Many industrial accidents occur due to the operation of defective equipment and tools in the workplace.  Defective equipment can include hand tools used for welding, hammering and other activities, industrial equipment including rotators, conveyors, feeder belts, and transportation equipment like fork lifts, cranes, hoists and derricks used in the workplace.

Injury from Defective Equipment

The use of defective equipment can lead to a range of head and body injuries, including injuries to the eyes and face. There can be falls from defective stairways and ladders, and injuries caused when malfunctioning loading and unloading equipment is used for lifting and lowering heavy loads. Any defective component that is used in the assembly and disassembly of a crane can cause serious crane accidents, including tip overs or collapses. Electric equipment that does not come with proper insulation can cause electrocution, burns and electric shock.

Defective equipment is often mentioned as a personal injury or wrongful death claim in a construction accident. Defective crane components can affect the reliability of the assembly, and consequently, the operations of the crane, leading to serious accidents. Even concrete girders, beams and defective scaffolding can cause serious construction accidents that can be traced to negligence on the part of the company responsible for manufacturing the component. Defective tools that are used by workers can lead to severed limbs, crushing injuries, and fractures.  Malfunctioning nail guns can cause ricocheting of nails, resulting in severe eye and head injuries.

Liability for Defective Equipment

When a worker is injured by defective equipment in the workplace, the manufacturer of the equipment may be named in a lawsuit to claim damages for the injury. If the equipment was rented, then the company that rented out the equipment may also be liable. Companies that are in charge of oversight of work are required to make sure that any equipment being used by the workers meets all recommended standards and specifications. OSHA also provides guidelines for industry tools and equipment specifications. These are not restricted to powered tools and machinery, but also to regular equipment found around the workplace, like ladders and stairways. For instance, temporary stairways on a construction site are required to have landings that are at least 22 inches wide and 30 inches deep, at every 12 feet of rise, and stairways must be clear of projections. Fixed ladders also have minimum weight support capabilities that they must meet before they are put to use in a workplace. Employers are required to provide equipment that meets these specifications.