According to Health & Safety laws, all employers are required to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all their employees. There are also specific pieces of regulation which refer to the use of equipment at work, such as PUWER, LOLER and the Supply of Machinery regulations.

Work equipment is almost any equipment which is used while at work including: machines, hand tools and lifting equipment. Using the wrong equipment for the job, faulty equipment, inadequate or no training, and not taking proper precautions can all lead to accidents with work equipment. These accidents can occur as a result of falls, victims being caught in machines, flying objects, poor training or using the wrong equipment.