When a minority of workplaces that need to manage these risks just may include yours
What happened?
A manufacturer of turbocharger wheels for the automotive industry was inspected by the HSE in relation to the use of vibrating equipment.
They found that they had failed to assess the health risks to employees using vibrating equipment, failed to take steps to control employees’ exposure to vibration and did not provide suitable information, instructions and training to its employees regarding the risks they were exposed to.
The investigation also found the company failed to put in place an adequate health surveillance programme to monitor its workers’ health.
The HSE Inspector said: “Where employees are at risk from vibration exposure, companies have a duty to first assess the work and then consider where they might be able to eliminate vibration entirely. Where this is not possible, employers should put in place controls to reduce exposure, such as selecting low vibration tools and introducing employee rotas to limit exposure times.
Information and training is key to establishing a knowledgeable workforce who use equipment correctly and safely and are aware of the potential health consequences of their work. A health surveillance programme is vital for monitoring the health of anyone who is identified as being at risk of HAVS so an employer can act promptly, should symptoms be identified.”
Legal Outcome
The company pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £120,000 and ordered to pay £12,204.06 in costs.
What can we learn from what happened?
Just a reminder that employers have a duty to protect their staff from the adverse health impact of excessive vibration. There is a Vibration at Work Regulation, but one this occasion the HSE chose to use just the Health and Safety at Work Act for the prosecution.
Vibration breaches that reach the courts are not that common, and their application may only touch a minority of workplace environments, but it is good to remember that it is a health hazard and is worth checking out in case work being carried out comes under its remit.
Source of Information
SHP Online