A pipe manufacturing company has been fined £200,000 for using vibrating tools without proper training to staff. The fine is the latest large penalty following changes to safety sentencing guidelines earlier this year.
Newport Crown Court heard that employees of Asset International Limited reported seven cases of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) between April 2014 and July 2015. The HSE investigation found no sufficient risk assessment or health surveillance had been carried out.
Asset International Limited of Newport was fined a total of £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £27,724 after pleading guilty to safety offences.
HSE inspector Joanne Carter stated after the hearing: “The serious and irreversible risks from Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome caused by work with vibrating tools are well known and guidance has been in place since the early 1990s.
“This case shows there is no excuse for not putting in place a management system which includes risk assessment, control measures, health surveillance and information and training to reduce these risks to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.”
Southdowns Environmental Consultants provides risk assessments, risk management tools and exposure surveys for occupational vibration, noise and dust.
