A company which maintains and repairs aircraft components has been fined £400,000 after workers were exposed to risk from the use of hand-held vibrating tools.
Cardiff Crown Court heard how around 100 employees were exposed to vibration and developed Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) over a period of 22 years. At least 30 employees were exposed to risk of significant harm whilst using orbital sanders, rivet guns, grinders and drills.
A suitable assessment of work activities should have been undertaken and additional controls implemented to reduce exposure to vibration.
Failed to grasp importance of HAVS health surveillance
Employees should have undergone suitable health surveillance to identify symptoms at an early stage of the disease. This would have prevented it from progressing to a disabling condition.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching HSW Act Section 2(1) and was fined £400,000 and ordered to pay over £39,000 in prosecution costs.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Janet Hensey said:
“This was a case of the company completely failing to grasp the importance of HAVS health surveillance. If they had understood why health surveillance was necessary, it would have ensured that it had the right systems in place to monitor worker’s health and the employee’s condition would not have been allowed to develop to a severe and life altering stage”.
