Protect workers from hand-arm vibration

There were 215 new cases of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) recorded in Great Britain in 2023.

Following a HSE investigation, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough council was recently fined £60,000 for exposing workers to the risks arising from the use of vibrating tools.

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard the employee worked in the road maintenance department, carrying out tasks including repairing potholes, for more than 20 years, using vibrating tools.

The employee had been subject to regular health surveillance whilst employed by the Council, which had included recommendations on limiting exposure. However despite the report of April 2019, little action was taken to address the issues identified. Only once the HSE investigation had started in late 2019 was the man told to stop using vibrating tools.

The investigation also found that other employees continued to work with vibrating tools after they had been diagnosed.

While a system of Occupational Health surveillance was in place, it was inadequate as there was either no implementation, or inconsistent implementation, of the recommendations and actions to be taken. Recommendations following health surveillance of employees wasn’t acted upon or used to identify risks.

The investigation found that the data used to calculate the vibration exposure grossly underestimated the vibration magnitude of the tools in use, and also relied upon accurate times being entered by staff.  Workers were incentivised to continue using vibrating tools through a bonus scheme and overtime work which inevitably led to high levels of exposure. Workers were allowed to work up to the recommended Exposure Limit value (ELV), and in light of the inaccurate data inevitably worked beyond it on a regular basis.  They were then only moved to other tasks when their health deteriorated.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to Section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, for their failure to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees in accordance with section 2(1) of the Act. They were fined £60,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £5,775.70.

HSE’s hand-arm vibration calculator can assist you in calculating exposures along with guidance on how to use it.

Access the guidance, as well as a link to the calculator here: the hand-arm vibration exposure calculator.

Guidance on how to control risks from exposure to vibration in construction can be found in the CIP Construction Health and Safety Manual.  Sign up for a free trial today.