How Are Accidents Caused by Inadequate Training in the Workplace?
By Emily Mochi. Last updated on 26th April 2023. If you’ve experienced inadequate training in the workplace that has led to you suffering an injury this guide is for you. This article will explore the topic of untrained employees and the repercussions of this. Failing to implement training techniques in the workplace can cause accidents, so this guide will discuss your options if you’ve sustained injuries of this sort.
Inadequate training in the workplace
Before we begin this guide, you may have some questions:
- What happens when employees are not trained properly?
- How do you prove an employer’s negligence?
- Can I sue my employer for lack of training?
This article will explore examples of inadequate training in the workplace and the consequences that can happen. Employers have a duty of care to safeguard and protect employees. This can be achieved with proper training being one of the main aspects of this.
Untrained employees create dangerous work environments. So this guide will explain how employers can prevent this.
Get In Touch With Our Team
If you’ve experienced inadequate training in the workplace and have suffered injuries as a result, our team of advisers are happy to chat with you about your situation. Once an adviser has offered you free advice, you are under no obligation to continue with our services, you should be able to make informed decisions.
However, if you would like to pursue an accident at work claim, they can connect you with our experienced panel of personal injury solicitors to discuss No Win No Fee agreements with you. We suggest you get in touch with our team of advisers by:
- Giving them a call on 020 3870 4868. An adviser is happy to offer you 24/7 free legal advice.
- Starting your claim online – an adviser will get back to you at your earliest convenience.
- Chatting with an adviser through our live chat pop-up box for an instant reply.
Services And Information
- Everything You Need To Know About Inadequate Training In The Workplace
- What Is Inadequate Training In The Workplace?
- What Is Appropriate Training In The Workplace?
- Training And Information Employers Should Provide
- Further Guidelines On Workplace Health And Safety
- Accident At Work Compensation Calculator
- What Injuries Could Be Caused By Inadequate Training In The Workplace?
- How Inadequate Training In The Workplace Can Cause Injuries
- Types Of Workplace Accidents
- Time Limits To Claim For Accidents Caused By Inadequate Training In The Workplace
- Inadequate Training In The Workplace Claims On A No Win No Fee Basis
- Other Information
- FAQs About Training In The Workplace
Everything You Need To Know About Inadequate Training In The Workplace
As mentioned above, this article is going to explore the repercussions of inadequate training in the workplace. It will look at how an inadequate training injury can occur, and how employers can implement training to prevent having unhappy employees. There will be a section on health and safety training, as well as a table providing personal injury claims calculator figures for example purposes.
The guide will also discuss the injuries that could be caused due to inadequate training at work injury and how they can occur. Additionally, a section on the personal injury claims time limit will explain how long you have to make a claim after suffering an injury due to lack of training.
If you’re wondering whether you’re eligible to make an inadequate training at work injury claim, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of advisers. They are happy to discuss your situation and help you gain more clarity.
What Is Inadequate Training In The Workplace?
If employers do not properly train their employees, injuries could be sustained and employers could be liable for claims made against them. Inadequate training in the workplace can lead to unhappy employees, leading to poor performance as they struggle to progress due to a lack of training.
Furthermore, poorly trained employees may feel they are undervalued, leading to a reduction in productivity and the likeliness of searching elsewhere for a job. Therefore, inadequate training in the workplace isn’t just unsafe, it’s also likely to increase your staff turnover and reduce employees’ job performance and morale.
Providing employees with proper health and safety training is a requirement in the workplace. Training staff on health and safety issues and prevention methods can allow for a much more safe and secure work environment.
What Is Appropriate Training In The Workplace?
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states that all employers have a duty of care to protect and safeguard their employees as much as reasonably possible. This could include providing proper training to ensure employees know how to operate machinery, climb ladders, and anything else that they need to be trained for.
Appropriate training in the workplace means showing people what to do or what not to do. It also means showing employees how to safely carry out tasks so they don’t suffer an injury. Not all occupations will require employees to be trained in all manner of health and safety. Some occupations may need minimal training, and others may need qualified employees to carry out the task.
How Important Is Effective Training In The Workplace?
Inadequate training in the workplace can result in poor performance with employees experiencing increased levels of work-related stress. In more physically demanding roles, it could also lead to a number of injuries.
For example, in some workplaces employees will be expected to carry heavy loads as part of their role. There are certain techniques and guidelines that must be followed and enforced to reduce the risk of injury.
If your employer does not supply you with any official training in carrying out manual handling tasks but still wants you to perform them, then this is a breach of their duty of care. If injuries are then sustained as a result, this is a good example of employer negligence.
The graph below has been taken from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website. It has been generated using statistics from Reporting of Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). This is the body that employers are required to report workplace accidents to.
As you can see from the graph, injuries associated with handling, lifting, and carrying were the second most common amongst reported injuries over the 2020/21 period. The information that isn’t included is what percentage of these injuries are also caused by inadequate training in the workplace.
However, it does serve as a good illustration of just how common these kinds of injuries can occur.
Inadequate training in the workplace statistics graph
You may unaware of this, but it is not just physical injuries that you can claim compensation for. It’s possible that you could suffer from psychological damage as a result of the accident that injured you.
To give an example, you may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Alternatively, you may develop a phobia or other mental side effects that made it difficult for you to perform certain everyday tasks. You also deserve to be compensated for these disruptions to your life.
Training And Information Employers Should Provide
Every employee is unique with different skills, so some may require further training than others. Employers should check with each employee that they have understood the health and safety training. If they don’t, they could be left with untrained employees who have made little progress.
Inadequate training can include:
- Lack of manual handling training (for jobs that require this).
- Failing to show employees the fire exits and fire escape routes.
- Not showing employees how to safely climb ladders or other high places.
If you haven’t been provided sufficient health and safety training in the workplace and have suffered an injury, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our advisers. They can have a chat with you about your situation.
If they can see that your injury may be awarded compensation they can offer to connect you with a solicitor from our panel. Any case a solicitor from our panel takes on will be conducted on a No Win No Fee basis.
Further Guidelines On Workplace Health And Safety
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states that all employers have a duty of care to safeguard and protect employees, including the provision of adequate health and safety training. Therefore it may be a good idea to train employees on:
- Hazards in the workplace (things that could harm employees)
- Risks (the likelihood that harm will occur)
- Measures in place to deal with the hazards and risks
- Following emergency procedures
It’s important employers check that the training they’ve provided is effective and helpful. The health and safety training should take place during working hours and be free to employees. Keeping a record of who you’ve trained will help keep you informed on who still needs to be trained.
Another piece of legislation surrounding guidelines on workplace health and safety is the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Providing employees with necessary health and safety information is vital so that workplaces are as safe as they can be. Although an employer can implement safety procedures and carry out risk assessments if employees fail to act accordingly then workplace accidents could happen.
Accident At Work Compensation Calculator
A personal injury claims calculator can provide a rough estimate of what an injury may attract in a personal injury claim. However, every injury sustained from workplace accidents is different. This means that different compensation amounts are awarded for each unique case. Also, compensation calculators only give a value for the injury. With personal injury claims, there are two types of damages you could be compensated for.
Therefore, we have created a table compiled of compensation figures taken from the Judicial College Guidelines. This is to portray how much compensation some people could receive for their injuries. This table is purely for example purposes and figures may vary.
| Part of Body: | Level of Injury: | Compensation Amount: | Injuries may Include: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Injuries | Total or Effective Loss of Both Hands (a) | £140,660 to £201,490 | Serious injuries resulting in major damage to both hands, leaving them useless. |
| Arm Injuries | Severe (a) | £96,160 to £130,930 | Injuries that don’t need amputation but are extremely serious, leaving the individual unable to use their arm. |
| Arm Injuries | Injuries Resulting in Permanent and Substantial Disablement (b) | £39,170 to £59,860 | Serious fractures on one or both forearms where there is significant disability. |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Severe (a) | £59,860 to £100,670 | Permanent effects which prevent the individual from working and functioning at pre-trauma level. |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Moderately Severe (b) | £23,150 to £59,860 | Still struggling to cope with working and maintaining relationships but there is a better prognosis and a likelihood of recovery with professional help. |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | Moderate (c) | £8,180 to £23,150 | The recovery has largely occurred persistent effects aren’t seriously disabling. |
| Wrist Injuries | Complete Loss of Function (a) | £47,620 to £59,860 | Complete loss of wrist function, for example where an arthrodesis has been carried out. |
| Wrist Injuries | Significant permanent disability (b) | £24,500 to £39,170 | Permanent disability, but some useful movement remains. |
| Elbow Injuries | Severe (a) | £39,170 to £54,830 | A severely disabling injury. |
| Elbow Injuries | Less Severe Injuries (b) | £15,650 to £32,010 | Injuries causing function impairment but not involving major surgery or significant disability. |
General damages compensate for the injury itself and the mental and physical effect it has on you. The awarded bracket is determined by the severity of your injuries and how long your treatment will last.
Special damages compensate for the financial impact the injury has had on your life, such as a loss of earnings due to taking sick leave from work. You must provide evidence in order to receive special damages, for example, you could provide bus tickets to prove you travelled to and from medical appointments.
If you’d like free legal advice regarding personal injury claims and how much compensation you could be awarded, feel free to contact our team of advisers. They’re available 24/7 and would be happy to have a chat with you regarding your situation.
What Injuries Could Be Caused By Inadequate Training In The Workplace?
There is a range of injuries that could be caused by a lack of health and safety in the workplace. The accidents and injuries that can occur are:
- Slips, trips, and falls: These types of accidents usually occur when there is no wet floor sign near a spillage. This can cause injuries such as a broken arm, broken leg, or a broken ankle.
- Falling from a height: These accidents typically happen when a ladder is faulty. This could be due to a lack of regular safety checks. This accident can cause injuries such as a broken ankle, broken foot, broken leg, broken arm, or broken wrist.
- Mishandling machinery: If an employee isn’t trained correctly in handling machinery, serious accidents can happen. This type of accident could lead to arm, hand, foot, finger, or leg injuries that could result in amputation.
If you’ve suffered injuries due to your employer failing to implement training, you may be able to make a personal injury claim. You can contact our friendly team of advisers who are available 24/7 to learn more about your situation and offer free legal advice.
Once an adviser has learned more about your injury, they can pass you onto our expert panel of solicitors who can begin your personal injury claim and discuss how much compensation you could receive for your injuries.
How Inadequate Training In The Workplace Can Cause Injuries
As stated above, inadequate training in the workplace can cause significantly debilitating injuries. Some injuries can even lead to amputation, which could be extremely life-changing for an employee. As an employer, taking the time to ensure you’ve trained employees could be the difference between safe employees and employees that are at risk of sustaining severe injuries.
Common ways in which employees may suffer injuries due to not receiving proper health and safety training are:
- Operating machinery
- Not being provided with proper safety equipment
- Manual handling
- Working from heights
- Moving machinery, such as conveyor belts.
In order to make any personal injury claim, you must first of all work out if you were owed a duty of care. Then this duty must have been breached. An employer not providing appropriate health and safety training when needed could be a breach. Then there must be causation. You must have been caused an injury or illness due to this negligence in order to be able to claim.
Types Of Workplace Accidents
To ensure this guide covers are many types of workplace accidents as possible, here are some more workplace accidents and injuries that can occur:
- Chemical burn injuries due to inadequate training in how to handle liquids that could pose a danger to employees.
- Medical conditions and health issues occurring due to a lack of protective safety equipment and training, for example when working with asbestos.
Injuries ranging from cuts to life-changing injuries from mishandling machinery due to a lack of proper training.
- Electric shocks due to lack of training on how to properly use the equipment.
- Injuries, such as back problems, being sustained due to not being trained properly on how to safely lift heavy objects/equipment.
These accidents can cause significantly debilitating injuries. This is why it’s of extreme importance that employers ensure they’ve trained employees as much as reasonably possible to be safe in the workplace. If not, employers could be at risk of having a personal injury claim made against them.
Time Limits To Claim For Accidents Caused By Inadequate Training In The Workplace
Generally, the time limit to claim for accidents caused by inadequate training in the workplace is three years. That’s three years from the exact date of your accident, or three years from when you became aware that your injuries were due to your employer’s negligence.
If you’re under 18, the three-year time limit begins on your 18th birthday. However, a friend/family member can act as a litigation friend to pursue the claim for you before you turn 18.
If you’re mentally incapacitated, the three-year time limit begins from when you commence your recovery. Otherwise, someone you trust can become a litigation friend and file the personal injury claim before your recovery commences.
The three-year time limit is strict. So why wait to begin your personal injury claim? Contact our team of advisers today to discuss your situation and assess how much compensation you could receive.
Evidence For Claims Caused By A Lack Of Training In The Workplace
As part of the workplace accident claims process, you should gather evidence to prove that employer negligence occurred. For example, it can help demonstrate whether you were injured due to a lack of training in the workplace.
Examples of evidence you could gather include:
- CCTV footage: This can show how and where the accident occurred.
- Witness contact information: Any person who saw the accident happen can be contacted to provide a statement at a later date.
- Accident book: Having a record of your injury and accident can be used as proof. An accident book is a legal requirement if there are over ten employees in the business.
- Copies of medical records: Having medical proof of your injury, such as an X-ray showing a fractured or broken bone, can help to illustrate the harm you suffered.
Please speak to a member of our team for further information on the evidence you could acquire when making a personal injury claim due to inadequate training in the workplace.
Inadequate Training In The Workplace Claims On A No Win No Fee Basis
Our panel of personal injury solicitors are happy to discuss No Win No Fee agreements with you when you begin your claim. No Win No Fee agreements are popular among claimants as you don’t have to pay your solicitor’s fees if you lose. A No Win No Fee agreement, or Conditional Fee Agreement, is a contract between you and your solicitor.
If your case loses, you don’t have to pay any of the fees your solicitor has worked for. If your case succeeds, your solicitor will take a small, legally capped percentage of your compensation. This percentage will be discussed with you beforehand and is to reimburse your solicitor for their hard work.
There’s little to lose, so why hesitate? We recommend you get in touch with our team of advisers by:
- Calling them on 020 3870 4868. Our advisers are available 24/7 to offer free legal advice regarding your claim.
- Start your personal injury claim online. An adviser will get back to you at whatever time suits you.
- Chat with an adviser through our live chat pop-up box for an instant reply.
Other Information
How do you Claim if Injured at Work in the UK?: If you’ve suffered a workplace injury that wasn’t your fault, our guide explains how you can make a personal injury claim to receive compensation.
What Happens if you Don’t Report an Accident at Work?: If you’ve suffered an injury at work that you haven’t reported, our guide discusses whether you can still make a personal injury claim.
What are my Rights After an Accident at Work in the UK?: Our article discusses what rights you have after suffering an accident at work in the UK.
Advice After a Foot Fracture: If you’ve suffered a broken foot injury, this NHS patient information leaflet includes the treatment plan and recovery time for a foot fracture.
How do I Know if I’ve Broken a Bone?: Do you suspect you may have a broken bone injury? This NHS guide explores the common signs and treatment for a bone fracture.
Broken Arm or Wrist: This NHS article shows signs, treatment plans, and recovery stages for a broken arm or wrist injury.
FAQs About Training In The Workplace
What happens when employees are not trained properly?
If an employee isn’t trained properly, they are likely to sustain injuries from accidents.
How does training affect performance in the workplace?
Employees who don’t receive adequate training will be less productive as they haven’t been trained how to carry out tasks. Properly trained employees will complete tasks safely and confidently.
How does it affect the establishment if employees are poorly trained?
If employees receive inadequate training in the workplace, they will be less productive and competent (as stated above). This will lead to lost profits for the business.
Thank you for reading our guide on inadequate training in the workplace.
Writer HL
Checked by IE.
