The latest prosecution following an employee's exposure to vibration injuries through using powered tools has seen a company fined £14,000 with £1,943 costs.
The employee had complained of symptoms of hand-arm-vibration syndrome (HAVS) to his line manager but no action was taken.
In this case, the company involved was UPP (Broadgate Park) Ltd, of Gracechurch Street, London, a facilities management company.
It appeared before Nottingham Magistrates. The court heard how, between 2007 and 2012, an employee of UPP (Broadgate Park) operated mowers, strimmers, and a leaf blower as part of his work for the company. He was regularly exposed to levels of vibration which were above the Exposure Limit Value and Exposure Action Value.
UPP (Broadgate Park) was prosecuted by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and pleaded guilty to contravening Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 5(1) of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.