Gloves, goggles, hard hats, safety boots, hearing protection and harnesses only protect you if your employer supplies the right ones and shows you how to use them. This page explains the PPE rules in Ireland and how a claim works.
A no PPE claim is a personal injury claim against your employer where you were hurt because personal protective equipment (PPE) was not provided, was the wrong type, was worn out, or came without training.
The rules are in Part 2, Chapter 3 of the General Application Regulations 2007.
PPE is the last line of defence. Under Regulation 62, your employer must provide it where a risk cannot be avoided or reduced enough by collective measures, such as guards, extraction or barriers, or by changing how the work is organised.
Section 8(5) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 says safety measures must not cost employees money, so your employer cannot charge you for required PPE.
Keep the damaged or unsuitable item if you can, and photograph what was issued. Send a letter of claim to your employer within one month, as section 8 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 requires.
Everything after the first item is claimed as "special damages" in addition to the injury award, so keep every receipt, including for any PPE you bought yourself.
Contact us through our enquiry form, phone, or email. We’ll review your situation, answer your questions, and explain what to expect next. There’s no upfront fee to begin your claim.
Your case will be carefully reviewed by our legal team.
We assess the strength of your claim, advise on the documentation needed, and guide you through key steps such as attending an independent medical examination and preparing the information required for the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB).
Once you decide to move forward, we take care of everything. This includes gathering evidence, contacting the other party or their insurer, submitting your claim to the IRB, managing settlement discussions, and handling any court proceedings if needed.
Paul Kearney founded the practice and leads its personal injury work in Ireland. He is regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. Read Paul's profile.
We prepare your application to the Injuries Resolution Board, including the medical evidence, and advise you on any assessment before you decide whether to accept it.
You can meet us at any of our four offices, or deal with us by phone, email or video, wherever you live in Ireland.
There are no upfront fees. Before you go ahead, we set out in writing how legal costs work, as section 150 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 requires. No Win No Fee explained.
Possibly. Section 13 of the 2005 Act requires employees to use protective equipment correctly in line with their training, so your share of the blame will be looked at.
The questions are whether you were told the PPE was needed, trained to use it, and supervised. If a court finds you were partly at fault, compensation is reduced in proportion under section 34 of the Civil Liability Act 1961.
Where safety boots are required for the job, they are PPE that your employer must provide under Regulation 62, and section 8(5) of the 2005 Act says safety measures must not cost employees money. Keep any receipts for PPE you paid for yourself.
Yes. Regulation 66 requires PPE to be kept in good working order and replaced when necessary, and Regulation 63 requires equipment that suits the risk. Gloves that let chemicals through, goggles that fogged or a harness with a damaged strap can all be a breach.
No. Regulation 62 treats PPE as the fallback where a risk cannot be controlled by collective measures or by changing the work.
If a guard, extraction system or barrier would have prevented the injury, the claim can focus on that as well as on the PPE.
Section 8 of the 2005 Act applies an employer's safety duties to the temporary workers it uses, and section 8(5) says safety measures must not cost employees money. The claim is often against the business where you were placed, and sometimes the agency as well.
2 years from the date of the accident, or from the date you knew about the injury if that is later, under the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991. For conditions such as dermatitis that develop over time, the date of knowledge often matters.
Most workplace claims do. You apply with the application form, a medical report from the doctor who treated you and a fee of €45 online or €90 by post. Read how the Injuries Resolution Board works.
We can't give a figure until we have the medical evidence. The amount for the injury itself is set by the Personal Injuries Guidelines, adopted by the Judicial Council and in force since 24 April 2021. Lost earnings and treatment costs are claimed in addition.
Workplace claims are run by Paul Kearney, who founded the firm and is regulated by the Law Society of Ireland, with trainee solicitor John Deeney. We have offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Letterkenny.
No. There are no upfront fees. Before you go ahead, we give you clear written terms explaining how legal costs work, as section 150 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 requires. Read No Win No Fee explained.
Regulated by the Law Society of Ireland
Kearney Law handles only personal injury and clinical negligence claims.
We act for clients across Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Letterkenny. See all the areas we cover.
Contact us to talk to a solicitor about your claim, or request a case review.
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm
Friday 9am – 5pm
