Defective Machinery Accidents

Updated: November 23, 2025

Reviewed by: Joe Johnson

Updated: November 23, 2025

Reviewed by: Joe Johnson

Accident at Work Lawyer

Joe is an Accident at Work Lawyer from one of our panel law firms.

Accidents at work due to defective machinery can be very serious. Machinery has to adhere to a certain standard so that it is safe to use. What’s more, your employer must conduct regular checks and tests to prevent heavy machinery accidents. 

What Are Heavy Machinery Accidents? 

Heavy machinery accidents are any accidents involving large mechanical equipment. This could be equipment such as conveyor belts and presses, or vehicles such as cranes, forklifts, excavators, bulldozers or heavy-duty trucks.  

The main industries where heavy machinery accidents are likely to happen include: 

• Plants 

• Processing and assembly lines 

• Factories 

• Quarrying and mining 

• Agriculture, forestry, and fishing  

These industries are affected more, as they involve a lot of machinery work. 

What are the Most Common Types of Heavy Machinery Accidents? 

According to HSE, common mechanical hazards include: 

Crushing accidents 

These types of accidents can happen when someone is crushed between two parts of a machine which move towards each other, or where one object travels towards a stationary object, such as a wall.  

Impact accidents 

These accidents often involve someone being struck by machinery with moving parts or being hit by ejected parts or material. 

Cutting or severing accidents  

Machinery can have sharp edges, causing cuts and severing injuries. Pointed parts may also cause punctures to the skin.  

What Is a Defective Piece of Equipment? 

Machinery carries certain risks of being defective. The main things that can be defective and therefore at risk of causing machine accidents include: 

• Machine guards. Guards are used to enclose dangerous parts. If machine guards are defective, this can lead to injury.  
• Stop controls. If effective emergency stop controls aren’t in place, this could lead to accidents. Stop controls should be within easy reach.  
• Electrical equipment. If not maintained correctly, electrical equipment could cause electric shock or burns.  
• Ladders. To help prevent accidents, the condition of the ladder should be checked before use.
• Steps and scaffolding. Substandard scaffolding equipment could cause scaffolding to collapse, leading to serious injuries. 
• Inadequate PPE. Your employer is responsible for providing suitable PPE to those exposed to risk.  
• Hand and power tools. Employers should ensure that tools are in a safe condition.  
• Safety ropes and harnesses. Employers are legally required to ensure that fall arrest equipment is in good repair. 
• Pallet trucks and forklifts. Defective vehicles, e.g. broken or poorly maintained forklift trucks could lead to an accident. 
• Packaging machinery. Packaging machinery such as fill and seal machines could cause injuries if guards are inadequate, for example.  

What Injuries are Caused by Defective Equipment? 

Defective machinery accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries. Ranging from minor injuries such as strains and sprains, to more severe injuries, including lacerations, broken bones, electrical injuries, burns and serious crush injuries.  

Some defective equipment accidents can lead to life-changing injuries, including sight or hearing loss, amputation, serious back injury, brain injury and even fatalities.  

Your Employer’s Responsibility: Preventing Hazards in the Workplace 

Your employer has to ensure that machinery is safe to use. There are regulations in place to ensure that your employer keeps the machinery safe. These regulations also ensure your employer keeps the staff safe from machinery injuries. 

Heavy Machinery Accidents Regulations 

To prevent machinery injuries, your employer is responsible for making sure that dangerous machinery and equipment is in good working order. Your employer must adhere to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). This means that they must make sure the machinery is safe to use. 

To prevent heavy machinery accidents, your employer must also make sure: 

• Only employees who have had the correct training can use the machinery. 

• The machinery is safe for use and has regular inspections. 

• Machinery has the correct safety measures equipped (including warning and start stop buttons). 

• Employees use the correct machinery for the correct task. 

Your employer must also make sure that equipment they do not directly supply is safe to use and is working correctly. However, this is only the case, if it is in a workplace that they are responsible for. 

Heavy Machinery Accidents Training 

You may also be able to claim compensation if you’ve suffered machinery injuries after your employer provided you with incorrect or inadequate training. Everyone who uses dangerous machinery must have thorough training to ensure that they are safe whilst doing so. 

We understand that you may feel uneasy about claiming against your employer, but they will be covered. All employers are required to have employer’s liability insurance. This is designed to cover the costs of heavy machinery accidents. 

PAT Testing 

Portable appliance testing (PAT) is a safety precaution. It ensures the electrical appliances used by places of work are safe for staff to use and will not cause machinery injuries to employees.  

This is outlined in the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), which outlines the processes employers must put in place to avoid machine accidents. 

PAT testing law requires all equipment to be protected and regularly maintained, and, ultimately, safe to use. Equipment must be PAT tested regularly, to make sure employees who use the equipment are kept safe. 

EU Regulations 

There are EU regulations when it comes to using dangerous equipment in the workplace. These regulations prevent workers from suffering machine accidents. Under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 and 2011, all new machinery that is purchased and used in a workplace should: 

• Have a CE mark – this makes sure that the machinery complies with the relevant EU regulations. 

• Have a declaration of conformity – this is the manufacturer confirming that it meets the relevant EU regulations. 

• Include English instructions – this allows employees to fully understand the implications and dangers of the equipment they’re using, to prevent unnecessary machine accidents. 

If your employer has not ensured that the machinery meets these regulations, and you have had suffered machinery injuries, then you may be able to make a faulty machinery claim. 

Agency Workers 

If you are an agency worker, you have just as much right to claim compensation for heavy machinery accidents as permanent staff. Your employer has a duty of care to every employee, whether that be full time, part time, permanent or temporary. This includes agency workers.  

Agency workers must also go through the same amount of training as a permanent staff member. This is to ensure that they can safely use the machinery without the danger of machine accidents. 

How We Can Help 

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with expert solicitors who deal with machinery injuries at work. This includes heavy machinery accidents involving dangerous or defective equipment. They are extremely well placed to help you get the compensation you may be entitled to. 

Contact us today using our online form or by calling us on 0800 182 2186 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.