Most Common Faulty Equipment on the Job

There is a wide range of on-the-job risks for Kentucky workers. Creating a safe workplace should be the goal of every company; however, many companies take shortcuts to save money or simply because they are lazy. This results in faulty equipment all over the workplace.

Faulty workplace equipment is one of the many hazards employees contend with regularly. The infamous hazardous professions, such as construction work, are often brought to mind when talking about defective equipment. Injuries, both minor and severe, can be caused by unsafe and faulty equipment. If you are injured by defective equipment at your workplace, seek the services of a Kentucky workplace injury lawyer as soon as possible.

TYPES OF FAULTY EQUIPMENT AT THE WORKPLACE

Faulty equipment may lead to injuries of varying degrees, no matter what kind of equipment it is. Some defective equipment injuries may even result in serious injuries. Hazardous equipment that frequently causes workplace injuries include:

• Manufacturing Equipment
• Ladders and Scaffolding
• Vehicles Including Trucks, Vans, Tractors, Forklift Trucks, Cranes, Etc.
• Power Tools
• Furniture Like Office Chairs and Desks
• Bladed Tools
• Conveyor Belts
• Nail Guns
• Power Saws
• Power Presses
• Pressurized Gas Containers
• Cleaning Equipment

To pursue a claim for compensation in the event of damage caused by faulty equipment, employees have options: 

• Seek workers’ compensation benefits in Kentucky, and/or 
• File a third-party injury lawsuit, most often against the manufacturer of the defective equipment.

SOME OF THE MOST COMMON ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY THE USE OF FAULTY EQUIPMENT

Faulty machinery, tools, and equipment can result in accidents and injuries in the workplace due to various causes. The majority of work equipment incidents may be attributed to the following: 

• Defective or Dangerous Work Equipment: Equipment such as a machine guard that is missing or insufficient, or an electrical shock or burn produced by faulty electrical equipment can cause accidents and injuries.
• Falls: In many instances, falls occur because the equipment is not appropriate for the task at hand, such as platforms and scaffolding that are too short.
• Sharp Edges or Damaged Components: Work-related injuries caused by damaged components or sharp edges on machinery.
• Improper Contact: Contact with heated components of work equipment or loud equipment without appropriate ear protection, resulting in hearing loss.
• Lack of training: Employees’ lack of training makes it difficult to handle and operate the work equipment safely.
• Improper Usage of Equipment: There are also work equipment injuries resulting from improper usage. For workers to effectively use the equipment, it must be in proper functioning condition. Additionally, correct use is essential to ensure the safety of workers. Improper equipment conditions or lack of worker safety can often lead to injuries.
• Inappropriate Usage: Using the wrong tools for the job may lead to harm. This may be the result of inadequate employee training or inappropriate equipment supplied by the company.

DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS REGARDING MACHINERY

Employers have certain legal responsibilities regarding workplace health and safety intended to ensure their employees’ workplace health and safety. In Kentucky, these are enforced via regulations including, but not limited to, 803 KAR 2:600. These regulations are implemented to safeguard employees.

To put it simply, there are regulations in place for the workplace to ensure that the workers are kept safe and provided with proper equipment. Following are a few of the steps employers should take to remain compliant:

• Conduct frequent risk assessments and identify any hazards that the employee may be exposed to while utilizing work equipment.
• Ensure all employees are properly trained and informed for utilizing work equipment (emergency stop controls, guards, warning signs, etc.)
• Ensure that appropriate work equipment such as safety boots, safety goggles, ear protectors, safety helmets, and protective gloves are available to workers while utilizing the equipment.

If you have suffered an injury due to faulty equipment in the workplace in Kentucky, contact Saladino & Schaaf right away.

Our team of experienced lawyers handles cases involving workers’ compensation and personal injury. Our Kentucky workplace accident and personal injury attorneys have decades of experience in resolving a wide variety of claims, including those that involve defective equipment.

If you suffer an injury due to equipment malfunction, our lawyers can help you determine whether or not you have a third-party claim. To ensure you receive all necessary medical care, the workers’ compensation team at Saladino & Schaaf will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. We have years of experience representing Kentuckians in workplace injury claims. Contact us online or call us at 270-444-0406 (Paducah) or 270-753-1529 (Murray) today to schedule your free consultation.