Rotherham Council fined £60,000 after pothole repair worker suffered vibration injury

A council has been fined £60,000 after a pothole repair worker continued to use power tools for 14 years despite developing problems caused by vibrations.

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard the employee worked in the road maintenance department at Rotherham Council, carrying out tasks including fixing potholes.

Despite being diagnosed with hand arm vibration syndrome in April 2005, he continued to work with tools until 2019.

The council failed to report the man's diagnoses, which is a legal obligation.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that other employees continued to work with vibrating tools after being diagnosed.

Kate Harney, enforcement lawyer for the HSE, said: “Rotherham Council had been exposing employees to the risks arising from the use of vibrating tools for a significant period of time.

“This was also not an isolated incident, with other staff working in the council’s road maintenance division also exposed to risks to their health, due to an unhealthy working culture where these exposures are inadequately monitored."

Prolonged and regular exposure to vibration can cause HAVS, which results in painful and disabling disorders of the nerves, blood supply, joints and muscles of the hands and arms.

Investigators found that recommendations to limit the man's exposure to vibrating tools were ignored.

They also found workers were incentivised to continue using vibrating tools through a bonus scheme and overtime payments.

Workers were allowed to work up to the recommended exposure limit and were only moved to other tasks when their health deteriorated.

Rotherham Council pleaded guilty to failing to ensure workers' health and safety. It was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,775.70.

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