A leading social housing provider has been fined £140,000 after two estate assistants were diagnosed with Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) following years of regular exposure to vibrating tools.
Stonewater Limited employed the two men at sites near Tanyard Farm in Coventry between 2018 and 2023. Their roles included extensive grounds maintenance tasks such as grass cutting, hedge trimming, weeding, and litter picking. One of the employees estimated he spent up to 90% of his working day using vibrating equipment such as mowers, strimmers, hedge cutters, and leaf blowers.
HAVS is a painful and often permanent condition that affects the nerves, blood vessels, and joints in the hands and arms. One of the affected workers, Christopher Smith, shared the serious impact the condition has had on his quality of life:
“I have lost my fine motor skills and experience significant difficulty in picking up small objects, using a knife and fork, or even doing up buttons. The pain keeps me up at night. I’m terrified to hold my grandchildren in case I drop them.”
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Stonewater Limited had failed to:
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Carry out a suitable risk assessment for vibration exposure
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Record and monitor exposure levels accurately
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Provide employees with adequate training or information on vibration risks
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Implement a system of health surveillance to detect symptoms early
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. At a hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 14 April 2025, Stonewater Limited was fined £140,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,742.
This case is a stark reminder of the real human impact of poor risk management and the importance of proactive control measures for vibration exposure in the workplace.