Workers’ vibration exposure left unaddressed by screening failings

A health-screening company has been prosecuted by the HSE for using unqualified staff to screen the health of workers from 59 companies.
The HSE uncovered the failings after visiting a company that had reported a member of its staff as suffering from Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), which is mainly associated with regular use of hand-held power tools, or handling materials processed by machinery.
The company told inspectors that it used Audio Medical Services Ltd (AMS) to carry out health tests on the member of staff. AMS subsequently referred the worker to his GP, rather than an occupational-health professional. However, the company decided to send the worker to another health-screening company, which identified that the man was showing symptoms of HAVS. On further referral to a specialist, the man was confirmed to be suffering from the condition.
The HSE began an investigation and found that AMS did not have any staff trained in occupational-health training, which meant its employees were not qualified to perform screening for HAVS. Inspectors discovered that AMS had provided similar screenings for 59 companies between 2007 and 2010. The HSE identified numerous examples of employees at these companies not having been properly referred to an occupational-health provider. The failings meant that workers’ exposure to vibration continued, putting individuals at risk of further deterioration and permanent damage.
AMS was issued an Improvement Notice, which required it to contact all 59 companies to recommend that any employee who had been screened visit an occupational-health professional.
HSE inspector Georgina Speake said: “The failures of AMS were totally unacceptable. Companies using AMS thought they were doing the right thing by providing screening for their employees. AMS’s negligent behaviour meant a significant number of workers have been put at risk of worsening their conditions by continuing with their normal work practices when they should have stopped.”
AMS appeared at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court on 28 March and pleaded guilty to breaching s3(1) of the HSWA 1974. It was fined £3200 and ordered to pay £5000 in costs. The company’s managing director, Nick Nickson, carried out some of the screenings despite not being qualified. He appeared at the same hearing and pleaded guilty to breaching s37 of the HSWA and was fined £700.
In mitigation, the firm said it had a previously unblemished safety record since it was founded 25 years ago. It entered an early guilty plea and cooperated with the investigation.
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Workers’ vibration exposure left unaddressed by screening failings
A health-screening company has been prosecuted by the HSE for using unqualified staff to screen the health of workers from 59 companies.
Safety & Health Practitioner
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He (Mr Nickson) knowingly misled fee paying clients, and in that act put people at risk from HAV (regardless of the number he quotes, how many others were misled previously?)
Occupational health is a serious longterm (Chronic) debilitating issue, yet he makes light of it with this statement.
I am appalled by his dissmissive attitude of the risk he has compounded by his action or inaction.
No wonder H&S is poorly regarded and smirked at.
I would just like point out that the case revolved around 4 employees one of which had carpal tunnel and refused treatment..The company has never claimed to be an occupational health consultancy only an industrial screening company.
N Nickson BEM
Well done sir!
How many PQQs did you have to complete before being awarded the commissions for ‘industrial screening’?
(I have never heard of ‘industrial screening’ before, other than in muck screening equipment)
Oh so the fact that the case revolves around 4 employees makes it OK then. How many more did you put at risk??