Vector Aerospace fined £50,000 after workers’ health suffers 05 November 2014

Vector Aerospace International has been fined £50,000 plus £2,514 costs after 13 employees were diagnosed with varying degrees of diagnosed with HAVS (hand arm vibration syndrome).

Portsmouth Magistrates were told that the Gosport-based engineering firm had surveyed tools being used by its workers in 2007 and decided that no controls were needed.

Despite later reviewing its risk assessment, that error was not identified and the recognised risks of vibration from around 1,600 tools by 400--450 site employees was never controlled.

HSE (Health and Safety Executive) found that the absence of mitigating measures for the workers led to some being exposed to vibration levels likely to have exceeded the legal limits.

HSE also found that the staff on site using such tools had not been provided with information or training around the risks posed.

The 13 cases were identified in 2013/14 after improved health surveillance was eventually introduced.

"Vector Aerospace had the resources to protect its employees from the well known effects of excessive exposure to vibration, but failed to do so over a significant number of years," comments HSE inspector Alec Ryan.

"HSE's intervention in 2013 was as a result of the company bringing in health surveillance for the first time. Although this identified these cases, it came too late for these workers.

"The company failed to assess the risks and implement the necessary controls. Employers have a duty to provide effective measures to ensure the health of their staff is not seriously or permanently harmed by the work they are asked to do."

Brian Tinham

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Health & Safety Executive

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