Inadequate PPE Injury Compensation Claim Guide

Introduction

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is vital to protect workers from hazards such as noise, dust, chemicals, sharp tools and heavy machinery. If your employer failed to provide suitable PPE, or supplied defective or inadequate equipment, you may have grounds to claim compensation for any injuries you suffered.

This page explains when employers are liable, what evidence you will need, and how to start a No Win No Fee claim.

At a glance

Around 18,000 workers reported injuries or illness from exposure to harmful substances between 2021/22 and 2023/24, a rate of 57 per 100,000 workers (Source: WAAC analysis of the HSE LFS data published 12/2024)
You can claim if your employer failed to provide adequate PPE or training in its use.
Common PPE-related claims involve hearing loss, respiratory conditions, eye injuries, burns, skin disease, or cuts and fractures.
Evidence that strengthens a claim includes risk assessments, PPE issue logs, training records, medical notes and witness statements.
Compensation can cover pain and suffering, lost income, medical costs, rehabilitation and ongoing care needs.
Most inadequate PPE claims are handled under No Win No Fee agreements.

Report the injury and list the PPE provided or missing. Photograph defects or poor fit. Keep emails requesting PPE, training notes and any policy showing what should have been issued.

John Kushnick

Legal Operations Director (NAL)

What is inadequate PPE?

Inadequate PPE refers to protective equipment that is missing, unsuitable, poorly maintained, or not fit for the hazards present. Examples include ear defenders that do not reduce noise levels enough, safety goggles that do not protect against splashes, or gloves that fail to protect against chemicals. In some cases, PPE may be provided but workers are not trained to use it correctly.

Common injuries caused by inadequate PPE

Hearing loss: from poor-quality or missing ear protection in noisy environments.
Respiratory illness: from inadequate masks or respirators when working with dust, fumes or chemicals.
Eye injuries: from lack of goggles when working with metal, wood, chemicals or welding equipment.
Skin conditions: such as dermatitis from exposure to oils, cement or cleaning agents without proper gloves.
Cuts, burns and fractures: where hard hats, gloves or protective clothing were missing or defective.

External guidance: HSE: Personal protective equipment (PPE).

When is my employer liable?

Employers have a legal duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. Liability may arise if:

No PPE was provided for tasks that carried obvious risks.
PPE was unsuitable or not maintained in good condition.
Employers failed to provide training or supervision in its use.
Hazards were not risk assessed and controlled properly.

Employment status and inadequate PPE injury claims

If you were injured because suitable PPE wasn’t provided or enforced, you can usually claim regardless of your contract type. See how employment status affects your claim:

What should I do if I was injured due to inadequate PPE?

Seek medical treatment: ensure your injuries are properly treated and recorded.
Report the incident: make sure the accident is entered into the accident book and reported under RIDDOR where necessary.
Gather evidence: keep photographs of the equipment, copies of risk assessments, PPE logs and witness details. See How to gather evidence.
Get advice: speak to a solicitor with experience in PPE-related injury claims.

Am I eligible to claim?

You can usually claim if:

Your injury happened in the last 3 years, and
Your employer failed to provide suitable PPE or training, and
Medical evidence links your injury to the inadequate protection.

Not sure if you qualify? Start here: Do I have a claim?

How much compensation can I claim?

The value of a PPE-related injury claim depends on your individual circumstances. Compensation includes:

General damages: for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, valued with reference to the Judicial College Guidelines.
Special damages: for financial losses such as lost earnings, medical treatment, travel costs, rehabilitation, and ongoing care needs.

Our calculator uses the latest Judicial College Guidelines and accounts for multiple injuries and financial losses:

Calculate my claim

Evidence that strengthens PPE claims

Accident book entries or RIDDOR reports.
Medical notes, fit notes and hospital records.
Risk assessments identifying PPE requirements.
PPE issue logs showing what was or wasn’t provided.
Training and induction records.
Photographs of defective equipment.
Witness statements from colleagues.

The independent medical assessment

You will usually attend an independent medical assessment as part of your claim. The expert will review your history, assess your injuries and prepare a report that helps value your claim.

See: What happens during a medical appointment.

No Win No Fee PPE injury claims

Most inadequate PPE claims run on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and if your claim does not succeed you pay nothing. If your case is successful, a capped success fee is deducted from your compensation.

More detail: No Win No Fee explained.

FAQs

New to claims? Start with our work injury claim guide, or see the full work injury claim FAQs.

Can I claim if PPE was provided but not enforced?

Yes. If your employer failed to ensure PPE was used properly, they may still be liable.

What if the equipment was defective?

If faulty PPE caused your injury, you may be able to claim against your employer or the manufacturer under product liability law.

What if I am self-employed?

Self-employed contractors can often still claim if they were working under another organisation’s control and suffered injury due to inadequate PPE.

Have you been injured at work?

If you have been injured at work in the last 3 years, you may be able to claim financial compensation.

Find out more about making a work accident claim:

Do you qualify?
How much compensation could you get?
How does No Win, No Fee work?

About the author

Chris Salmon is a legal commentator and co-founder of Quittance Legal Services. He has written extensively about workplace accidents, employment rights and the claims process. Chris's work has been cited in national media and he regularly contributes practical guidance to help injured workers understand their options.

More about Chris and WAAC

Last reviewed October 2025 by Chris Salmon

External references

HSE: Personal protective equipment (PPE) - official guidance on selection and use of PPE.
HSE: A short guide to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (PDF) - overview of employer duties.
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 - the law requiring employers to provide PPE.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 - general employer duty to ensure safety at work.

Inadequate protective equipment claims