City fined £200k after grass cutting and arboriculture staff develop hand arm vibration syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome

Plymouth City Council has been fined £200,000 after its failures led to employees developing hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said that during 2017–2019, two council employees developed HAVS and a further four were diagnosed with CTS as a result of prolonged and uncontrolled exposure to hand arm vibration while working in the grass cutting team or when carrying out arboriculture activities.

The HSE’s investigation found that between 2005–2019, Plymouth failed in its legal duty to comply with legislation even though guidance had been available for employers since 2005.

Tbe local authority pleaded guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay £25,877 in costs at Plymouth Magistrates Court on 29 June 2023.

HSE inspector Janet Hensey said: “The fine imposed on Plymouth City Council should underline to everyone carrying out similar activities that the courts, and HSE, take a failure to follow legislation seriously.

“We will not hesitate to take action against companies which do not do all that they can to keep people safe. Exposure to vibration is a recognised health risk with potentially disabling consequences.

“There has been relevant legislation regarding assessing and controlling exposure to vibration since 2005, this was a case of the organisation completely failing to identify the risk to employees when carrying out grass cutting and arboriculture activities.”

Plymouth City Council Chief Executive Tracey Lee said: “We take our health and safety responsibilities very seriously. We fully accept that there were failings in our processes which is why we pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity. We note the Judge’s comments and fully accept the sentence of the court.

“We have already reviewed our processes and as a result, we have put in place new procedures and equipment to prevent something like this from happening again.”

Blake Morgan Solicitor Agent supported HSE with the prosecution.