August 24, 2010
Employers who fail to ensure their staff are provided with sufficient sunscreen whilst working outdoors could be scorched by employment law following a recent Australian case. The ruling concerned workers who contracted skin cancer after long hours under the midday sun. An Australian court found their employer liable for damages after the workers successfully sued for not providing adequate sun protection. In the UK, employers are bound by a number of health and safety regulations which aim to stop such preventable incidents. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations state: "Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of the employees to which they are exposed whilst at work." In addition, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations state: "An employer is to guard against specific risks to their employees and must make all relevant health and safety information available to their work force". And finally, the Personnel Protective Equipment at Work Regulations state: "An employer must provide appropriate personnel protective equipment and training in its usage to their employees wherever there is a risk to health and safety". If you believe your employer has failed to follow these regulations, and your health has suffered as a result, consult with solicitors today and see how you can challenge their negligent actions for compensation.