Which Regulations Cover Accidents at Work?

Which Regulations Cover Accidents at Work?

There are so many regulations covering accidents at work. Many of these regulations have been introduced and amended over time to keep up with the modern workplace. Employers should adhere to regulations to avoid paying out thousands of pounds in compensation to injured victims. There are regulations covering all different types of jobs and hazards.

Here is a list of just some of the regulations currently in place:

• The Working at Height Regulations;
• The Manual Handling Regulations;
• The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR);
• The Control of Noise at Work Regulations;
• The Working Time Regulations;
• Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations;
• Electricity at Work Regulations;
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER);
• The Control of Lead at Work Regulations;
• First Aid at Work Regulations; etc

Many of the regulations are self explanatory in the area that they cover – for example: The Working at Height Regulations cover working at height and The Control of Noise at Work Regulations cover noise at work. Other regulations are broader as they would cover a whole range of industries (such as the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations).

One important regulation is RIDDOR as noted above. RIDDOR places a legal duty on employers, the self employed and those in control of premises to report some work related accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences. This means that deaths must be reported as well as major injuries. There is also a duty to report an accident where an employee or self employed person is injured and as a result is unable to work at all or unable to work normally for more than 3 days (within 10 days).

You may be aware of The Working Time Regulations which covers the amount of time a person can legally work. An employee may be able to opt out of these regulations but they are in place to protect employees from exploitation.

As you will see, there are so many regulations for employers to comply with. If you have sustained injury at work then you may be entitled to claim compensation. Compliance with the regulations may not necessarily mean that an employer avoids liability; therefore it is essential that you seek independent legal advice. Do not hesitate to contact The Injury Lawyers today.