What are dangerous health and safety practices?

If you're working for - or even with - people who like to cut corners when it comes to safety, there are many different ways for them to do so. These are some of the most common dangerous health and safety practices we have come across:

• Inadequate workplace training: where workers aren't trained in the safe use of equipment
• Non-adherence to health and safety measures: such as removing safety guards from machinery and failing to provide personal protection equipment
• Co-worker negligence: where a colleague or colleagues flout the safety rules your employer has trained you all to follow
• Dangerous practices in the workplace: such as poor lighting, blocked exits and unsafe floors
• Poor manual handling: due to a lack of training in the proper ways to lift and handle heavy or hazardous objects

What do I do if I have been injured by dangerous health and safety practices?

Health and safety laws exist to keep everyone safe in the workplace. Yet the sad truth is that many firms allow or even encourage dangerous health and safety practices where these can save them time or money. You may also find yourself working with colleagues who don't follow proper safety practices: either to save time or because they simply don't see the need for things like goggles, safety rails and scaff tags.

If you've been injured at work due to either of these scenarios, you need to talk to a specialist injury claims solicitor as soon as possible about making a No Win No Fee claim.

More on the health and safety regulations that protect all UK workers

What is employers' liability insurance?

This is an insurance policy that the law requires every employer to have. It ensures that money is available to compensate workers for illness or injuries that were not their fault. Read more about employers liability insurance.

How much is my dangerous practice injury claim worth?

Every dangerous health and safety practice injury claim is different, and the final amount of compensation you could receive depends upon the seriousness of the injury, as well as how much it might affect your ability to work in the future, and how much any rehabilitation might cost.

However, we take almost all accident at work cases on a No Win No Fee basis, and will often seek interim payments to help you avoid financial hardship if you're prevented from working by your injuries.

How long have I got to make a claim for dangerous practice injuries?

There's a general rule that claims must be brought within three years from the date date the accident at work occurred.

However, there are exceptions, such as whether or not the injured person has diminished capacity as a result of the accident, whether the accident happened abroad or whether or not the accident resulted in death. It's therefore important that you speak to a solicitor specialising in accidents at work as soon as you are able.

Why choose Slater and Gordon?

Every employee has the right to work in a safe and secure environment, without worrying about being put at unnecessary risk by negligent employers.

Slater and Gordon will provide a sympathetic, professional and honest approach to people who come to us with warehouse and factory injuries. Our industry-leading team of solicitors have earned top ranking from independent legal guides (Chambers and Partners, and the Legal 500), as well as esteemed positions within the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).

We know that moving forward involves more than just legal advice and compensation, which is why we work closely with medical professionals to determine the impact of your injuries long-term and identify any additional support and rehabilitation you may need.

If you've been injured in a due to dangerous work practices, contact us today to speak to an injury claims solicitor.