News and Knowledge

City Council fined £200,000 after failing to protect workers

Plymouth City Council has been fined £200,000 after its failures led to two employees developing hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).   Plymouth City Council failed in its legal duty to comply with legislation even though guidance has been available for employers since 2005. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that between 2005…

HSE worried about increasing reports of HAVS in 2021

A report release in November 2022 by the HSE has shown a dramatic increase in the number of new Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) cases in 2021.   To be particular, there were 300 new cases of HAVS reported in addition to 165 new Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and 255 new cases of Depuytrens Contracture. These…

Powys Health Board given £160,000 health and safety fine after employees diagnosed with HAVS

Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) has been fined for ‘serious and systemic failures’, which resulted in employees being diagnosed with Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).    The Welsh Health Board required its employees to routinely operate handheld power tools such as lawn mowers, strimmers, and hedge cutters without carrying out an assessment of the risks from exposure…