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.€
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The council spokesman says he is ‘pleased’ and that they have a clean health & safety record when they apparently most definately do not, otherwise this unfortunate employee / victim would not be suffering from HAVS. There is no mention of an apology to the employee or of how they intend to compensate him. The paltry fine is nothing short of an insult as the council tax payers have to subsidise the ineptitude of the council. No one lost their job apart from the employee who will never work again
Very believable complacency!
You wouldn’t believe how difficult it is to convince senior Council Managers and Directors of the need for good H&S management. Where do these people come from?
Jims comments wholeheartedly agreed with.