A local council has admitted failing to take steps to protect a worker who developed a severe form of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).

The maintenance worker joined Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council in 1984 and regularly used heavy-duty vibrating equipment, including pneumatic drills and hand-held grinders.

In July 2005, the worker began suffering pain in his hands and was diagnosed with the early stages of the condition. He was recommended for annual assessments but, despite being reassessed in 2006, was not seen again by a doctor until 2009. During this period the council allowed him to operate vibrating equipment on a regular basis. The worker’s health deteriorated to such an extent that he now has difficulty picking up small objects, and his hands become very painful in cold weather.

Following his assessment in 2009, his condition was reported to the HSE who began an investigation. HSE inspector, Chris Goddard, said: “The worker was first diagnosed as developing HAVS in 2005 but the council failed to take any significant action for nearly four years to stop the condition getting worse.

“It should have limited the amount of time he spent using vibrating equipment, or provided alternative tools. Instead, he was allowed to continue with his job without any changes.

“If this action had been taken, the worker’s condition could have been prevented from becoming serious. Instead, he has suffered a permanent loss of movement to his hands.”

The council, which is now part of Cheshire East Council, appeared at South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court in Crewe on 21 January and pleaded guilty to breaching reg. 5(1) and reg. 6(1) of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, for exposing an employee to the risk of vibration without having a suitable risk assessment in place, and failing to reduce or eliminate the risk of exposure. It was fined a total of £5300 and ordered to pay £5860 towards costs.

Following the hearing a spokesman from the council said: “The council pleaded guilty to both charges and accepts the findings of the HSE. However we are pleased that the council’s full cooperation in the investigation and our clean health and safety record was recognised by the court.
 
“It is also important to note that since Cheshire East Council was formed we have been commended by the HSE on our work around hand and arm vibration.”