Sandvik Mining and Construction Limited and Sandvik Construction Mobile Crushers and Screeners Limited, both based in Derbyshire, have pleaded guilty to breaching the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and have been fined £12,000 and £280,000 respectively.
The prosecution and fine came following investigations into reported cases of carpel tunnel syndrome and hand arm vibration syndrome amongst the employees. Derby Crown Court was told that employees at both firms were regularly exposed to hand arm vibration through the use of tools that vibrated in the assembly and servicing of crushers and screeners.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the matter found that both firms failed to manage the risk of vibration to employees, failed to carry out suitable assessments of the risk and had not made reasonable estimates of employee's exposure to vibration.
HSE inspector Edward Walker said, "There is a well-known health risk associated with exposure to hand arm vibration and it is important that measures are put in place to manage the risk. Exposure to hand arm vibration can cause debilitating affects which could have been avoided.”
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