Health and safety negligence costs firm GBP21,000
August 8, 2008

The firm pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act and Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Bill Leonard, the employee, made a complaint to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) about the excessive use of vibrating tools which had led to him suffering from hand arm vibration syndrome (Havs).
Mr Leonard informed Tews about the problem but the firm failed to act and continued to require him to use vibrating machinery, leaving him with permanent damage to his hands.
By not protecting Mr Leonard's health and safety as well as failing to carry out a thorough risk assessment, the company was liable for his injuries according to Ray Kelly, the HSE inspector.
"The worker in this case has suffered unnecessary, permanent disability because of a failure to manage health and safety at work," he said.
Havs is an irreversible condition affecting nerves and circulation caused by vibration.

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