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Nottingham landlord fined after workers diagnosed with ‘vibration-related ill health’
An East Midlands landlord has been fined £32,000 for breaching health and safety legislation after multiple workers were diagnosed with “vibration-related ill health”.
Nottingham landlord fined after workers diagnosed with ‘vibration-related ill health’ #UKhousingA landlord has been fined £32,000 for breaching health and safety legislation after multiple workers were diagnosed with “vibration-related ill health” #UKhousingThe Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation into Nottingham City Homes (NCH) after receiving more than 10 reports of ill health from workers who had been employed at the social housing provider.
The landlord managed Nottingham City Council’s social housing stock until 2023.
This investigation found that a “large number” of NHC’s employees, including bricklayers, joiners and electricians, were “exposed to vibration” in their daily work due to extensive use of power tools.
The HSE said that despite the dangers such exposure can cause, NCH had not “properly assessed or controlled workers’ exposure to vibration”.
On Monday, NCH pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court. It was fined £32,000 and ordered to pay £6,226 in costs.
The landlord has apologised for the “harm caused” to workers between 2010 and 2023.
The HSE said that prolonged exposure to vibration can result in disorders of the nerves, blood supply, joints and muscles of the hands and arms, which are collectively known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).
HAVS can cause pain, tingling and numbness, while making everyday tasks impossible, according to the health and safety regulator.
The investigation found that NCH had not undertaken sufficient assessment of the risks associated with vibration and that control measures, such as using lower-vibration alternatives or limiting exposure times, had not been properly implemented.
“Tool maintenance and health surveillance arrangements were inadequate, and employees had not received sufficient training on the risks that they faced,” the HSE added.
Tim Nicholson, an inspector at the HSE, said: “The company failed to properly manage this risk which led to employees suffering ill health – the effects of exposure to vibration can be debilitating and once damage is done, it is irreversible.
“There is extensive guidance available that is straightforward to follow and includes calculation tools to assist in deciding what is needed to protect employees.
“Employers should take this case as a reminder that HSE will not hesitate to act against companies which do not do all that they should to keep employees safe.”
A statement from NCH said: “Nottingham City Homes Ltd fully accepts the court decision on the three offences and fine for the historic health and safety failures which happened between 2010 and 2023.
“NCH would like to acknowledge and apologise for the harm caused to any people affected by hand-arm vibration syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of their time in employment with them.
“Despite the transfer of its maintenance services to Nottingham City Council in April 2023, NCH remained committed to supporting the council with the hand-over and sharing information to facilitate improvements in response to the Health and Safety Executive.”
In 2023, Nottingham City Council confirmed that it had closed Nottingham City Homes after it was revealed that cash from the Housing Revenue Account had been wrongly spent.
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