Legal Liability for Workplace Accidents Caused by Negligence in Bahrain
In high-risk sectors such as construction, contracting, oil & gas, maritime, and manufacturing, workplace accidents can have severe consequences.
When an accident occurs due to negligence, Bahraini law holds the responsible party legally accountable. This accountability can extend to employers, supervisors, contractors, or even third-party suppliers depending on the circumstances.
This blog explains how Bahraini law addresses negligence in workplace accidents, what it means for employers and workers, and how liability is determined.
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What is Negligence in the Workplace?
Negligence occurs when a person or company fails to take reasonable care to prevent harm, and that failure causes injury or damage.
In the workplace, negligence may include:
- Ignoring safety protocols.
- Failing to provide or maintain Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Using faulty machinery without repair.
- Inadequate supervision or safety training.
- Assigning workers to unsafe tasks without proper preparation.
Employer Liability
Under Bahraini law, employers are legally obligated to:
- Provide a safe working environment by eliminating preventable hazards.
- Comply with occupational safety regulations and labour laws.
- Supervise work activities to ensure safety standards are followed.
- Provide medical care and compensation if an injury occurs due to their negligence.
If an employer fails to meet these duties and a worker is injured, the employer may face:
- Civil liability for medical costs, lost wages, and damages.
- Criminal liability if the negligence was severe or intentional.
- Regulatory penalties from the Ministry of Labour or safety authorities.
Worker Negligence
Workers are also expected to follow safety rules and use PPE correctly. If a worker ignores safety instructions and causes their own injury, compensation may be reduced.
However, employers cannot avoid liability entirely if they failed to enforce safety compliance.
Shared Liability
In some cases, liability is shared between the employer and other parties:
- Main contractors may share responsibility with subcontractors if safety rules were ignored on-site.
- Equipment suppliers may be liable if defective tools caused the accident.
Labour Lawyers in Bahrain handling employment disputes.
Example:
At a Bahrain construction site, scaffolding collapsed because it was assembled incorrectly and not inspected. The site supervisor ignored workers’ complaints about instability. Several workers were injured.
The investigation found the employer negligent for failing to enforce inspection protocols, and the supervisor personally liable for ignoring safety warnings. Compensation was awarded to all injured workers.
Best Practices to Avoid Legal Liability
- Employers should conduct daily safety inspections and document them.
- Workers should report hazards immediately in writing.
- Maintain clear records of safety training and PPE distribution.
- Engage qualified supervisors to enforce safety protocols on-site.
