Accidents at work involving use of work equipment or machinery

Accidents and injuries at work involving use of machinery or work equipment can occur in
many different ways. Common causes of work equipment accidents include:
 Accidents and injuries caused by faulty or unsafe work equipment  -For example a
crush injury caused as a result of a missing or inadequate guard on a factory machine
or an electric shock or burn caused by faulty electrical equipment.
 Falls from height due to defective or unsuitable ladders, working platforms or
scaffolding  – In many cases falls can occur because the equipment is unsuitable for
the work being carried out such as over-reaching on an unsuitable ladder
 Injuries caused by sharp edges or broken parts on work equipment
 Injuries sustained whilst using work equipment without proper protection  – This
could include hearing loss caused by working with noisy equipment without
adequate ear protection or burns or scalds caused by contact with hot parts of work
equipment
 Work accidents and injuries caused by lack of proper training to use work
equipment  -Employers must provide proper training to staff to ensure that they
understand how to use and operate the work equipment safely
 Injuries caused by the unsafe use of work equipment  – Work equipment may be in
a good working order but it may result in injury to a worker if it is used in the wrong
way. Employers have a duty to make sure that a safe system of work is in place at all
times.
 Workplace injuries caused as a result of unsuitable work equipment  – Using the
wrong tools for a job can lead to injury. This could be due to lack of proper staff
training or due to the fact that unsuitable equipment was provided by the employer.
 
Employer duties regarding safe use of machinery and work equipment
There are a number of health and safety regulations which place various duties on
employers. These rules are designed to ensure that workers are safe and protected from
risks when using work equipment.
Different rules and regulations apply depending upon the type of work, place of work and
the type of equipment. The main duties of an employer are to:
 provide the correct type of work equipment which is suitable and safe for the job
 properly maintain and safety inspect work equipment
 carry out regular risk assessments and identify any risks that the employee may be
subjected to when using work equipment
 provide proper training and information to any employee using equipment at work
ensure that the work equipment is fitted with suitable safety features (for example
emergency stop controls, guards, warning signs etc)
 provide suitable protective equipment for employees using work equipment – such
as safety footwear, safety goggles, ear protectors, safety helmets, protective gloves
etc
What are the Most Common Types of Heavy Machinery Accidents?
When large pieces of machinery are used in the workplace, even a small oversight or
mistake can cause a serious accident. These accidents can include a range of tools and
machinery, including loaders, cranes, backhoes, compactors, mixers, forklifts, haul trucks,
and cable plows. The following are examples of the most common workplace accidents
involving heavy machinery:
 Getting pinned by heavy machinery
 Getting caught between vehicles backing up
 Falling when getting on or off of a piece of machinery
 Getting struck by a piece of machinery
 Being pinned by a piece of heavy equipment
 Getting crushed under a collapsing structure
 Slipping or falling into unguarded machinery
 Mention amputations, crushing injuries, etc. from unguarded / poorly designed
machines

How can Heavy Machinery Accidents be Prevented?

When it comes to preventing any type of workplace accident, common sense goes a long
way. Employers must provide the necessary training and personal protective equipment
(PPE), and employees must follow the safety protocols and use the recommended PPE
based on the equipment they are using. In addition, employers are urged to take the
following steps to prevent workplace injuries involving heavy machinery:
 Keep all PPE well-maintained: In addition to ensuring that the appropriate PPE is
available and used by all employees, employers must ensure that it is in good
condition. PPE, such as helmets, gloves, boots, and goggles that are old, dirty, or
broken are less likely to effectively protect the worker from hazards associated with
heavy machinery. PPE that is no longer effective must be repaired or replaced
immediately.
 Workstations should be kept clean: If there are spills, hazards, or other
environmental issues that could jeopardize the safety of the workstation, these
should be cleaned up as soon as possible. Maintaining a clean and orderly
workstation can prevent accidents and may encourage other workers to do so as
well.
 Make sure that the appropriate safety guards and sensors are used: When using
heavy equipment, understanding how the safety guards and sensors work, and using
 them correctly, is just as important as operating the machinery. All pieces of heavy
machinery have safety guards that are meant to prevent serious accidents.
Employers must inspect the machinery on a regular basis and make the necessary
repairs or replacements. Older equipment should be updated with the appropriate
safety systems or replaced with newer equipment.
 Provide safety training: Employers have a responsibility to ensure that all workers
are trained and understand the safety protocols for the equipment they are using.
This should include everything from the appropriate PPE they should be using to the
correct way to turn on, operate, and turn off the machinery. Employees should not
be permitted to use the machinery until they have completed the necessary training.
If new and improved training methods and technology have been established,
employers must update their training programs.
 Document all safety issues: Employers are urged to keep detailed safety logs about
machines that have been serviced, and information about accidents and workplace
injuries. This information can be used to help employers take the necessary safety
precautions to prevent these events from occurring in the future.
The following are best practices that employees can follow to avoid serious injuries caused
by heavy machinery accidents:
 Use the appropriate machine guards to protect workers from debris that can strike
workers while the machine is in use.
 Wear the necessary PPE for the machine that is being used, including goggles, ear
plugs, face shields, gloves, and/or hard hats. A failure to wear the safety gear
required for a specific type of heavy machinery can increase the risk of a serious
injury.
 Only use machinery after being properly trained. All workers must be trained on how
to properly turn on, operate, and turn off any tool or piece of heavy machinery that
they are responsible for operating. In some cases, workers must obtain specific
licensure, or receive hands-on training before he or she can be allowed to use a
piece of heavy equipment. Failure to complete the required training can lead to
serious injuries.
 Always confirm that the machine is powered off and secured against hazardous
motion before proceeding with any maintenance or repairs.
 Consider the energy hazards that may be associated with the machine, including
electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic.
 Use individual locks and tags when locking and tagging out equipment. Employees
should not remove locks that do not belong to them.
 Always inspect machinery before using it. Machinery that needs to be repaired must
be tagged and removed from service.
 Do not interfere with machinery that is moving. Machine workers can get distracted,
and if another worker gets too close to the machine that is being operated, he or she
can be struck by the moving parts.
Common Accidents Involving Moving Machinery

Working with moving machinery can be dangerous, particularly if that machinery is in a poor
state of repair and employees have not received adequate training. Moving machinery
accident claims typically relate to injuries to the hands, fingers, limbs and eyes:
 Hands and arms can become trapped in fast-moving machinery, with the potential to
cause serious crushing injuries.
 Loose fitting and inappropriate clothing, or dangling jewellery can easily become
trapped in moving machinery, causing an accident and injury.
 Poorly maintained machinery can result in flying debris, which can lead to eye
injuries.
 Accidents can also happen when employees are asked to clear blockages or carry out
running repairs on moving machinery.
Accidents involving moving machinery are common in the manufacturing, warehousing and
agricultural industries, and can have serious, long term effects on the victim’s daily life.
Financial compensation is awarded to help accident victims pay rehabilitation and medical
fees, as well as compensating them for the pain and suffering caused by their injury. Farleys
have a dedicated team of personal injury solicitors who specialise in securing compensation
for work accident claims.