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 – 2019, Plymouth City Council failed in its legal duty to comply with legislation even though guidance has been available for employers since 2005.
Plymouth City Council pleaded guilty to breaching the health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The local authority was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay £25,877 in costs at Plymouth Magistrates Court on 29 June 2023.
Increase in HAVS and CTS cases
According to Health and Safety Execution there have been 220 new cases of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome in 2021 and 125 new cases of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in 2021.
As stated by Health and Safety Executive statistics, men are more likely to develop HAVS than women.
Statistics:
- Men: 3,940 cases from 2012 to 2021.
- Women: 10 cases from 2012 to 2021.
Health and Safety statistics also state than men are more likely to develop CTS than women.
Statistics:
- Men: 1,920 cases from 2012 to 2021.
- Women: 115 cases from 2012 to 2021.
More information: Hand-arm vibration in Great Britain – HSE
What is HAVS?
HAVS can affect the nerves causing pins and needles and numbness and can result in reduced strength in the hands. It can also affect vascular components in the hands, causing asymmetrical blanching of the fingers and numbness which occur when exposed to coldness and wetness.
If you operate any sort of machinery at work that vibrates, you run the risk of developing a condition known as hand arm vibration syndrome or HAVS. It is a condition commonly reported, which many workers develop, which include vibration white finger and carpal tunnel syndrome brought on by their field of employment
Resource: Hand arm vibration at work – .GOV
What is CTS?
Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by pressure on a nerve in your wrist. It causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hands and fingers. You can often treat it yourself, but it can take months to get better.
Mostly it occurs when you frequently bend your wrist or grip hard, such as using vibrating tools for work or playing an instrument.
Resource: Carpal tunnel syndrome – NHS
Further reading
Repetitive Strain Injury – Oakwood Solicitors
Vibration Injuries – Oakwood Solicitors
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Liam Hill is a Solicitor and Deputy Head of the Industrial Disease Team, having trained and qualified at Oakwood Solicitors. Liam joined us in 2013 after successfully completing the Legal Practice C…
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