’t need to. Every UK employer is legally required to have employers’ liability insurance to cover situations like this. Making a claim is about securing fair compensation for your injury and recovery, not creating conflict at work.
It’s best to seek legal advice early. An experienced solicitor can quickly assess whether your case meets the criteria for a faulty work equipment injury claim and guide you through your next steps.
Evidence and steps to take after an accident
The stronger your evidence, the easier it is to prove your claim. Gathering information as soon as possible helps your solicitor build a clear picture of what happened and who’s responsible. The most important evidence to collect includes:
- Accident report form — Every workplace should record incidents in writing.
- Photos or video — Capture the faulty equipment or accident scene.
- Witness names and statements — From anyone who saw what happened.
- Medical reports or treatment records — Showing the extent of your injury.
- Maintenance and inspection logs — Your solicitor can request these from your employer.
What to do after an equipment accident
Follow these simple steps to protect yourself and any future claim:
- Report the incident to your employer or supervisor immediately.
- Seek medical attention, even if your injury seems minor.
- Don’t repair or dispose of the faulty equipment – it may be crucial evidence.
- Keep copies of any paperwork, receipts, or related expenses.
- Contact Injury Lawyers 4u as soon as possible.
We’ll help preserve evidence and start your faulty work equipment injury claim on your behalf.
How Injury Lawyers 4u can help
When you’ve been injured by faulty or poorly maintained equipment, the last thing you need is more stress. At Injury Lawyers 4u, we make the process of claiming compensation clear, calm and straightforward. Here’s how we help:
- Free consultation — We’ll listen to your story and check if you’re eligible to make a faulty work equipment injury claim.
- Evidence gathering — Your solicitor will collect maintenance records, inspection logs, witness statements and expert reports to support your case.
- Claim submission — We’ll contact your employer’s insurer and manage all correspondence for you.
- Negotiation and settlement — Most claims are settled without going to court, but if needed, we’ll guide you through every step.
No win, no fee explained
With our no win, no fee service, there are no upfront costs to start your claim, no fees to pay if your case isn’t successful, and legal fees that are capped and clearly explained from the start.
Your employer has a legal duty to provide and maintain safe work equipment. If they fail to do so and you’re injured as a result, you may be entitled to make a faulty work equipment injury claim. Remember, you normally have three years from the date of your accident (or when you first realised your injury was caused by faulty equipment) to act.
If you’ve been injured by defective or poorly maintained equipment, contact Injury Lawyers 4u for expert no win, no fee support.
Faulty work equipment claim FAQs
What laws protect me if I’m injured by faulty equipment?
You’re protected by several key laws, including the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and the Employer’s Liability (Defective Equipment) Act 1969. Together, these require employers to provide safe, well-maintained equipment and take responsibility if a defect causes injury.
Who can I claim against?
Usually, you can claim against your employer. However, if the fault came from a manufacturer, supplier or maintenance firm, they may also share liability.
Can I claim if I’m self-employed or an agency worker?
If the company you were working for supplied the defective equipment or controlled your working conditions, you might still be able to claim compensation.
What if I was partly at fault?
You might still claim if you were partly at fault. Your compensation could be reduced under a rule called contributory negligence, but you won’t automatically lose your right to claim.
How long do I have?
You generally have three years from the accident date or the date you realised your injury was caused by faulty equipment to start your faulty work equipment injury claim.