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20 November 2019

A property management and development organisation has been fined after a number of employees developed Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome.

Aylesbury Crown Court heard that between 2009 and 2014 five people using vibrating powered tools to carry out grounds maintenance tasks at Places for People Homes Limited sites in Milton Keynes, Rotherham and Hull were affected.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found the company failed to assess or manage the risks associated with vibrating tools and also failed to provide suitable training or health surveillance for its maintenance workers and failed to maintain and replace tools, which increased vibration levels.

Places for People Homes Limited of Cheapside, London pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £600,000 and ordered to pay costs of £13,995.06

Managing risk

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Andrew McGill said: “Companies must manage the risks associated with vibrating tools. Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) can be a significant health risk wherever powered hand tools are used for significant lengths of time.

“HAVS is preventable - but once the damage is done, it is permanent. Damage from HAVS can include the inability to do fine work and cold can trigger painful finger blanching attacks. Health surveillance is vital to detect and respond to early signs of damage.”

Picture: Typical Places for People employees.

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 20 November 2019

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