Firm failed to follow rules on vibration risk

FINED £140,000 AFTER EMPLOYEES DEVELOP DEBILITATING CONDITION

- By HANNAH RICHARDSON

HEALTH and safety failings by a company have left a man with a condition that means he struggles to use a knife and fork and do up buttons.

Christopher Smith, 60, pictured, said hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) also means he has pain which keeps him up at nights.

Mr Smith, and another unnamed man, were left with HAVS following their employment as estate assistants with Whetstone social housing company Stonewater Limited.

The men used lawnmowers, leaf blowers, strimmers and hedge cutters in their roles, exposing them to damaging vibration, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said.

One of the men estimated he used such equipment for 90 per cent of his working day.